Petra – He Came, He Saw, He Conquered

Christ is Risen!

In honor of Resurrection Day, I will review one of my favorite songs about the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Petra’s He Came, He Saw, He Conquered.

For those who are unfamiliar with Petra, they are one of the pioneers of Christian Rock and Contemporary Christian Music.  They endured the onslaught of Christians who believed that rock and roll music was of the devil and witnessed to ten’s of thousands through their music.

This title comes from the Latin phrase Veni, vidi, vici, which means “I came, I saw, I conquered”.  It is famously attributed to Julius Caesar who, who, according to Greek 2nd century historian Appian of Alexandria, used this phrase in a letter written to the Roman Senate at approx. 47 BC.  This was after Caesar achieved a swift victory against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela.  Petra repurposes this famous phrase to refer to Christ’s arrival, His physical existence on earth, and His victory over death.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Petra-he-came-he-saw-he-conquered-lyrics.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

It is a retelling of key events that are outlined in the Gospel message: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It speaks of the power that Christ has over the grave and calls us to come and see what God can do.

The concept of man’s sinfulness is thickly veiled.  It is a vital concept that is part of the Gospel message.  I would have liked to see more prominence on man’s brokenness due to lawbreaking.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Most of the lyrics line up with Scripture; however, the concept of sin is hidden and there is one minor historical inaccuracy.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-8 touches on God leaving His throne (Philippians 2:5-8), becoming a man named Jesus Christ (John 1:1, John 1:14, Galatians 4:4, Philippians 2:5-8, and 1 Timothy 3:16), knowing that only through His death and resurrection will mankind be saved (Matthew 26:39-44, Luke 22:42, and Hebrews 9:22).

Lines 9 and 10 refers to the burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-56, and John 19:38-42).

Lines 11 and 12 refers to the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2 touches on earlier concepts of Jesus’ coming to earth and rising from the death.  It also makes mention of His conquering death (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14).

Line 3 refers to the eternality of Christ (John 8:58, Colossians 1:17 (context starts in Colossians 1:13), Hebrews 13:8) and that only He can forgive sins (Mark 2:1-11).

Lines 4 and 5 repeat same themes as lines 1 and 2.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2 refers to the disciples of Jesus, who were afraid for their lives after Jesus was crucified (John 20:19, John 20:26).

Since line 3 is still within the context of Jesus’ interaction with His disciples, the only Bible verse applicable is John 21:19-22, where Jesus calls Peter to follow Him, regardless of the kind of death that Peter would endure (see John 21:18-19).  In application, we are to follow Him in the same manner.  This concept is supported in John 15:1-10, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, and 1 Peter 2:21

Lines 4-6 are historically inaccurate.  According to John 20:1-9, it was Mary Magdalene who told Peter and John of the empty tomb; however, line 4 tells us that Jesus invited them to “come and see what [God] can do”, that is, to see the empty tomb.

Lines 7 and 8 repeat the same resurrection theme.

[Bridge]

Lines 1 and 2 are themes covered in Verse 1, lines 1-6.

Line 3 is a thickly veiled nod to man’s sinful nature, as described in Genesis 3:22, Genesis 8:21, Job 15:14-16, Psalm 14:2-3, Psalm 51:5, Proverbs 22:15, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10-18, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23, and Ephesians 2:2-3.

Line 4 refers to death as the enemy.

Lines 5 and 6 repeat the theme described in Chorus, lines 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those outside the came of Christ should arrive at the same conclusion as to its message.  Christ came into this world and defeated the grave!  However, it does not explain why.  Without clearer lyrics, the unbeliever will be left wondering why this is so important.

Though it is assumed the pronoun “He” points to Jesus, a more explicit reference could be helpful to unbelievers.

Score: 6/10

4. What does this song glorify?

The power of Christ over death.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Despite the hidden descriptor of man’s brokenness, Petra’s He Came, He Saw, He Conquered is one of my all-time favorite songs on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is a celebration of His victory over death and calls us to follow Him.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Artist Info

Track: He Came, He Saw, He Conquered (listen to the song)

Artist: Petra

Album: This Means War!

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 1987

Duration: 4:12

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