By Kenneth Alan Moe
The presumption that Rowling’s use of witchcraft and wizardry in the Harry Potter series indicates a celebration of the devil’s work is patently false. This is refuted not only in the explicit good vs. evil battle that is waged between Harry and Voldemort. Rowling embraces decidedly Christian themes in the willingness of many of her characters to sacrifice themselves for the causes of love and inclusion, even as they are persecuted for their commitment.
In fact, Rowling peppered her series with a large number of biblical allusions.
The following list is arranged by the Harry Potter book (in Roman numerals) and corresponding chapter (in Arabic numerals), followed by the biblical citations. There are only two direct quotations in the series, both appearing in book VII, and these will be identified as such. Because there are so many different editions of these books, with widely varying pagination, page numbers are not included, but armed with the Bible texts and the Harry Potter chapter numbers, finding the allusions should not be difficult for those who search for them.
Since much of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are woven into the fabric of Western culture, some of these allusions may not be intentional by J. K. Rowling, but surely many of them are. In addition to these connections with specific texts, the Harry Potter books are suffused with recurring biblical themes that function more generally. Among these are personal sacrifice, resurrection, life after death, grace, prophecy, messianic longing, the state of the soul, justice, evil, and free will.
The Philosopher’s Stone
I:15 – 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
I:15 – Matthew 5:29-30
I:17 – Matthew 4:8-9
I:17 – Romans 7:15
The Chamber of Secrets
II:8 – Daniel 5
II:9 – Daniel 5
II:10 – John 15:13
II:11 – Exodus 7:9-11, Luke 10:19, Mark 16:18
II:12 – Hebrews 12:1
II:14 – Matthew 7:7-11
II:17 – John 3:16
II:18 – Joshua 24:15, Job 34:4, Psalm 78:67-68
The Prisoner of Azkaban
III:6 – Isaiah 44:25
III:11 – John 13:21-30
III:19 – John 18:2
III:19 – John 15:3
The Goblet of Fire
IV:9 – Exodus 12:13, Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17
IV:9 – Matthew 26:70-72, Mark 14:68-70, Luke 23:34, 57, John 13:38, 18:25-27
IV:33 – Ezekiel 17:18
IV:33 – Matthew 26:15
The Order of the Phoenix
V:11 – Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25
V:22 – Hebrews 12:1
V:27 – Luke 16:31
V:28 – Exodus 1:8
V:34 – Exodus 12:13-14
V:34 – 2 Corinthians 3:14
The Half-Blood Prince
VI:2 – Genesis 22:10-12
VI:2 – Numbers 30:2, Ecclesiastes 5:5
VI:3 – Luke 9:35, 23:35
VI:4 – Matthew 2:1-15
VI:24 – John 2:1-11
VI:26 – Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
VI:30 – Matthew 17:9, 22:32, Luke 7:22, 9:7-8
The Deathly Hallows
VII:Epigraph – 1 Corinthians 13:12
VII:15 – Matthew 14:17-19, Mark 6:41-42, 8:1-10, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-13
VII:16 – Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34 Quote
VII:16 1 – Corinthians 15:26 Quote
VII:16 – Psalm 49:14, Psalm 88:5, Isaiah 38:18
VII:21 – John 20:25
VII:22 – 1 Corinthians 15:26 Quote
VII:28 – Luke 23:35-37
VII:28 – Luke 22:33
VII:29 – Revelation 5:5-6
VII:33 – Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32
VII:34 – John 13:33
VII:34 – Isaiah 53:7, 12, Acts 8:32
VII:35 – Job 1:21
VII:35 – Matthew 27:42, Mark 15:26, Luke 23:28, John 19:19
VII:35 – Luke 23:28
VII:36 – John 20:25
VII:36 – Mark 14:65, John 19:1
VII:36 – Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 27:52-53, Luke 4:18
VII:36 – Mark 16:8
Can you think of any more? Has Harry Potter ever been discussed at your church? Comment below!
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