We all know the story of Luke Skywalker. His journey to save the galaxy is legendary, but it’s his decision to redeem his father, Darth Vader, that truly defines his legacy.
Luke risked everything to pull Vader back from the dark side, proving that even the most notorious figure in the galaxy could find redemption.
But when his nephew, Ben Solo, began turning to the dark side, the story took a very different turn.
Instead of offering the same compassion, Luke considered ending Ben’s life.
I’ve dug into this question, and I think the answer will make sense.
Let’s begin!
Luke’s Intentions Were Never to End Ben’s Life
In The Last Jedi, Luke recounts to Rey the events leading up to Ben Solo’s transformation into Kylo Ren and his fall to the dark side.
The pivotal moment centers around a young Ben sleeping peacefully, only for Luke—his uncle and Jedi Master—to ignite his green lightsaber while standing over him.
It’s a shocking image, one that challenges everything we know about the hero of the galaxy and the man who once redeemed Darth Vader.
But to truly understand what happened, we have to examine both perspectives.
Ben’s Perspective
During Rey’s training with Luke on Ahch-To, she and Kylo Ren connect through the Force, and Kylo reveals his version of events from that fateful night.
To him, his uncle and master—a figure he once trusted—stood over him with a lightsaber, intending to kill him in his sleep.
In Kylo’s mind, this moment wasn’t a misunderstanding or hesitation; it was pure betrayal. This perspective is reinforced in Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren comics.
The story opens with Ben fleeing the ruins of Luke’s Jedi Temple, which had just been destroyed in the chaos. On his escape, he encounters three Jedi returning to the temple.
When they ask him, “Where is Master Luke, Ben?” his response is chilling: “He attacked me. Tried to kill me in my sleep.”
At that moment, Ben Solo isn’t reflecting on nuance or doubt. All he sees is a betrayal by the person who was supposed to protect and guide him.
In his mind, Luke’s intention was clear: his uncle wanted him dead.
And that creates the path of Kylo Ren.
Luke’s Perspective
When Rey presses Luke to “tell the truth” about what happened that fateful night, his recount reveals a far more complex and emotional story.
Luke begins with, “I saw darkness. I’d sensed it building in him. I’d seen it in moments during his training.”
This line alone gives us important insight—Ben had already been battling the pull of the dark side during his training.
It’s possible that Ben had been hearing whispers from the dark side, keeping them to himself, and allowing the darkness to fester in secret.
Luke’s first version of the story already hints at how overwhelmed he felt by the strength of the darkness inside Ben.
But when he finally shares the full truth, we see the pivotal moment in the hut: Luke uses the Force to probe Ben’s mind and glimpses the chaos and darkness within. “It was beyond what I ever imagined,” Luke admits, clearly shaken.
For the first time in years, Luke feels the familiar grip of fear—a fear that Kylo Ren’s rise could destroy everything and everyone he holds dear.
His vulnerability is evident in his trembling expression and tear-filled eyes.
In that fleeting moment of terror, Luke ignites his lightsaber. But as the blade comes to life, the weight of his actions begins to sink in.
He pauses, realizing this is not the path he wants to take. His shame and regret are captured in his own words: “It passed like a fleeting shadow. And I was left with shame, and with consequence. And the last thing I saw were the eyes of a frightened boy whose master had failed him.”
Luke never intended to kill Ben. In that brief moment, fear overtook him, driving the split-second action of igniting his lightsaber.
Almost immediately, Luke’s sense of reason returned, but by then, it was too late—Ben had woken up, and the damage was already done.