Finding the Gospel in the Karate Kid? A Lesson on Hermeneutics

Note: Make sure to read the end of the article.

When we think of The Karate Kid (1984), images of martial arts training, teenage struggles, and the iconic crane kick often come to mind. However, beneath the surface of this classic film lies a profound allegory that mirrors the Gospel story found in the Bible. This might seem surprising at first glance, but a closer examination reveals significant and undeniable parallels between the movie’s plot and characters and the biblical narrative of redemption.

The Garden of Eden and the Move to California

The journey begins with the main character, Daniel LaRusso, and his single mother moving from New Jersey to California. Daniel’s mother enthusiastically describes California as “like the Garden of Eden.” The Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis, is a place of perfection and new beginnings—a paradise where humanity first dwelled in the presence of God. Similarly, California represents a fresh paradise of sorts for Daniel, a place filled with hope and opportunity, echoing the Edenic imagery of being very good. This reference is not merely a throwaway line. By using this phrase, the movie wants us to be prepared for many of the typological connections to the biblical narrative.

The Seed of the Woman: Daniel LaRusso

Daniel emerges as the protagonist—a young man navigating the challenges of adolescence without the presence of a father figure. In the Bible, the “seed of the woman” mentioned in Genesis 3:15 refers to the offspring who will ultimately defeat evil. Daniel, as the son of a single mother, embodies this concept. His struggles against the bullies from the Cobra Kai dojo (more to be said about the snake imagery later) symbolize humanity’s ongoing battle against the forces of evil. Just like the seed of the serpent and the seed of the women are locked in conflict, so Daniel is opposed by those from Cobra Kai.

Mr. Miyagi: The Holy Spirit Figure

Enter Mr. Miyagi, the humble maintenance man who becomes Daniel’s mentor and protector. Mr. Miyagi’s role transcends that of a mere karate instructor; he is a guiding force who imparts wisdom, discipline, and a moral compass. In the biblical allegory, Mr. Miyagi symbolizes the Holy Spirit—a presence that guides, teaches, and empowers believers. His unconventional training methods, such as “wax on, wax off,” teach Daniel patience and trust, mirroring how the Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways to cultivate character and faith.

The Bonsai Tree: The Tree of Life

The symbol of Mr. Miyagi’s dojo is the bonsai tree, a miniature representation of nature’s beauty and resilience. This tree holds significant meaning within the film, symbolizing life through growth, harmony, and balance. In the biblical context, the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden represents eternal life and divine provision. The bonsai tree, therefore, serves as a parallel to the Tree of Life, embodying the idea that the tree represents the way forward to true life.

Cobra Kai: The Seed of the Serpent

Opposing Daniel and Mr. Miyagi is the Cobra Kai dojo, led by the ruthless Sensei John Kreese. The students of Cobra Kai, particularly Johnny Lawrence, embody aggression and a philosophy of dominance—”Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.” In the allegory, Cobra Kai represents the “seed of the serpent” from Genesis 3:15—the embodiment of evil that stands in opposition to the “seed of the woman.” The conflict between Daniel and the Cobra Kai students symbolizes the timeless struggle between the spawn of Satan and those who are from God.

The Bruised Heel and the Wounded Champion

The climax of the film occurs during the All Valley Karate Tournament. Daniel faces off against his adversaries from Cobra Kai, and at a crucial moment, Johnny Lawrence is instructed to “sweep the leg,” resulting in Daniel’s injury. This act of wounding Daniel’s leg parallels the prophecy in Genesis where the serpent will bruise the heel of the woman’s seed. Daniel’s injury represents the setbacks and sufferings that are part of the human experience, especially in the pursuit of righteousness.

Death and Resurrection Imagery

Following his injury, Daniel retreats to the locker room, contemplating forfeiture—a symbolic death of his hopes and dreams. Mr. Miyagi intervenes, performing a healing technique that enables Daniel to return to the competition. This moment mirrors the story of the resurrection, where after a period of despair and seeming defeat, there is a triumphant return by the Messiah himself. Of note, it is Ali Mills, Daniel’s love interest, who announces his return to the arena. This seems to parallel the Gospel accounts, in which women are the first to discover the empty tomb and proclaim Jesus’ resurrection. Just like Ali Mills (a woman) announces Daniel’s return, so the women are the first to announce the resurrection of Jesus.

The Crane Kick: The Cross Crushing the Serpent’s Head

In the film’s iconic moment, Daniel assumes the crane stance—a pose that resembles the crucifixion posture with arms outstretched (surely not a coincidence). With a decisive crane kick, he defeats Johnny Lawrence, delivering a metaphorical blow to the head of the serpent. This has direct parallels to how the cross is the ultimate death blow to the serpent in Scripture. So too the crane kick is the ultimate “death blow” to Cobra Kai. This act is surely typological of the seed of the woman crushing the serpent’s head. The victory is not just physical but moral, showcasing the triumph of good over evil.

The Bride: Ali Mills

Throughout his journey, Daniel is motivated by his relationship with Ali Mills. Ali represents more than a romantic interest; she symbolizes the “bride” in biblical terms. The bride of Christ represents the Church or the collective body of believers. Daniel’s efforts to overcome adversity are fueled by his desire to honor and protect her, paralleling how Christ’s sacrifice is partially driven by love for His Church.

Summary: The Undeniable Connection through Typology

The Karate Kid transcends its genre by weaving a typological or allegorical narrative that reflects the Gospel story. Daniel’s journey mirrors the Messianic experience of facing trials, wilderness temptation, and ultimately conquering the serpent through obedience and sacrifice.

This allegorical reading enriches our understanding of the Gospel itself. It demonstrates how each and every story and movie exemplifies the Gospel and points to Christ. Next time you watch The Karate Kid, remember that you are supposed to be thinking of Jesus.

Author’s Commentary and Sources

The inspiration for this article came indirectly from someone I’ve never met named Sam Emadi. I saw a video of Sam explaining some of the above connections, and I had a fun time laughing at the connections he made.

I realized at some point that this scenario exemplifies what we sometimes do with the Bible. Although it is true that types and patterns do exist in Scripture, we often justify allegorical and typological connections simply because we assume that any similarity must point to some antitype (usually the Gospel or Jesus).

I believe the article above illustrates a very important truth. Just because something makes sense or even works to some extent, it does not mean the director (John Guilbert Avildsen) intended for us to draw the connections we made earlier. In a similar way, we are sometimes guilty of drawing connections between biblical narratives that were probably never intended. When interpreting the Word of God, we must be careful not to read our biases into it.