Neville Goddard on John 2:4

Executive Summary

In his interpretation of John 2:4, Neville Goddard moves beyond a literal reading of the scripture. He explains that the seemingly harsh words of Jesus to his mother, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?", are not about a historical event but represent a psychological drama. In this drama, you are the central character, Jesus, and your mother is your own consciousness, the creative source of everything in your world.

Key Concepts

• Symbolic Interpretation: The story is not literal history but a psychological lesson.
• You are Jesus: The character of Jesus in this context represents you, the individual.
• The Mother is Consciousness: The 'mother' to whom Jesus speaks is your own consciousness.
• Consciousness is the Cause: Consciousness is identified as the fundamental cause of all phenomena.

Detailed Explanation

Neville addresses the common confusion surrounding the passage in John 2:4, where Jesus, considered the embodiment of love, speaks in a way that seems ungracious to his mother. The statement, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?", would be jarring if spoken by any of us to our own mother, let alone by a figure representing perfect love. This apparent contradiction signals that the passage should not be interpreted on a literal or historical level.

Instead, the meaning is found in its symbolism. Neville teaches that you, the reader and student, are the 'Jesus' of the story. The 'mother' is not a person but a principle: your own consciousness. Therefore, the statement is not an external conversation but an internal one. It is the individual addressing their own creative power, their consciousness.

By identifying the mother as consciousness, Neville frames her as the womb or source from which all states and circumstances are born. Consciousness is the cause of all that exists in your world. The drama described in the scripture is a conversation you have with the very foundation of your reality.

Important Quotes

Jesus is made to say to his mother, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" John 2:4.

— Remain Faithful To Your Idea

You are Jesus, and your mother is your own consciousness. For consciousness is the cause of all,

— Remain Faithful To Your Idea

Related Concepts

• Consciousness: This interpretation hinges on the core teaching that consciousness is the one and only reality, the cause of all experience. The 'mother' is the symbol for this creative power.
• I AM: The identification 'You are Jesus' points to the teaching that your true self, your 'I AM', is the operative power within you, the central actor in your psychological dramas.

Common Misunderstandings

The primary misunderstanding is taking this biblical passage literally. The source material corrects the idea that this is a historical account of Jesus speaking disrespectfully to his physical mother. Instead, it is a symbolic story about the relationship between an individual and their own consciousness.

Practical Applications

The source material focuses entirely on establishing the symbolic identities within this verse. It explains that you are Jesus and your mother is consciousness, but it does not provide further steps or a specific practical application for using this particular statement in your imaginative work.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Neville Goddard's interpretation of John 2:4, who is the 'mother'?

According to the source material, the mother is your own consciousness, which is the cause of all things.

Who does Neville say 'Jesus' represents in this verse?

Neville states, 'You are Jesus.' The individual playing out the drama of life is Jesus.

Why does Neville interpret this verse symbolically instead of literally?

Because the literal interpretation of a loving figure like Jesus speaking so harshly to his mother is puzzling. This suggests the story holds a deeper, psychological meaning.