Neville Goddard on John 5:7

Executive Summary

In his teachings, Neville Goddard references the biblical story of the impotent man at the Pool of Bethesda to challenge a purely literal interpretation of scripture. He quotes the man's excuse from John 5:7, "I have no man... to put me into the pool," as an example of a consciousness that looks for salvation from an outside source. Neville then points out that the common reading of the story—attributing the healing to a "strange man who possessed miraculous power"—misses the deeper, psychological truth.

Key Concepts

• The story of the impotent man is used to illustrate a common but incorrect way of reading scripture.
• The man's statement, "I have no man," represents the belief that change or healing depends on an external agent or circumstance.
• Neville contrasts the man's excuse with the immediate command to "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk," implying that the power to be made whole does not depend on outside help.
• The literal interpretation of a historical man with miraculous powers is presented as a misunderstanding of the story's true meaning.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard's interpretation of John 5:7 is centered on its psychological symbolism rather than its literal, historical narrative. He presents the account of the impotent man who had waited for years to be healed at the Pool of Bethesda. When asked if he wants to be made whole, the man replies with an excuse: "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."

This statement, for Neville, is key. It represents a state of consciousness that places the power for change outside of oneself. The man believes his healing is contingent upon two external factors: the magical timing of the "troubled" water and the assistance of another person to get him into it. He is waiting for an outside savior and a perfect external condition.

Neville immediately follows this by pointing out the common, superficial reading of the story. He states that people typically think of Jesus as a "strange man who possessed miraculous power" who simply healed the lame man. By framing it this way, Neville suggests this literal view is the very misunderstanding he wants to correct. The source material sets up a contrast between the man's dependency on external aid and the implied inner power that allows one to simply "Rise... and walk," but does not elaborate further on the nature of that inner power.

Important Quotes

"The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me." John 5:7

— Thinking Fourth-Dimensionally

Related Concepts

The impotent man's declaration, "I have no man," represents a state of consciousness that believes power is external. This stands in direct contrast to Neville's fundamental teaching on the power of "I AM," or one's own wonderful human imagination. While the provided source material does not explicitly mention these concepts, the man's reliance on an outside helper is the antithesis of assuming the wish fulfilled through one's own consciousness. His condition is a perfect metaphor for a person who has not yet discovered that the power they seek resides within themselves.

Common Misunderstandings

The primary misunderstanding, which Neville directly addresses, is interpreting this biblical story as a literal, historical event involving a unique individual with external miraculous abilities. He indicates that thinking a "strange man" performed the healing is missing the psychological lesson of the scripture.

Practical Applications

The practical application implied by this passage is to examine one's own excuses and beliefs about what is needed to bring about a desired change. The student is encouraged to stop looking for an external person, condition, or perfect moment ('a man to put me in the pool') to solve their problems. The story serves as a cautionary tale against the state of consciousness that waits for a savior outside of oneself, instead implicitly pointing toward the need to assume an inner power to 'rise and walk' from one's current state.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Neville, what does the impotent man's excuse in John 5:7 mean?

It represents the state of consciousness that believes salvation, healing, or change depends on an external person or a perfect external circumstance, rather than on one's own inner power.

Does Neville Goddard believe the healing at the pool was a literal, historical event?

The source material strongly suggests he does not. He refers to the idea of a "strange man who possessed miraculous power" as the common, and implicitly incorrect, way of reading the story.

What is the significance of the man saying 'I have no man'?

It symbolizes the flawed belief that we need an intermediary or outside helper to achieve our desires, which is contrary to the principle of relying on one's own consciousness.