Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 1.

Summary

• The Jedi Code emphasizes valuing life, serving the galaxy, and acting with honor.
• The Acolyte's lightsaber rule is from Legends, stating that a Jedi only draws when prepared to kill - which is ignored by many.
• Lightsabers are versatile tools, used for both combat and non-combat purposes by well-trained Jedi in the galaxy.

One of the most obscure parts of the Jedi Code from The Acolyte. The Jedi Code, as its name suggests, is the guiding code of conduct for of the Jedi Order. While the Code’s mantra is by far its most famous element, the Jedi Code is quite vast, detailing the various rules and responsibilities of Jedi, as well as changing throughout the Jedi Order’s long history.

The Jedi Code taught Jedi to value all life, serve the people of the galaxy and the will of the Force as protectors, and act with honor and integrity. Rather infamously, the Jedi Code forbade attachments, making Jedi romances and marriage exceptionally rare for much of the Order’s history. One obscure rule, however, was rarely followed by even the most dogmatic Jedi, yet it was acknowledged in a key moment in The Acolyte episode 1.

Luke Skywalker’s New Jedi Order in the Star Wars Legends continuity revised the Jedi Code in many ways, including allowing Jedi to form romantic relationships.

The Acolyte's Lightsaber Rule Is Straight From Legends

The pilot episode of The Acolyte, “Lost/Found,” has the mysterious assassin Star Wars Legends continuity. The 2013 Star Wars Day-at-a-Time Calendar included some Legends-era lore not found in any other Star Wars materials, including a portion of the Jedi Code that states a Jedi must be prepared to take a life if they ignite their lightsaber.

Star Wars Has Never Followed This Rule Consistently

Fascinatingly, many Jedi ignore this part of the Code, as shown throughout both the Star Wars canon and Legends continuities. A lightsaber is one of the galaxy’s deadliest personal weapons, yet it is only as deadly as a well-trained needs it to be. An experienced Jedi can easily use their lightsaber to simply incapacitate an enemy, as Obi-Wan did when he dismembered Ponda Baba and non-lethally cut Cornelius Evazan in A New Hope. Kenobi similarly only sliced off Zam Wesell’s arm in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, wishing to only capture the bounty hunter.

A lightsaber is one of the galaxy’s deadliest personal weapons, yet it is only as deadly as a well-trained needs it to be.

Jedi also use lightsabers in non-combat situations, with characters like Rey and Kyle Katarn using the weapons as flashlights in dark areas. Anakin Skywalker frequently used his lightsabers as cutting tools, and Luke nearly used his to escape an Ewok net in Return of the Jedi. Of course, the Jedi Code portion may have simply been meant to stress the importance of being combat-ready as a Jedi. As The Acolyte demonstrates, the Jedi still encountered deadly enemies, even in the relative peace of the High Republic era.