by Aaron Wilson
Millions of people considered the final days of Christ this Easter not from the pew—but from the comfort of the couch as they tuned in to NBC’s prime-time musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.
The live airing of the controversial 1970 rock opera was the most-watched show in America this Easter Sunday, drawing more than 9 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings.
While some Christians celebrated this reception, others criticized the musical’s deviation from the biblical narrative.
As Superstar spawns new conversations around the water cooler, here are eight of the most significant biblical inaccuracies you should be aware of in the musical.
1. Jesus didn’t understand his path.
The Jesus in Superstar seems confused about his calling. The audience first gets a taste of this when Christ tells his followers, “If you knew the path we’re riding, you’d understand it less than I.”
But it’s in the musical’s Gethsemane where Jesus’ puzzlement about his mission is most clearly articulated.
Jesus tells God the Father, “Show me there’s a reason for your wanting me to die. You’re far too keen on where and how and not so hot on why.”
Contrast this to Jesus’ actual words in Matthew 20:18-19 and John 3:14-16 where He foretells His death and resurrection and expresses confidence in the purpose of His mission.
2. Mary Magdalene had a romantic interest in Jesus.
Superstar has Mary follow Jesus not so much as the Savior, but as a crush.
In the musical number “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” she tells herself, “He’s just a man. And I’ve had so many men before. In very many ways, he’s just one more…. Should I speak of love? Let my feelings out?”
Other scenes tease a romantic tension between the two, such as when Mary anoints Jesus with oil.
Jesus says, “That feels nice, so nice. Mary, that is good,” to which Judas offers the reprimand, “Yes, I can understand that she amuses but to let her stroke you, kiss your hair, is hardly in your line.”
The Scriptures never indicate Mary followed Jesus out of romantic interest, but because he delivered her from seven demons (Luke 8:2).
3. Jesus had a complex about not being remembered.
A major theme in Superstar is personal legacy. For this reason, the musical’s portrayal of the Last Supper has Jesus exasperated at the thought his disciples aren’t paying him enough attention.
Jesus complains, “I must be mad thinking I’ll be remembered, yes I must be out of my head…. My name will mean nothing 10 minutes after I’m dead!”
According to the Bible, Jesus was never insecure about His glory or motivated to pursue the cross out of fear of irrelevance. Rather, for the eternal joy set before Him, he endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).
4. Jesus “checked out” of sovereignty while He slept.
In the song “Everything’s Alright,” an exhausted Jesus is comforted by Mary’s words, “Try not to get worried…. Let the world turn without you tonight.”
During a reprise of the number, Jesus takes Mary’s advice, saying, “I think I shall sleep well tonight. Let the world turn without me.”
While Jesus clearly got exhausted and sought sleep, Colossians 1:17 also states, “by him [Jesus] all things hold together.” The incarnation didn’t negate Jesus’ sovereign control over the universe.
5. Jesus rejected the hurting and taught self-help.
In Superstar, Jesus is overwhelmed by the crowds seeking healing and pushes them away crying, “There’s too many of you; don’t push me. There’s too little of me; don’t crowd me. Heal yourselves!”
This sounds quite different from the biblical account of Jesus who had compassion on the multitudes and healed all kinds of diseases (Matthew 14:14).
Moreover, the overarching message of the Bible teaches Jesus came precisely because people couldn’t heal themselves.
6. Jesus didn’t choose his path to the cross.
In John 10:17-18, Jesus shows complete authority and willingness to lay down his life and raise it again.
But in Superstar, he appears to argue with God the Father, saying, “Alright, I’ll die! Just watch me die! See how I die! Kill me. Take me now before I change my mind.”
7. Jesus didn’t comprehend the kingdom of God.
The New Testament includes the phrases “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” more than 90 times.
This was one of Christ’s favorite subjects to talk about in the Gospel accounts. However, in Superstar, Jesus expresses uncertainty there is a kingdom for Him.
In the track “Trial Before Pilate/39 Lashes,” Jesus says, “I have got no kingdom in this world. I’m through, through, through. There may be a kingdom for me somewhere, if I only knew.”
8. There was no resurrection.
Perhaps the most significant biblical departure in Superstar is the omission of the resurrection.
While this exclusion is also notable in productions like The Passion of the Christ, Superstar seems to use the omission to punctate the musical with a question mark about Jesus’ identity.
The major chorus in Superstar repeats the line, “Who are you? What have you sacrificed? Jesus Christ Superstar, do you think you’re what they say you are?”
It then leads into the final instrumental track, “John Nineteen Forty-One,” a passage describing Christ’s garden tomb. The curtain closes on a dead Messiah leaving the audience with catchy lyrics questioning who Jesus was and what he accomplished.
Of course, the Gospel accounts end quite differently, with Jesus’ resurrection launching a continued story that leaves no question as to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the reason for His sacrifice.
A Great Question
With more than 9 million people having watched Jesus Christ Superstar this Easter and countless others having listened since the music originated almost five decades ago, the rock opera continues to be a cultural influence on people’s view of Jesus.
As you encounter those who may think differently than you about Jesus due in part to the musical, this list can be a launching pad for conversations about what Scripture actually says about Christ.
Christ has given his disciples the task of helping others answer the same question the rock opera poses in its signature track: “Jesus Christ, who are you?”
Related:
- NBC to Air ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Live in Concert on Easter Sunday
- Why Our TV Shows Might Be Dividing Us
- What to Do When Your Kids Catch Super Mario Cross-Dressing
- ‘Living Biblically’ Sitcom Raises Serious Questions
AARON WILSON (@AaronBWilson26) is associate editor for Facts & Trends.
