Gnosticism in "The Matrix" - The Final Page

Neo - Jesus Christ and the average human being

Obviously Neo represents Jesus Christ. Every "Neo as the Messiah" site instantly spotted the use of his name Mr. Anderson which combines the Greek "Andras" which means man to make "son of man". Also even more obvious is the point where Neo dies and then returns to life. However, what it doesn't explain is why Trinity is often seen as a greater authority than Neo. The team up of Trinity and Neo is explained by the gnostics easily since while the aspect of God which Morpheus represents is unknowable, both Trinity and Neo represent equally important aspects of mankind's salvation ie. Jesus and the holy spirit. Obviously orthodox Christians do not consider the spirit to have a human personality in the same why as the gnostics do so it is harder for them to bring in this view. Here we can see the Holy Trinity, father, holy spirit and son are given a different hierarchy in gnosticism which the allegory of The Matrix depicts.

Neo can also be seen as human beings since (as I been stressing) the story of the Matrix is allegorical. Like all good science fiction the story is not meant to be taken literally and the "war" that we see in "The Matrix" is a representation of the spiritual war which faces the common man. Neo's naming as Thomas is important since Thomas was the disciple who refused to believe that Jesus was alive without both seeing and even feeling it for himself. Neo's struggle to understand his destiny is allegorical for the gnostic struggle for "self-knowledge". When the oracle tells Neo of the phrase "Know Thyself" it is important to note that this phrase originated from Ancient Greece and was illustrated by such stories as that of Archemidies who flow too close to the sun. This phrase was supposed to remind us to be humble before the gods. However, gnosticism preaches a more optimistic meaning, that we have a very respectable place in the realm of the deities if we can only leave behind our attachment to the corruption which imprisons us in this world. The only way to do that is by gaining a special kind of knowledge. Knowledge of one's self.

The way Neo shines like metal when he enters the Matrix could be seen as similar to Jesus' shinkinah (shining with pure bright light) during the Transfiguration.

When Neo gains self-knowledge he is able to see the Matrix as it really is. An illusion and a prison for the spirit.

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