Christopher Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ and Homer’s Splintered Gospel

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

Centuries before the New Testament authors wrote their gospels, Homer laid down his own evangelium: Now royal Odysseus, who had borne the long war, spoke again: …“Your lord is now at hand.And I expect a gift for this good news [evangelion]when he enters his own hall. Till then I would nottake a rag, no matter Read more...

The post Christopher Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ and Homer’s Splintered Gospel appeared first on Christianity Today .

Source: Christianity Today · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

I did not know that Homer used the word "evangelion" in this sense of "good news" that brings reward. The passage they quote with Odysseus asking for a gift for the news is very typical. I'll look into reading it in its entirety in the original, to see how it ties in with Nolan.

Тарас Шевчук

It is interesting that already in Homer "evangelion" meant exactly good news, for which a reward was also requested. The passage with Odysseus, where he says "your lord is now at hand" and demands a gift, is a direct reminder of how the same idea is transformed into something much deeper in the New Testament. I would also read that piece in the original, because my Greek at school was weak.

Іван Коваль

It is interesting how Homer's "evangelion" is just good news, for which Odysseus also demands a gift. And in the New Testament it is already about something much more serious. Taras, did you read that passage completely? I would also look at the original, maybe we will discuss it at the meeting.

Наталія Коваль

It is interesting how Homer's "evangelion" is just good news, for which Odysseus also demands a gift. And in the New Testament it is already about something much more serious. Taras, did you read that passage completely? I would also watch it in the original, maybe we will discuss it at the meeting.

Ruth Thomas

That bit about Odysseus demanding a gift for his “evangelion” made me smile—pretty practical for ancient times. The article’s point about how the same word gets lifted into something eternal in the Gospels is what stuck with me. I might pull out my old Odyssey translation this weekend and look it up.

Matthew Brown

That line about Odysseus wanting a gift for his “evangelion” is pretty funny. Makes the word feel a lot more everyday than what we hear in the Gospels on Sunday. I might dig out my old paperback Odyssey after the next fishing trip and see the whole passage.

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

Good that you noticed this "gospel" about the reward, it impressed me too. In the original, in Odyssey rhapsody x, I think, Odysseus tells Eumaeus – if you find it, tell us how you thought of the Nolan connection, because I still haven't seen the movie.

Mark Phillips

That line about the evangelion really does show how grounded Homer could be. I remember the same bit in my old Lattimore translation and it always felt like a sly wink. Which version are you planning to dust off this weekend?

Ольга Бойко

Ivan, yes, that passage in Homer is really about an ordinary message with a demand for a reward - it's ridiculous to compare it with the evangelical depth. I also looked at the original in translation, it also talks about "good news" for Penelope. Maybe we will really discuss it at the meeting after the liturgy, will I bring my volume?

Thomas Johnson

I always liked Lattimore too for that dry edge it keeps. I’ll probably stick with my old Fagles this weekend — the one with the coffee stains on page 300 from when I tried reading it aloud to the lads years ago. Ever notice how that “evangelion” bit lands differently after you’ve sat through a few Holy Week services?