Superman Jesus Similarities: 24 Revealed

Superman, a modern-day Jesus story? Or are these 24 Superman Jesus similarities just another coincidence?

I am writing this article with not having read any other articles on this subject of Superman Jesus similarities, which I presume there are many, as I believe I cannot be the only one who can see the Superman Jesus similarities. I will be posting the similarities no matter how obscure or bizarre they may seem.

Superman (1978) Movie Plot:

An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home’s first and greatest super-hero.
Source: Superman (1978)

Brief History on Superman:

Superman has been around since 1933 as a short Science Fiction story called “The Reign of the Superman” as an evil character, but was “re-envisioned” by his co-creator Jerry Siegel and Superman then made his comic book début in the new form we know him today in DC Comics in 1938. This makes this story over 80 years old.

Note:

To be fair, we will only be looking for the Superman Jesus similarities in the Christopher Reeve (1978 to 1987) Superman and Superman Returns (2006) movies for this write up. The reason I am adding the Superman Returns 2006 is it is supposed to be a continuation of the Christopher Reeve movies. When necessary the movie part (ie. part 1,2,3,4 or Returns) and time will be indicated beside each point for easy reference.

We are using the following movies only for this write up:

1. Superman (1978) 1
2. Superman (1980) 2
3. Superman (1983) 3
4. Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (1987)
5. Superman Returns (2006)

The Superman Jesus Similarities:

1. Christians believe Jesus was sent by his Father to save man.
   Superman was sent by his Father to save and guide earth’s people. Superman’s Father Jor-El told him “l have sent them you my only son.” (Superman 1978 at 47:35)
2. Jesus was raised by a surrogate (foster) family Joseph and Mary.
   Superman was raised by a surrogate (foster) family Jonathan and Martha Kent.
3. Jesus’ surrogate parents lived a simple life, his Father was a Carpenter.
   Superman’s surrogate parents lived a simple life as Farmers.
4. Jesus began to teach at 30 years old.
   In the 1978 movie Superman was 30 years old when he began to be Superman.
5. Jesus walked on water.
   General Zod walked on water and if Zod can do it Superman can do it as they have the same powers. (Superman 2 1980 at 50:23)
6. Christians believe Jesus cannot die and therefore is immortal.
   Superman’s superpowers include longevity, and regeneration, basically making him immortal.
7. Good vs Evil throughout Jesus’ life.
   Superman is a classic good vs evil story.
8. Jesus’ earth parents believed he was special and had a purpose.
   Superman’s earth parents believed he was special and had a purpose. Jonathan Kent said “…there’s one thing I do know, son and that is you are here for a reason.”(Superman 1978 at 31:04)
9. Jesus was (believed to be) never married.
   Superman was never married at least not in the 1978-1987 movies.
10. The government/authorities were afraid of Jesus and wanted him stopped.
    Superman was feared by the government/authorities only at first, once they realized he was much too powerful and highly moral.
11. Jesus was sent by his Father to live and experience life as a human.
    Superman was sent by his Father to live and experience life as a human. Superman’s Father Jor-El told Superman to “live as one of them [humans]…” (Superman 1978 at 47:06)
12. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world…” John 8:12
    Superman’s Father Jor-El told Superman “They [the humans] only lack the light to show the way” implying that Superman is the light. (Superman 1978 at 47:23)
13. Jesus was God’s only Son.
    Superman’s Father told Superman “I have sent them you my only son.” (Superman 1978 at 47:35)
14. Jesus led his followers and showed them the way.
    Superman’s Father told him to lead. Jor-El told Superman “They [the humans] only lack the light to show the way.” (Superman 1978 at 47:23)
15. Jesus had access to hidden advanced knowledge while on earth.
    Superman also had access to hidden advanced knowledge in his “Fortress of Solitude“.
16. Jesus could speak to his Father even though he is not currently on earth.
    Superman could speak to his Father even though he is not currently on earth. (as seen in Superman 1978 at 45:15)
17. Jesus had a strong relationship with his Mother Mary.
    Superman had a strong relationship with his earth mother Martha.

    

18. Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, etc.
    Superman Performed many superhuman miracles, such as flying, running super fast and laser and x-ray vision, etc.
19. In Catholicism’s Holy Trinity the Father and son are one.
    Superman’s Father (Jor-El) said “The son becomes the Father, and the Father the son.” (Superman 1978 at 17:18)
20. Jesus’ enemy is believed to be named Lucifer.
    Superman’s arch enemy’s name Lex Luthor sounds and looks a lot like Lucifer.
21. The 3 wise man followed a star they saw in the east to find Jesus.
    Baby Superman’s starship that brought him to earth looks like a sun or a star. (Superman 1978 at 19:07)

    

22. Jesus Mother’s name starts with the letter “M” and his Father with “J“. Mary and Joseph.
    Superman’s Mother’s name starts with the letter “M” and his Father with “J“. Jonathan and Martha Kent.
23. Jesus prays and talks to his Father who is commonly referred to as God.
    One of Superman’s enemies is General Zod who is always asking people to kneel before him like an evil god would? His name sounds an awful lot like God and it is even pointed out in the movie. The US president said “Oh God!” and Gen. Zod corrects him with “[No] Zod“. (Superman 2 at 1:18:09)
24. Many people lose faith in Jesus only to have their faith him restored.
    Lois Lane’s Pulitzer Prize reads: Lois Lane Pulitzer Prize For the outstanding achievement in the art of journalism For the editorial entitled “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman” (Superman Returns 2006 at 24:07) Lois Lane identifies Superman as being a savior when she said “The world doesn’t need a savior.” (Superman Returns 2006 at 1:11:07) Superman replies with “You wrote that the world doesn’t need a savior…but every day I hear people crying for one.” (Superman Returns 2006 at 1:13:45) At the end of the movie Lois Lane is writing an article on “Why the world needs Superman.” (Superman Returns 2006 at 2:21:34) this is an example of faith lost then faith restored.

    

Superman Jesus Similarities Summary:

Kal-El (also called Superman or Clark Kent) was born on the planet Krypton, an advanced civilization on the brink of disaster. Because of this, his father Jor-El sent his only son to earth where he could live and experience life as a human with god-like super-powers. Jor-El hoped Kal-El would light the way for the human race.

For the first 30 years of his life, Kal-El (now known as Clark) lived a traditional American life in Kansas, raised on earth by a Mother and Father who were not his own. These new parents were simple farmers. His earth parents believed he was special and was “here for a reason“.

Government/authorities were afraid of the potential effects he would have on humanity. On earth he had access to hidden advanced knowledge the earth’s people did not have, and could even talk to his father though he was not on earth.

At this point Kal-El began a public display of miracles such as flying, running faster than a train, laser vision, x-ray vision and saving people from disasters no human would dare attempt.

During this time 3 of his own people Zod, Non and Ursa locate Kal-El on earth and a great battle was fought between them with Kal-El being the victor. The result of this was, Kal-El changed earth peoples’ beliefs and gave humanity hope or maybe faith?

Now let’s look at Jesus’ life.

A brief Summary of Jesus’ life:

Jesus (also called Christ or the “The Savior“) was born in Israel in a modern civilization under Roman rule over 2000 years ago. His Father (God) sent his only son to earth where he could live and experience life as a human with god-like super-powers. His Father hoped Jesus would light the way for the human race.

For the first 30 years of his life, Jesus lived a traditional Jewish life in Nazareth, raised on earth by a Mother and Father who were not his own. His new Father was a simple carpenter, who taught this skill to his son. His earth parents believed he was special and was “here for a reason“.

The Roman government/authorities were afraid of the potential effects he would have on humanity. On earth he had access to hidden advanced knowledge the earth’s people did not have, and could even talk to his father though he was not on earth.

From the age of 30 Jesus began a public display of miracles such as healing the sick, walking on water and turning water to wine.

At this point he was accused by the Jewish religious leaders of claiming to be the son of a god. He was found guilty and executed by crucifixion by Pontius Pilate. He then rose from the dead and ascended in to heaven as an immortal god.The result of this was, Jesus changed peoples’ beliefs and gave renewed faith in humanity or maybe hope?

Superman Jesus similarities Conclusion:

With so many Superman Jesus similarities found, it is undeniable, the creators of the (1978-1987) Superman movies purposely modeled the movies after the story of Jesus, therefore it is a modern-day Jesus story. The creators of the comic books where Jewish, why did they use the classic Jesus story for Superman?

I do not consider this a full and complete list of Superman Jesus similarities, but this is enough to establish the fact the creators are following a “life of Jesus template“, as most superhero movies do.

Did I miss any Superman Jesus similarities? Post them in the comment section and if significant enough I will add them.

For more Superman Jesus similarities continue to our Man of Steel Jesus Similarities 26 Revealed article.