The Force in Star Wars is a constant source of mysterious origins and a means of measuring power. Darth Vader, Yoda and Luke Skywalker are often argued to be the greatest Force wielders of all time. But each of those arguments looks at the Force as Jedi versus Sith, and the Force is more complex than that. Strength in the Force doesn't depend on factions or allegiances, and it certainly isn't measured only by combat.
In fact, the character who was most likely the strongest in the Force was Bendu, introduced in Star Wars Rebels in Season 3, Episode 1, "Steps Into Shadow." Meeting Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus on the planet Atollon, he was an old, powerful and mysterious being who was deeply entrenched in the ways of the Force but had no desire to take sides in a war of the Light Side against the Dark. As a non-violent Force-sensitive being, Bendu aligned himself with the Force's more spiritual teachings and origins, presenting immense power and control.
The Force Is an Ancient Power Beyond Jedi and Sith
As established in the Mortis arc in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the Force itself had mysterious, ancient origins that predated the Jedi and the Sith. It also was imbued with an innate concept of balance that could not be reduced to lightness over darkness. As evidenced by the ethereal Father, who represented a balance of both sides of the Force, it was more than a weapon and was older than the Jedi could comprehend. The Daughter and the Son represented the Light and Dark Sides of the Force, respectively, and their tragic ends proved that a constant battle for supremacy was moot. Much like the ethereal trio on Mortis, Bendu was also an ancient being that saw the Force as more complete than the Jedi and the Sith. Because of his greater understanding, he was also more deeply connected to it. As he himself explained, "Jedi and Sith wield the Ashla and Bogan. The light and the dark. I'm the one in the middle. The Bendu."
Initially, Bendu was determined to remain neutral. He mentored Kanan into being more peaceful and nuanced, urging the Jedi to delve deeper into himself and the Force. He also evangelized for pacifism to Ezra, cautioning him against the allure of power found in the Sith Holocron. But for all his determination to remain a noncombatant, Grand Admiral Thrawn eventually came to his home planet to destroy the Rebel base there. Bendu had initially refused to take part in the war, but at this point, he was forced to display the full extent of his Force powers.
Bendu's Force Powers Were Shocking and of Mythic Proportions
Against Thrawn, Bendu finally fought back, unleashing the full fury of his power, crying out: "I bring death!" which was soon shown to be an understatement. He ravaged his attackers, demonstrating an immense and yet highly controlled power over the weather systems of the entire planet Atollon, engulfing Rebel and Imperial vehicles alike in lightning strikes and tearing apart death troopers. Wanting to be left in peace, Bendu ordered both the Rebels and the Empire to flee. As the Ghost crew heeded his warning, Bendu called out to Kanan and even hit the Ghost with lightning, though deliberately not hard enough to damage it.
In battle, Bendu's powers hit epic proportions. Though Kanan was already aware of the depths of Bendu's connection to the Force, even he was shocked that Bendu could so easily control all the elements of an entire world. Similar to Tom Bombadil of Lord of the Rings, an ancient and surprisingly all-powerful being who preferred to live a quiet and unknown existence, Bendu's deliberate withdrawal from the rest of the galaxy hid an enigmatic power.
How Bendu Could Stack Up Against Star Wars' Greatest Force Users
So how exactly does Bendu compare to other Force-sensitives greats? Darth Vader was certainly one of the most powerful of all time as the Force's own Chosen One. He displayed powers far beyond other Jedi, but even his immense control of the weak-minded and his ferocity in lightsaber fighting would be outmatched against the resources of an entire system being weaponized by Bendu. Yoda may have been the wisest Jedi master, but he was limited by the Jedi way. Blinded to the growing powers of the Empire and unable to win in a fight against Palpatine one-on-one, he, too, would be no match for Bendu.
Perhaps only Palpatine himself could come close. As he demonstrated throughout all three trilogies, he was educated on both sides of the Force and powerful enough to wield armies at his command. He also demonstrated in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker that he had the power of every Sith within him and was able to perform impressive feats, such as raising a planet's worth of Star Destroyers. But his powers came at a cost and were hindered by his own manipulations, whereas Bendu's power was raw and purely from the Force itself. Though he would have many worthy competitors, Bendu's enigmatic ancient wisdom and strength make him the most powerful Force user.