Here’s When & How Obi-Wan Kenobi Became a Jedi Master

The storyline of Star Wars allowed us to meet Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the greatest Jedi to ever exist in terms of his virtues and overall strength. Of course, he was the powerful Jedi Master who trained the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker, in the ways of the Force. But he trained Anakin while still a Jedi Knight and before being elevated to Jedi Master. So, when and how was Obi-Wan promoted to Jedi Master?

Obi-Wan Kenobi was likely promoted to the role of Jedi Master shortly after the First Battle of Geonosis on 22 BBY. He was also likely promoted to the rank of Jedi Master after he had already completed Anakin’s training as a Jedi Knight and because of his accomplishments during his time as a Jedi Knight.

One of the things that we know about Obi-Wan Kenobi is that he was one of the leading members of the Jedi High Council and was one of their most respected combatants and generals during the Clone Wars. Of course, Obi-Wan’s abilities were impressive but were not the reasons he became a Jedi Master, as he was also disciplined and wise. So, with that said, let’s look at when and how Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Master.

Obi-Wan was promoted after the start of the Clone Wars

If there’s one thing that we know about Obi-Wan Kenobi, it’s that he was one of the most well-respected Jedi of all time as fans love him for being able to hold on to his beliefs throughout his life without ever getting tempted by the dark side.

Of course, he is also known as the Jedi Knight who trained Anakin Skywalker in the ways of the Force. And Obi-Wan was so skilled that he was one of the few combatants capable of holding his own against Darth Vader.

Nevertheless, Obi-Wan was still just a Jedi Knight when he was still training Anakin. He was promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight after the events of ‘Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace’ as the Jedi Council conferred to him the rank of Jedi Knight for his valor and bravery in helping the people of Naboo against the Trade Federation and in his success in defeating Darth Maul, who did the Jedi encounter the first Sith Lord in a long while.

Ten years later, Obi-Wan was seen training Anakin Skywalker in the ways of the Force while the Chosen One was still just a Jedi Padawan. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was just a Jedi Knight ten years after obtaining the rank. But Obi-Wan got caught up in the affairs surrounding the rise of the Separatists while investigating the matter involving the attempted assassination of Senator Padmé Amidala.

After Obi-Wan discovered that Count Dooku and the Separatists were about to start a war against the Republic, he got captured by the enemies. Nevertheless, when he, Anakin, and Padmé were about to get executed, they could escape and fight off their captors. Soon after, the Jedi strike force led by Mace Windu arrived to help them.

This sparked the First Battle of Geonosis, which was the battle that started the entire Clone Wars. Of course, the clone army of the Republic also arrived on Geonosis on time to help the remaining Jedi cornered by the Separatist droid army. This battle concluded in a victory by the Jedi and the Republic as they forced Count Dooku and the Separatists to flee the planet.

Nevertheless, the Clone Wars started right after this battle. Obi-Wan was soon elevated to the rank of Jedi Master just shortly after the start of the Clone Wars on 22 BBY. Meanwhile, his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, was given the rank of Jedi Knight. During the events of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars,’ both of them had already achieved these ranks, as we can conclude that Kenobi and Skywalker were promoted just after the First Battle of Geonosis.

Obi-Wan’s accomplishments spoke for themselves

Of course, while it was never mentioned when or how Obi-Wan Kenobi was promoted to the rank of Jedi Master, many different circumstances lead us to several conclusions regarding why he was given this rank.

First of all, Obi-Wan’s accomplishments spoke for themselves. During the events of ‘Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones,’ Kenobi’s efforts were what allowed him to discover the clone army that the Kaminoans were building on Kamino after deceased Jedi Master Sifo Dyas was said to have been the one who commissioned this grand clone army.

After that, Kenobi uncovered the plot of the Separatists and was able to pre-empt their attempt at striking at the Republic first.

In that regard, Obi-Wan’s heroic efforts allowed the Republic to have an army during the Clone Wars. His discovery also prepared the Jedi and the Republic for the Separatists’ attacks.

Second, Anakin Skywalker had been elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight. This means that Obi-Wan successfully completed his Padawan’s training and proved himself to be a true master after he was able to raise Anakin into a fine Jedi Knight.

Finally, the Jedi Order was actually hampered by the First Battle of Geonosis and lost a lot of Jedi Knights and Masters to the Separatists. The Jedi needed to replenish their ranks, which means they also needed to promote a few names to the rank of Jedi Master.

Of course, Kenobi was one of the names who was worthy of the rank as he was promoted to Jedi Master and was even able to earn himself a spot on the Jedi High Council during the Clone Wars.

Overall, Obi-Wan’s promotion to the rank of Jedi Master was due to a combination of his skills, accomplishments, and the need for the Jedi Order to replenish its ranks. Obi-Wan proved himself worth the rank after he defeated Darth Vader twice and was able to help the eventual fall of the Empire two decades later when he jumpstarted Luke Skywalker’s training as a Jedi.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!