Wait. Who Actually Said, ‘With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’?

“That’s a straight-out, shameless plagiarisation from the words of Jesus himself.”

Max Jeganathan doesn’t want us to keep applying a famous quote from Spider-Man (2002) to the use of power.

“With great power comes great responsibility,” said Uncle Ben to Peter Parker, but its impact continues to extend beyond our screens

Senior Research Fellow at Centre for Public Christianity, Max told Hope Mornings this idea isn’t just for superheroes or world leaders – it’s for all of us.

But credit where credit is due.

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jesus clearly said: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)

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Put that another way: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Right, Uncle Ben?

Power isn’t just ‘top-end of town’

It’s easy to think of power as something held by politicians, billionaires or influencers. But Max brings it closer to home: “Power is simply the capacity or the ability to do something,” he said.

That means power shows up in everyday places – our homes, workplaces, friendships and communities.

And with that comes a gentle but important challenge.

“Coupling the word responsibility with power… is a really important thing for us all to remember,” Max said.

“We tend to do things that work in our short-term self-interest.

“We instinctively would just like to think that those with power act in a way that is responsible.

“But it doesn’t come naturally to us.

“We’re immutably imperfect and we’re broken.

“That’s part of the preface to the Christian message.”

The ripple effect of our choices

Max pointed to global issues – economic pressures, conflict, and leadership decisions – as examples of how power shapes lives on a large scale.

Same principle applies personally.

“One thing you can guarantee is that how you use power will affect other people,” Max said.

“Every act of power has consequences … and has people on the receiving end of that power.”

Even small decisions matter as we juggle family, community, work and much more.

“It’s about thinking of other people, and how what we do with what we’ve got affects others,” Max said.

You can’t opt out

The whole idea of “great power and great responsibility” might feel a bit heavy.

Trying to opt out, though, isn’t an option for any of us.

“Even the decision not to take responsibility is an act of power,” Max said.

Stepping back is a choice — with consequences.

Rather than pointing fingers at those in big positions, Max encourages something closer to home.

Responsibility isn’t just for “them”. It’s for all of us.

Looking to Jesus, not just superheroes

There’s a reason we resonate with stories such as Spider-Man adventures.

“They reflect and speak to far deeper, eternal truths,” Max said.

For Max, the clearest example of “great power and great responsibility” is found in Jesus Christ.

“Jesus is the perfect embodiment of someone with ultimate power [who] took on responsibility by choice.”

Better still, Jesus offers more than an example.

We might strive to emulate characteristics or behaviours of superheroes.

But Jesus “actually offers to transform our capacity to use power responsibly”.

Yes, the very power Jesus exercises can fuel our own ability to do as he does.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

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