Neville Goddard on Matthew 2:1-12 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Matthew 2 in context

Scripture Focus

1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew 2:1-12

Biblical Context

Wise men come seeking the newborn King in Bethlehem; Herod fears the birth; the star leads them to the child, where they worship and offer gifts, then depart by a new route after divine warning.

Neville's Inner Vision

Within you, the journey of Matthew 2:1–12 is the movement within consciousness toward the reigning I AM. The Wise Men are not distant travelers but states of awareness, arriving from the East as ideas that recognize a change in your inner government. Bethlehem—the place of birth—is your heart where a new King awakens. The question, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews?' is your own inquiry to your deeper self: where is the sovereign king now arising in my awareness? The star that leads them is the imagination you have trained to trust; when you align with it, the path lights up and gathers you to the innermost temple where you encounter the Christ within, the King. The gifts poured out—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—are symbolic offerings of your realization: gold as the wealth of truth, frankincense as reverent prayer, myrrh as the anointing that prepares you for a new life. Herod's fear stands for resistance to this inner government; the dream warns you to follow inner guidance rather than external rulers. When you awaken to who you are, you travel a different way.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and imagine a guiding star moving from the east to your heart. Quietly declare, 'I AM the King of my life,' and feel the space widen as you choose to follow the inner star instead of outward fear.