Why Did Some Jedi Disappear and Others Not?

In A New Hope, Darth Vader stepped on Obi-Wan’s robe to make sure he was really gone. It seemed that Vader was confused and not aware of Force Ghosts. In The Clone Wars, Jedi died with their bodies intact. These two intervals set up a compelling question–why did some Jedi disappear while others did not? We have to look into the Star Wars timeline and the nature of Force Ghosts to get our answer. 

Jedi Have Died with Their Bodies Left Behind

If we look at the second reference point first, we realize how Jedi have died in a physical way. We saw this occur in Episode 5 of The Acolyte when Qimir kills several Jedi and they fall to the ground. Chronologically, these events preceded those of A New Hope and The Phantom Menace, occurring about 100 years before the first prequel. 

The same goes for The Clone Wars series where we see Jedi die in a bodily way. In this compilation, Ahsoka tried to help Khalifa before the latter was pierced by a blaster bolt. Khalifa died with Ahsoka promising to help “the others” and lay next to a tree, not disappearing. 

In the case of Ima-Gun Di (also shown above), he charged into battle with his lightsaber in a characteristically Jedi fashion. He took out battle droids and super battle droids, but there were too many of them. Ima-Gun fell to the ground in a valiant effort but did not leave as Obi-Wan did.

These instances and many others came before Obi-Wan’s last moments and provide a sense that this was the customary way that Jedi died. The time before the events of A New Hope tended not to prioritize becoming a Force Ghost. 

The Tricky Nature of Becoming a Force Ghost

The concept of Force Ghosts has become more accepted as the main pathway of the Jedi, but it evolved over the course of planning the movies. Moreover, if and how a Jedi transitions to that status is not automatic. 

One post on this discussion recognizes how “Vader was confused” when Obi-Wan disappeared and “wondered if a trick was being played on him.” Vader was unaware of this possibility and believed Obi-Wan would return to thwart his efforts to bring Luke to the dark side. So, even at this point, Force Ghosts were not universally known, even among Force users. 

Other posts from above reflect how the pathway to becoming “a Force ghost is a technique that has to be learned” and not open knowledge, especially for a Sith lord who would not have the meritable qualities. Becoming a Force Ghost is indeed a tricky task that requires unique training and a pure mindset. 

As fans indicated, Qui-Gon Jinn “became one with the force after his death” and also spoke with Yoda, as depicted in The Clone Wars. We also partially learn about his transition in Revenge of the Sith when Qui-Gon communicated with Yoda and Obi-Wan from “the ‘netherworld of the Force’.”

That “netherworld” Star Wars reference provides a conduit into how “some individuals can train during their lives to become Force Ghosts” and even be able to still “influence the galaxy.” A cornerstone aspect of following this path is that “the heart must be pure”. The Clone Wars likewise revealed some of Qui-Gon’s journey to learn this ability. 

Yet, it was a tricky endeavor to become a Force Ghost AND show a physical form (instead of only expressing a voice). Although Qui-Gon had been “studying ancient Jedi teachings” about becoming a Force Ghost, “his training was incomplete,” and he could “manifest his physical form.” 

However, Qui-Gon was able to teach Obi-Wan and Yoda about how to preserve “their consciousness after death”, “communicate with the living” and appear before fellow Jedi. Fans here have recognized how Obi-Wan pursued this training for “twenty years” while hiding on Tatooine. 

Hence, Obi-Wan attained the ability to become a Force Ghost, and Yoda did too. Yet, other Jedi had not pursued this training and died in a physical way. 

Some Jedi Disappear and Others Do Not

Although we think that all Jedi will become Force Ghosts, this is not the case. Particularly earlier on the timeline, Jedi died in battle and remained in their physical form. Even at the time of A New Hope, the concept of a Force Ghost was at its origins. It took on more meaning from Obi-Wan to Yoda to Qui-Gon.