Jesus-Prometheus

The titans who challenged God.

Jesus Christ is the light bringer, a champion for humanity under the yoke of bondage, the Mosaic Law. Exploring Jesus as a Promethean figure unveils fascinating parallels that bridge the sacred and the mythical. This article seeks to illuminate the connections between Jesus and the Promethean archetype, shedding light on the symbolic resonance that transcends cultural and historical boundaries.

In ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan who defied the gods by stealing fire from Mount Olympus and giving it to humanity. He was punished for his rebellion by being chained to a rock and having an eagle peck out his liver, only for it to regenerate and the cycle to continue.

Prometheus is often considered a symbol of defiance against the established order and a champion of humanity’s progress and freedom. In many ways, Jesus can be considered a Promethean figure, defying the conventional understanding of Yahweh and the Mosaic law and advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate version of spirituality.

In the Hebrew Scriptures, Yahweh is portrayed as a vengeful and wrathful deity, demanding strict obedience and punishing those who disobey. The Mosaic law, with its detailed and often harsh rules and regulations, was the foundation of Israelite society and religious practice. However, Jesus challenged these traditional beliefs and practices, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and inclusivity.

He defied the religious authorities by associating with sinners and outcasts, breaking the Sabbath laws, and challenging the interpretations of the Mosaic law. In doing so, he was echoing the spirit of Prometheus, who defied the gods to bring fire to humanity.

The parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:2-14 is one parable, which I believe has been misinterpreted. The King in this parable does not represent the loving Father in heaven. Rather, he represents a tyrant. Let’s look at the parable in more detail.

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

(Matthew 22:2-14 ESV)

The King invites the upper strata within his kingdom; however, they are reluctant to come. They come up with excuses. One has to pose the question as to why? They must have known that this king was easily offended and quick to anger. When they refuse, the King sends his troops and destroys their cities. He burns the cities to the ground along with all the innocents. This act alone seems to resemble something Stalin would do, rather than the Father in the parable of the prodigal son.

The King then calls his servants to send out an open invitation to all. This may appear to be a nice gesture. The poor and outcasts can come to the royal table. However, there appears to be a sinister motive. The wedding hall is filled and people are eating their fill. Yet, this noble king notices one who has not dressed appropriately.

He singles him out, and calls him “friend”, he asks the poor man how did he enter the royal feast without a wedding garment? The poor man was speechless… This noble king then binds him and casts him out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The most important clue to this parable is the ending statement: “For many are called, but few are chosen”.

What is going on in this parable? The general mistake many Christians make is thinking the parables are easy to understand. Jesus is clear in saying that parables are not meant to be easy to understand, the cross-reference with Isaiah 6 amplifies this notion. The disciples are taught the mysteries, whilst the crowds are taught parables;

‘You shall keep on listening, but shall not understand;
And you shall keep on looking, but shall not perceive;
 For the heart of these people have become dull,
With their ears, they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise, they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their heart, and return,
And I would heal them.’ (Isaiah 6:10)

This parable is about a tyrant, who I believe to be Yahweh. The final statement illustrates how many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus was the one, who was chosen. Moreover, Jesus was cast out of the city walls, he was nailed on the cross on Golgotha, the realm of “outer darkness”.

The Mosaic law condemned Jesus to death, not the sins of the people. Parables about the Kingdom of God turn all wordly institutions upside down. The royal king will come as a servant, which is contrary to our system. Jesus, like Prometheus, came to challenge the usurper Yahweh. The Father of the Jews was a murderer and a liar.

The high places, Asherah poles, and all the hosts of heaven had been removed from the 1st Temple. It was an empty space, a void of nothingness, which is representative of evil. Evil has no ontology. Jesus said that the Jews had made the Temple from a house of prayer into a den of thieves.

Let’s look at some parallels between Jesus and Prometheus.

1. The Gift of Knowledge:
   

   At the core of the Promethean myth is the act of bestowing knowledge upon humanity. Similarly, Jesus, in his teachings, shared profound insights into morality, compassion, and the nature of existence. The Sermon on the Mount, with its emphasis on love, forgiveness, and spiritual enlightenment, mirrors the Promethean gift of fire, representing the transformative power of knowledge.
   

2. Suffering for Humanity:
   

   Both Jesus and Prometheus endured immense suffering for the sake of humanity. Prometheus faced eternal torment for stealing fire from the gods, while Jesus, according to Christian doctrine, bore the weight of the Law on the cross. The theme of sacrificial suffering for the betterment of others weaves a common thread through these narratives, highlighting a profound sense of compassion and selflessness.
   

3. Champion of Humanity:
   

   Prometheus is often portrayed as a champion of humanity, defying the oppressive order of the gods to empower mortals. Similarly, Jesus is celebrated as the saviour who came to free humanity from the bondage of Yahweh and his Mosaic Law. Both figures challenge established norms and offer a path to salvation, embodying the archetype of the divine rebel who seeks to uplift and liberate humanity.
   

4. Bringing Light to Darkness:
   

   The Promethean act of stealing fire is synonymous with bringing illumination to the darkness of ignorance. Likewise, Jesus is frequently referred to as the “Light of the World” in Christian theology. The metaphorical journey from darkness to light, from ignorance to enlightenment, is a shared narrative motif that underscores the transformative impact of these mythical and religious figures.
   

5. Eternal Legacy:
   

   The enduring legacy of both Jesus and Prometheus is evident in their lasting influence on human culture. From art and literature to philosophy and ethics, their stories continue to inspire and captivate. Examining Jesus through the Promethean lens enriches our understanding of the cultural archetypes that shape our collective consciousness.

Ultimately, Jesus’ defiance of Yahweh and the Mosaic law led to his crucifixion outside the city walls. In the Gospel of Matthew (22:1-14), Jesus ends the parable of the wedding feast by stating, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” This can be considered a reflection of Jesus’ own fate; he was called to bring the message of the kingdom of God to the people, but ultimately, only a few chose to follow him, leading to his rejection and crucifixion. In this sense, Jesus can be seen as a Promethean figure, who defied the established order to bring light and freedom to humanity, even at great personal cost.