Neville Goddard on John 18:39

Executive Summary

Neville uses the scriptural account of the crowd choosing Barabbas over Jesus to illustrate the workings of a fundamental law. In this story, Pilate is not a man with free will but a judge bound to interpret and execute a law that must give the people what they request. The crowd's demand dictates the outcome, demonstrating a principle where choice is supreme and must be honored by the law.

Key Concepts

• The story of Pilate, Jesus, and Barabbas is presented as a parable of a law.
• Pilate represents a judge who only interprets and carries out this law.
• The judge has no personal choice or power to go against the request of the people.
• The law dictates that the people must be given that which they request.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard explains the events of John 18:39-40, where a crowd clamors for the life of Jesus, as a powerful illustration of an impersonal law. The scene is set at Passover, where a custom exists to release one prisoner. When Pilate offers to release Jesus, the King of the Jews, the crowd cries out for Barabbas, a robber, instead.

According to this interpretation, Pilate is not acting as a man with authority to make his own decision. He is portrayed as a judge whose sole function is to interpret and apply the law. The source material emphasizes that Pilate "had no choice in the matter." He could not release Jesus against the wishes of the crowd because the law he served was bound to their request.

The central principle revealed is that the people must be given what they ask for. The law is absolute in this regard. Pilate's actions—releasing Barabbas and giving Jesus over to be crucified—are not his own will but the necessary fulfillment of the crowd's demand. The story serves to show that the desires and demands of the people are the force that the law must obey.

Important Quotes

Pilate had no choice in the matter, he was only a judge interpreting law, and this was the law.

— Assumptions Harden Into Fact

The people had to be given that which they requested.

— How To Manifest Your Desires

Pilate could not release Jesus against the wishes of the crowd, and so he released Barabbas and gave unto them Jesus to be crucified.

— Assumptions Harden Into Fact

Related Concepts

This interpretation highlights a principle where the request or demand of consciousness (represented by the crowd) determines the outcome. The 'law' described operates impersonally, much like the Law of Assumption, by fulfilling the dominant choice or desire that is impressed upon it. The story underscores the power of what one consistently desires or requests from life.

Common Misunderstandings

The focus of this teaching is not on the historical figures of Pilate, Jesus, or Barabbas. Instead, the story is used to illustrate the mechanics of a law where the choice of the people dictates the outcome, and the 'judge' is merely the executor of that choice.

Practical Applications

The practical lesson is to become aware of what you, within your own consciousness, are requesting. The law dictates that your dominant request must be granted, just as the crowd's demand for Barabbas was fulfilled. This places the responsibility for outcomes on the one making the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Neville's interpretation, what is the role of Pilate?

Pilate's role is that of a judge who merely interprets and executes a law. He is described as having no choice but to grant what the people request.

What does this story reveal about the law?

It reveals a law that is bound to the wishes of the people. According to the teaching, this law dictates that the people must be given that which they have requested.