In 1966, John Lennon boasted that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus and that “Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary,” setting of a spiritual controversy that follows the band to this day.
But the UK Telegraph now reports that an interview Lennon did in 1969 with Ken Seymour of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been made public, and in it Lennon says that his comments were misinterpreted, and that, in fact, he was one of Christ’s “biggest fans.”

“If the Beatles get on the side of Christ, which they always were,” Lennon told Seymour, “and let people know that, then maybe the churches won’t be full, but there’ll be a lot of Christians dancing in the dance halls. Whatever they celebrate, God and Christ, I don’t think it matters as long as they’re aware of Him and His message.”
His comment about the Beatles being bigger than Christ, he explains, was actually a commentary about the band’s influence over youth, as opposed to Christ’s. “Now I wasn’t saying that was a good idea, ‘cos I’m one of Christ’s biggest fans,” he said. “And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ’s message, then that’s what we’re here to do.”
This, of course, from a man who sought spirituality in every avenue, but it is great to hear his comments, even if it is three decades after his death. Maybe he really did believe, and if so, he wouldn’t be the first person to point people to Jesus, posthumously.
What do you think? Does this new interview shed any light onto the “We’re bigger than Jesus” comments Lennon made in 1966? Does it change your views of the Beatles or their spiritual example?