Neville Goddard on Luke 2:21-38 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Luke 2 in context

Scripture Focus

21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:21-38

Biblical Context

Luke 2:21-38 portrays Jesus' presentation at the temple, where Simeon and Anna proclaim him as salvation and a light to all people. Their testimonies point to how inner revelations reveal the thoughts of the heart and set the stage for the rise and fall of many.

Neville's Inner Vision

To me, Luke 2:21-38 reads as the inner rites of awakening. Circumcision and purification are not external acts only; they mark the mind’s decision to open, to stop identifying with the old self, and to name the newborn Christ within as Jesus—the salvation already prepared in the heart of all people. Simeon, a man of steady faith, lives by the Spirit, and his certainty that he shall not die before seeing the Christ is the inner assurance that awareness recognizes itself before appearance fades. He comes by the Spirit into the temple—so you, too, are guided by inner impulse to enter stillness and acknowledge the Lord’s Christ. When he blesses Mary, he speaks of a sign that will be spoken against; this is the inner recognition that your state of consciousness will be tested, yet its truth endures. Anna embodies unwavering devotion and streams of grateful recognition; her testimony shows that persistent inner attention becomes outward witness. The prophecy of rising and falling signals that as your heart awakens, thoughts are revealed and rearranged by love.

Practice This Now

In a quiet moment, assume the stance of Simeon—have seen the Christ within—and feel the released peace as you bless the inner child. Whisper, 'Mine eyes have seen thy salvation' and let that inner witness settle as guidance and light for your days.