Neville Goddard on Matthew 13:18-23 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Matthew 13 in context

Scripture Focus

18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:18-23

Biblical Context

The parable describes four inner soils: the way side, stony ground, among thorns, and good ground; only the good ground bears fruit as the inner state supports the word's growth.

Neville's Inner Vision

All the seeds are the one Word, and the soil is your present state of consciousness. When you hear the kingdom word, a memory of your true self stirs; if you do not understand it, doubt—call it the wicked one—snatches what was sown because you have not claimed it with inward seeing. The way-side ground is the mind listening without interior meaning; the seed seems to travel nowhere and vanishes. The stony ground is quick joy without root, so tribulation or persecution exposes the lack of inner steadfastness. The thorny ground is the mind distracted by cares and the deceitfulness of riches, so the word is choked and unfruitful. The good ground is the disciplined heart that understands and keeps the word, and it yields fruit—some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty—according to the depth of your inner alignment. The Kingdom is within, a living state of awareness through which you revise the senses and allow reality to respond to your assumed truth. Persist in the feeling of the wish fulfilled, and the outer scene follows.

Practice This Now

Choose one seed you want to bear fruit in your life. Assume the truth now: I understand the Word and it takes root in me, and feel it real for a few minutes, then carry that certainty into daily life.