The Matrix trilogy is a science-fiction story-line produced and written by brothers Larry and Andy Wakowski. This sci-fi thriller is not only entertaining, but philosophical. Inside the shell of martial arts, guns, and computers is a world full of allusions. The Matrix references the Bible and the mysteries of the Christian faith on numerous occasions. The films references to the spiritual world intrigue viewers and trigger discussion on what things in The Matrix actually represent.
In the film, mankind has been “plugged in” to a computer system where stimuli are delivered to their brains in order to keep them enslaved, providing energy for a Machine City. A group of freedom fighters have been “unplugged” from the matrix, and they battle machines to free their race.
Biblical Parallels in Characterization
The team that “unplugs” Neo (Keanu Reeves) from the matrix is comprised of some pivotal characters. First, the captain of the hovercraft-Nebuchadnezzar, is Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburn). He is the man who proclaims the message of Neo’s arrival. The name “morpheus” means “he who forms” and the ancient Greek god Morpheus was able to alter dreams and realities, and even wake people up. By design, Morpheus is the one to wake Neo up to the real world.
Morpheus’ parallel in the Bible would undoubtedly be John the Baptist. In the Bible, John heralds the arrival of Jesus to the world. The scene in which Neo is “unplugged” consists of a tube that Neo falls through into water. The water represents the baptism of Christ, as facilitated by John the Baptist in the Bible. Morpheus also is told by the Oracle (a prophesying woman in The Matrix who represents Biblical prophets) that he will be the person who will free, the “One” or Neo.
Another freedom fighter who was there to “unplug” Neo is Trinity (Carrie Ann-Moss). Of course, the name Trinity has connotations to the Christian faith. It is a word that symbolizes the embodiment of a three-in-one Godhead. Trinity may represent the Mother Mary, or Mary Magdalene, because of her love for Neo. She could represent the Holy Spirit, because many people are brought to Neo by her. It is unclear what the Wakowski brothers aim was in the character Trinity, but she does carry with her many biblical themes.
Cypher (Joe Pantoliano) is another important character. Cypher betrays his crew and gives up Morpheus to the Agents. Of course, Cypher is parallel to Judas of the Bible. Cinematically, Cypher is seen with red light reflecting off his sunglasses, creating the image of being a tainted character. In the actual betrayal scene, Cypher refers to himself as “the messenger,”a name commonly used for Satan in scripture.
Agent Smith or Agent Sin?
Although not a part of the resistance against the machines, another essential character is Agent Smith. From the beginning of the movie, Smith is a leader of the Agents and a vital part to the control of mankind. Smith says in the second installment of The Matrix that he is Neo’s foil, or opposite. Smith’s parallel character in the Bible is the Anti-Christ, the Accuser, or Satan. At the end of the trilogy, Neo and Smith have a face-off ending in the defeat of Smith and the noble self-sacrifice of Neo. Just as sin controls mankind and Jesus is the freedom in Christian belief, so Smith controls the matrix and Neo sets people free from it. Just as Satan would be the overseer of sin, so Smith is the overseer of the matrix.
Neo, Savior of the World
Neo's character is the most profound parallel to the Bible. Thomas Anderson is the character in the movie whose alias is “Neo”. “Ander” in Greek means “Man” and his surname could be interpreted as “Son of Man”, a title held by Christ in the Bible.
Neo is the Christ-figure in The Matrix sent to liberate men from their fallen and enslaved state. He is heralded by Morpheus and other believers as the “One.” Neo (Christ) sets humans free from the matrix (sin) as it is controlled by Smith (Satan).
Neo has a resurrection scene at the end of the first installment of The Matrix. In this scene he is killed by Smith, and his coming back to life serves as a testament to his power, and sets the stage for Neo’s final sacrifice at the end of the third movie. It is the scene at the end of the trilogy when Neo makes his Christ-like death. After this sacrifice, Neo is lifted into the sky, the same way one might describe Christ’s resurrection.
The Wakowski brothers ingeniously wove together their film to include a thrilling science fiction plot and also thematic strands to the Bible. It is clear that these strands were purposeful and creative. It is this second-level understanding that makes The Matrix not only a fun exciting movie, but a long-lasting classic with philosophical themes.
Other Miscellaneous Biblical References
- Neo is followed by disciples that he has “set free,” just as Christ is described in the Bible.
- Morpheus’ ship, the “Nebuchadnezzar” is named after a biblical king who dreamt of the end times. A plague aboard the ship bears the words “Mark III, No. 11” Mark 3:11 is a biblical verse claiming Jesus the Son of God.
- Agent Smith’s license plate reads IS5416, meaning Isaiah 54:16; “See it is I who have created a smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon fit for its purpose; I have also created the ravager to destroy.”
- Zion is the last human city on earth, paralleling the Zion of the Bible.
Sources:
Ford, James. “Journal of Religion and Film: Buddhism, Christianity and the Matrix: The Dialectic of Myth-Making in Contemporary Cinema.” Last updated October 2000. Accessed November 21 2006.
“Have You Seen the Matrix Films?” Accessed October 23, 2006.
“The Matrix Trilogy Study Guide.” Last updated 2006. Accessed November 21 2006.
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