Neville Goddard on Matthew 3:1-17 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Matthew 3 in context

Scripture Focus

1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:1-17

Biblical Context

John the Baptist proclaims repentance because the kingdom of heaven is near. Jesus comes to be baptized, the Spirit descends, and a heavenly voice proclaims the beloved Son.

Neville's Inner Vision

In this scene, John is the still inner voice calling you to repent, which means to turn your attention from old stories and identities to the I AM that is always at hand. The kingdom of heaven is not distant; it is the light of awareness already present in your mind, waiting for you to recognize it. The axe laid to the root of the trees invites you to prune beliefs that pretend to govern you and to surrender to your true state. The warning to the Pharisees illustrates the danger of clinging to form rather than inner state. When Jesus is baptized and the Spirit descends like a dove, imagine your own awakening as a gentle, assured presence settling on you and declaring, This is the beloved Son, in whom you are well pleased. The call is to align with righteousness by feeling as if your life already reflects divine order, living from the I AM rather than the old narrative of fear.