Before Palpatine enacted Order 66 and wiped out the Jedi Order, there were thousands of Jedi scattered across the Star Wars galaxy. When audiences were first introduced to the Jedi in George Lucas' original Star Wars movie, they were given a small glimpse into what the galaxy looked like before the Empire reigned supreme. That included the Jedi Knights being the protectors of peace and justice, but throughout the original trilogy, only a handful of them appeared on-screen - namely Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda.

Of course, the reason only a small number of Jedi were alive in the original trilogy - not to mention why they were in hiding - is because of Emperor Palpatine and his vengeful plan to destroy the Jedi Order in its entirety. Using the Republic's clone troopers (by implementing inhibitor chips that forced them to comply with his orders), Palpatine had the clones kill their Jedi generals at the very end of the Clone Wars. Some Jedi survived, though, and they lived out their days either in hiding or fighting alongside the Rebellion.

Related: Star Wars: Clone Wars Retcons How Ahsoka Survives Order 66

But before that happened, the Jedi were leading the Clone Wars against the Separatists and numbered in the thousands. Exactly how many Jedi were alive during that time has never been revealed. However, in Star Wars Rebels season 1, episode 9, "Path of the Jedi", Kanan Jarrus tells Ezra Bridger that when he was a Padawan, there were approximately 10,000 Jedi Knights in the galaxy. That number may seem higher than expected considering that only a few dozen (maximum a hundred) were seen roaming around in the prequel trilogy, but it actually makes sense.

Ahsoka and Order 66 in Clone Wars

In Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Mace Windu tells Palpatine that the Jedi were "keepers of the peace, not soldiers." The implication was that they couldn't fight the Separatists for the Republic on their own; there simply weren't enough of them to do so - and he was right. Given that the Star Wars galaxy consists of approximately 3.2 million planets - each with living beings - among billions of stars, 10,000 Jedi wouldn't be enough to defend each planet against the droid army. If those numbers were exact, then that would mean one Jedi would have to protect 320 planets on their own. It wasn't possible.

When the clones came in, they saved the Republic - but in doing in their duty, they were forced to kill their Jedi leaders as well. Only a dozen or so Force users and Jedi survived Order 66 in Star Wars canon, which means thousands were killed in a short span of time in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Knowing that gives more meaning to Yoda appearing so distraught and clutching his chest while on Kashyyyk; he was feeling each death through the Force in quick succession.

Next: Star Wars: Every Jedi Who Was Killed By Order 66 (In Canon)