Neville Goddard on Matthew 2:13-23 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Matthew 2 in context

Scripture Focus

13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2:13-23

Biblical Context

Joseph is warned in a dream to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape Herod. After Herod dies, they return to Israel and settle in Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy.

Neville's Inner Vision

To the reader, the dream-angel is the I AM speaking within. The flight into Egypt is not merely geographic movement but a retreat of consciousness to a safeguarded inner state where the newborn sense of self is protected from fear and external tumult. The command to arise and depart represents the moment you align with inner guidance, leaving the noise of the world behind until the word of truth is spoken. Herod’s rage and the command to kill the children symbolize the old beliefs and fears that threaten your new creation; yet you do not confront them with force, you outgrow them by remaining faithful to the higher state. When the word returns, you rise and return to the land of Israel—your true home in consciousness—culminating in Nazareth as the humble place where your true nature is recognized. Thus, the events are demonstrations of consciousness at work: what you accept in imagination becomes your outward world, and your reintegration marks the realization of your divine state.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and imagine a quiet inner Egypt where you are safe and watched over. Hear an inner directive to 'arise' and return to your Israel; affirm, 'I am led by the I AM' and feel the calm certainty of providence.