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4 Things to Know about The Chosen: Season 3 Movie

• Michael Foust CrosswalkHeadlines Contributor
• Updated Nov 18, 2022

If you’ve never watched The Chosen – the multi-season television series about Jesus and His followers – there’s a good chance someone around you has.

An estimated 100 million people worldwide have seen it, with total views now topping 440 million. The Chosen is, perhaps, the most popular faith-based media project since 2004’s The Passion of the Christ .

And now it’s on the big screen.

The Chosen: Season 3 (Episodes 1 and 2) gives moviegoers the opportunity to experience the story on an epic scale. It also gives fans a chance to watch the first two episodes of the new season before it lands on The Chosen app.

Season 3 picks up with Jesus preparing to send the disciples out in pairs of two. ( Mark 6:7 .)

Here are four things you should know about  The Chosen movie:

Photo courtesy: ©The Chosen, used with permission.

1. It’s What Our Divided Culture Needs

The Chosen is the gospel-infused tonic our polarized, hate-filled, name-calling culture needs. Love, grace and mercy fill every inch of the plot.

Jesus’ followers argue ... yet quickly reconcile. They are threatened by the Roman authorities … but respond with kindness. They place the needs of others first … and their own needs last.

In one scene, a disciple is ostracized by his own parents, only to be welcomed back into the fold when they, too, are transformed by the words of Jesus.

In another scene, a different disciple approaches Mary Magdalene after becoming convicted by Jesus’ teachings on love, asking her to forgive him for the hurtful words he had spoken.

2. It Includes Judas, John the Baptist and Much More

The character of Judas gets his first major on-screen action. So does John the Baptist (more on that below).

Of course, we know Judas as the traitor. (Every reference to him in Scripture calls him as such.) Jesus’ followers, though, apparently were not suspicious ( John 13:27-30 ). The Chosen presents Judas as an energetic follower of Christ who is willing to walk away from his comfortable life in order to follow Jesus. (“I believe You are going to change the world,” he tells Jesus.)

The film includes several major New Testament stories and events: Jesus’ Beatitudes sermon, Jesus’ citing the Lord’s Prayer , and Jesus’ sending out the disciples among them.

The films take artistic liberties while remaining true to Scripture. It also – smartly – often places the words of the Old Testament in the mouths of Jesus and the disciples. (We hear Jesus cite Numbers 6:24-26 “the Lord bless you and keep you,” and the disciples cite Psalm 3 , “You, oh Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head” – citations that technically are not in the New Testament but are plausible.)

Photo courtesy: ©The Chosen

3. It Was Filmed at a New Set in Texas

The movie was filmed at the series’ new 900-acre home in Midlothian, Texas, which includes a village that looks like it was teleported straight out of first-century Judea. The vintage-like village has a food market. It has a blacksmith shop. It has stables. It also has the homes of Peter, Matthew, Andrew and many others.

The new set has helped improve the on-screen product, the cast says. Paras Patel, who portrays Matthew, said the set allows actors and actresses to easily picture the first-century world for their roles.

“You just thrice as an artist. … You’re living the moment, you’re [smelling] the smells,” Patel told Crosswalk. “… The set is magnificent.”

Said Jordan Walker Ross, who portrays Little James, “It feels so real. … It really helps.”

The set was built in partnership with the Salvation Army and its Camp Hoblitzelle, an adjacent property.

4. It Packs an Emotional Punch

The Chosen series is known for scenes that tug at your heart, convict your soul and even make you cry. The movie has that, with three or four of the most powerful scenes in the project’s history.

“Little James,” who was born with a limp, asks Jesus why he is being asked to heal others when he himself has not been healed by Christ. (Little James is told that he was chosen to be a disciple – in part – because of his disability.)

The 12 disciples sit alone in a room with their leader, Jesus, as He calmly yet confidently sends them out two-by-two and tells them they may die for their convictions. (“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” Jesus says.)

The film’s final two minutes had guests at the Atlanta premiere crying. (If you’re curious, it’s not necessary to watch the first two seasons in order to follow and enjoy the movie, which spans about two hours.)

Millions worldwide have watched the series. When you watch the movie, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. The script is brilliant – and the accompanying musical score matches every scene perfectly.

It’s one of the best films of the year.

The Chosen is not rated but likely would garner a PG rating. It contains no violence or coarse language. We see a married couple kiss and embrace (Peter and Eden). Seconds later, their kissing is interrupted when another disciple knocks on the door and says he needs to sleep at their place. He also implies he knows what is happening between Peter and Eden (he’ll put a pillow over his ears, he says).

Entertainment rating : 5 out of 5 stars.

Family-friendly rating : 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press ,  Christianity Today ,  The Christian Post , the   Leaf-Chronicle , the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

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The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions and Review

The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions Written by the Elf . This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.

Know Before You Watch The Chosen Season 3:

The chosen season 3 review, the chosen season 3 summary, the chosen season 3 discussion questions and bible study, episode 1 – homecoming, episode 2 – two by two, episode 3 – physician, heal yourself, episode 4- clean: part 1, episode 5- clean: part 2, episode 6- intensity in tent city, episode 7- ears to hear, episode 8- finale, favorite the chosen season 3 quotes.

Show Name : The Chosen Season 3 ( Season 1 , Season 2 , and Season 4 here) Rating : Not Rated (We would say G/PG) Age Suggestion : 8 and up Episode Length : ~50 minutes per episode Where to Watch : The first 2 episodes are being released in theaters beginning November 18th. They will soon after be released weekly on the (free) Chosen App. You can also find just season 1 on Youtube, Pure Flix, and  Peacock . Warnings : This season is not as family friendly as the first two . Viewers need to be aware that there is a little more blood, violence, talk of violence, sexual innuendo, flashing strobe like images, and depictions of child death, illness, and loss. We do not believe it was over the top. This is all done very well and in the context of the story, but might be triggering to those struggling with loss and might not be appropriate for younger viewers. Some of the content might be triggering for victims of abuse and parents should be aware that there is some violence. In general, this is a very family friendly show.

When will the Chosen Season 3 Be Released?

The first two and the final two episodes of The Chosen Season 3 were released in theaters. As of February 10th, all episodes of The Chosen Season 3 can be streamed on their app.

When will the Chosen Season 4 Be Released?

The Season 4 episodes are being released in theaters during February 2024. The first 3 episodes will be released on February 1st. Episodes 4-6 will come out in theaters February 15th, and episodes 7 and 8 will come out February 29th.  Although the exact date is unknown at this time, they will soon after be released on Angel Studios. You can also find Seasons 1-3 on Amazon Prime Video !

The Chosen Season 3 Trailer

So far, season 3 is the most fictional season yet. A majority of the episodes have been based on fictional accounts of what might have happened rather than Biblical events or text itself. The creators of the show state emphatically that the show is not a substitute for Bible study or reading. They say that they want the show to deepen our understanding and love of Jesus and to understand what it might have been like to follow Him.

As the show continues to delve into the lives of the disciples we get to see a little more of the tension and difficulty they faced that we might not think about usually. There is a lot more serious and painful content in this season than in previous seasons as well. There were a few moments that I worry might be grossly misinterpreted by audiences, but at the same time- that’s what happens with Biblical interpretation as well. Overall- the acting is fantastic. The sets and believability have impressed me. And I have been impressed with the perspective the show has given me personally. But I will restate that this is fiction. The Chosen is not the Bible and is not entirely based on the Bible. And that is something you need to be aware of. As a group, we all enjoyed this season and are looking forward to the 4th.

We follow the lives of Jesus and the disciples as the ministry of Jesus begins to spread. The disciples lives are examined as they are sent out by Jesus. As the disciples start to go out, and the teachings of Jesus start to spread, tensions rise. But Jesus reminds the disciples again and again that He came with hope, not a sword. The season ends with two powerful miracles and the disciples coming back together.

Season Three Warning: In showing the personal lives of the disciples, there is some more mature and (very slightly) graphic content [EG: healing wounds and depictions of death]. And many have complained that this season is more fictional than the first two. And while we are enjoying it and think it’s very appropriate for ages 8 plus, it might not be your cup of tea.

Summary for Episode 1 of The Chosen Season 3

As season 3 kicks off, we see Jesus preaching to many people. He is saying many of the things found in the Sermon on the Mount. As he says each line, we pan to different disciples and followers and how it affects them emotionally. This leads very well into the personal stories of the disciples, which seems like it will be a common theme throughout this season.

There is a lot of interpersonal relations that are focused on as Thomas and Ramah are flirting, Andrew is deeply concerned with his first teacher, John the Baptist, and Matthew deals with his past sins. We also got a few newer characters in Judas, Joanna, and Jairus. This episode acts as a good foundation as we continue the teachings of Jesus while also building up the personal stories of his followers.

Episode 1 Discussion Questions for The Chosen Season 3

• People in the crowd react differently to the sermon on the mount. Some see what Jesus is preaching to be unrealistic. Others see it as actions to incorporate into their lives. It still gets these reactions today. How do you see it after reading it and watching this episode?
• As we get more introduced to Judas, his motives seems genuine. How does this compare with your expectations? What does this say about how we view people who have made mistakes in the past?
• We are introduced to Joanna. Who is her story merged with? What message did she deliver?
• Why is it important for the show to show humor? What was your favorite humorous moment?
• How did the Romans see what Jesus said? Did they view it as pushing for peace or armed battle?

Bible Study Passages for The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1

-Matthew 5-7 The Sermon on the Mount

-Luke 8:3 Joanna

-Matthew 11:2 Reference to John the Baptist’s disciples

-Mark 5:21-43 Jairus’ story (somewhat a spoiler if unknown)

Episode 2 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

Picking up where we left off in episode one, we continue to dive into the personal lives of Jesus’ followers. A lot of these come directly into conflict when Jesus informs twelve of his followers that they will be his apostles and spread his message two by two. This season continues to really humanize the disciples as we see the sacrifices that they made to follow Jesus. There is also a bit of tension as there are a few hints of resentment among the leaders in Rome.

Episode 2 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• Parent and child relationships can be tough. What information does this episode give us on handling relationships between parents and adult children?
• How does this episode set up the role of Judas?
• Who were the Zealots? What was their group about?
• In sending out the disciples 2 by 2 Jesus gives them specific instructions. Do those instructions apply to us today? What about to popular or famous Christian speakers and preachers?
• Jesus pairs up the disciples to send out. What was the significance of each of the pairs?

Bible Passages to Study with Episode 2 of The Chosen Season 3

-John 12:6 Judas’ intentions

-Matthew 9:35-38 Some of the implied ministry prior to sending out the apostles

-Matthew 10:1-15 Sending out the twelve

Episode 3 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

The disciples have been sent out by Jesus. And Jesus heads back to Nazareth to see his mom and celebrate Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year Celebration). It is in Nazareth that we meet Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. Jesus is thrown out as a false teacher and heretic after claiming to be the law of Moses. The aftershow addresses a couple of the more controversial points of the episodes- mainly whether or not Jesus had siblings.

Episode 3 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• What Jewish holidays are you aware of? What is the significance of Rosh Hashanah?
• Consider what it might have been like to be friends with Jesus as a child and witness Him preach as an adult.
• Have you considered the idea that Jesus might have not been perfect at everything? He is described in the Scripture as not being very popular or good looking.
• What was the significance of the history of what Joseph passed down to Jesus?

Bible Passages to Study with Episode 3 of The Chosen Season 3

-Luke 4:14-30 Jesus rejected at Nazareth

-Isaiah 61 Good news for the oppressed

-Isaiah 53 Description of Jesus

Episode 4 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

Clean, episode 4 of Season 3, opens with a short collection of black and white scenes from the disciples journeys. Mainly of them healing in the name of Jesus. We thought this was a fun way to highlight a lot of smaller stories quickly. We also meet a couple of other well known characters and hear a little more about the Old Testament laws regarding women’s periods. This will play into part 2. The disciples also clash on how to raise money as well as how much they should understand before sharing about Jesus. My favorite part of the episode was Gaius and Peter discussing big and small problems at the well.

Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• Before watching The Chosen, how did you believe the disciples were perceived and welcomed?
• What were the politics about the water and how can we relate to that today? Are there things that you could do easily to ensure clean drinking water for others?
• How easy or difficult would it be to give up your home and privacy today?
• Why were so many leaders of the time struggling to reconcile what Jesus taught, particularly the message of peace?

Bible Passages to Study with Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 3

-Leviticus 15 Old Testament Laws About Women’s Bodies

-Mark 5 Jesus Healing

-Mark 6: 6-13 Jesus Sends Out the Disciples to Heal

-Stories of the Disciples Healing, Preaching the Gospel Message of Healing and Peace Through God

Trigger Warning (Spoiler) : There is a fairly graphic scene at the beginning of the episode where a woman loses her baby and a lot of blood.

Episode 5 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

As the title suggests, Episode 5 picks up right where we left off in episode four. The majority of this episode focuses heavily on the story of Jairus’ daughter and the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak. Jesus tells a few disciples why He does not want His miracles talked about widely and publicly yet.

This episode is a great one for discussion, but we also urge gentleness and caution. This episode was really triggering for me and I can imagine that it would be for many, many others too. There are parents who have great faith whose children die. There are those with illnesses who have great faith and are never healed. That does not take away from the miraculous situations, but it should bring us to love and compassion.

I also really enjoyed this episode for two reasons. First, because it shows so well how it would have been a struggle for the disciples but also because it shows that the disciples and Jesus had fun. Their work and experiences were so heavy and intense, but there was also joy. I appreciate that this show emphasizes both.

Episode 5 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• Gaius and Peter are surprised to learn that they actually have some similarities. They talk about how they might call each other names just because they belong to a specific group of people. When is the last time you found out something unexpected and humanizing about someone you disagreed with in general?
• Who would be considered unclean in your community? Have you ever had a conversation or interaction with someone on the fringes of your community or society?
• What verse from Mark 5 stand out to you the most?

Bible Passages to Study with Episode 5 of The Chosen Season 3

-Mark 5: 21-43 The Healing of Jairus’ daughter and the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak

-Matthew 9:14-17 Jesus discussing fasting and wine skins

Episode 6 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

A major plot point of the episode is that Pontius Pilate is starting to crack down on the followers of Jesus in attempt to scatter them. This coincides the the Pharisees also taking note of Jesus’ actions and starting their own confrontations during healings. This is intensified when messengers from John the Baptist ask Jesus if he is truly the one they have been waiting for in front of the crowds and the Pharisees.

This episode has several subplots regarding a few different characters. It starts with Pilate’s wife having a vision of a snake, Jesus, and his followers. Tamar and Mary work together to repair the soil for growing olive oil. Also, Simon and his wife discuss losing their child and how they weren’t there for each other. The whole episode has a feel that we are building towards something bigger as the finale approaches.

Episode 6 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• How are we seeing the intensity build in the show as we approach the season finale?
• Why was Simon’s wife frustrated with him? What could they both have done to prevent this intense argument?
• At this point, Jesus is telling people not to tell others about his works? What is the reason behind this?
• How does Pilate’s attitude towards tent cities reflect today’s attitudes towards homeless tent cities? What is the similarities and differences?

Bible Passages to Study with Episode 6 of The Chosen Season 3

-Matthew 27:19 Pilate’s wife warns him not to get involved with Jesus

-Matthew 16:20 Jesus tells people not to tell others of his works

-Luke 8:1-3 The women supporting Jesus through their own means

-Luke 7:18-35 Jesus heals and is asked a question from John the Baptist’s disciples

Episode 7 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

Episode 7 opens with the celebration of Purim, but not everyone is happy. Several disciples are worried about a crisis they set off in Decapolis with the banquet parable. Simon is distraught. Matthew and Mary share some hope. Rabbi Shmuel is on the hunt for heresy. Jesus heals and teaches. The seasons big finale is set up.

Episode 7 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• What did you know about Purim going into the finale? What does Purim teach us about the character of God?
• Why do we have a tendency to think that life is full of scarcity and not abundance? How can we shift our mindset towards generosity, love, and abundance?
• Mary talks about being suicidal and that God sent her a dove. And the older man who impressed Matthew with his math and prayer tassels was his dove. What big dove moments have happened in your life? How can we look more for them?
• There were scam artists claiming miracles and to be Jesus already. What did Shmuel tell the scammed man he should have looked for in a prophet before funding him? [There’s a fine line between giving generously and making sure you are also giving and spending ethically and responsibly. What are some of the tools you can use to this end?]
• How can we make sure that we are not leaving people in pain behind?

Bible Passages to Study with Episode 7 of The Chosen Season 3

-Esther 4-9: Read about Esther and how Purim came to be celebrated

-Luke 14: 15-34: The parable of the banquet and ‘He who has ears.’ verse.

Episode 8 Summary for The Chosen Season 3

An angry crowd has gathered around Jesus and the disciples in Decapolis, but Jesus instructs them to listen and be peaceful. Instead of a fight He brings love, hope, and food. Many of the characters feel unworthy. Lots and lots of arguments and tension from every storyline. Our short memories are highlighted by the fact that you can witness a literal miracle performed by Jesus and turn around and grumble about the rain or how far away something is. Simon and Eden grieve. The disciples have to work together. Jesus teaches and performs to big miracles.

Personal Finale Review for The Chosen season 3:

It’s taken me a few weeks to process why this episode did not sit right with me. Talking to a friend who felt a similar way helped me pin it down. While the script tried to stay away from platitudes and glossing over grief, it still wrapped it up in a nice neat bow at the end of the episode. But that wasn’t what felt really off to me, I’ve come to expect rainbow testimonies now. (EG: Life was beautiful. Intro big, long struggle arch that only takes a few minutes to talk about. But then things got beautiful again because God gave me something. A very Western culture thing.)

I so appreciated how the Rabbi handled things so well with Eden. ( Not always a given because religious leaders and lay leaders are rarely equipped to counsel or are aware of community resources for it. Which is one reason that seeking out professional counselors who love Jesus rather than Biblical counseling or Christian life coaching has been SO helpful for me ).

But it was their interactions with Jesus where the grief was brushed off the most. The image of Jesus that has been most comforting to me as a grieving person is the one where Jesus cries. Where Jesus holds my hand and acknowledges my pain . Not one where Jesus basically says ‘Eh, don’t worry about it. It will bring me glory and you have better things coming.’ First of all because we are not guaranteed better things or relief from suffering. (Simon is crucified after all.) And second of all because I believe God is a caring and loving God who grieves and sits with us.

Just because the finale was not what I was hoping for (Especially with the script for Jesus) does not mean I think any less of the show. I truly enjoyed this season and am looking forward to more . And I would encourage you to remember your grieving friends, and be moved with compassion for them. Not to fix them or make them feel better, but to sit with them. To invite them even if they say no. To help feed them and remind them to keep drinking water. To show them the love in very practical ways . I appreciated how the show tried to handle this and look forward to future seasons.

Episode 8 of The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

• What comforts you in grief Biblically? How can we practice better sitting with those who grieve? When Eden is sitting with the rabbi, he says that reading a happy passage over herself would be disingenuous. How can we be genuine and help others be genuine with their feelings without trying to push them away with a joyful passage? This was an important scene for me, as a grieving mother, the most painful comments I’ve received have come from the church. Platitudes and phrases that diminish grief do not help grieving people. And I want to emphasize the fact that Jesus did not remove Simon’s pain or rage. The cleansing and talk with the rabbi do not take away Eden’s grief- it helps her to accept it and start moving with it. In Western Christianity we do not honor mourning, but our predecessors in the early church did.
• We see positive examples of honoring tradition and the past (Purim) and negative (the religious Jewish men refusing to eat with Hellenistic neighbors). The old way is not always best. How can we make way for new ideas without being accusatory and defensive like Shmuel was?
• How did you feel watching the two miracles? Did something surprise you about them?
• Take time to identify who the gentiles, those outside the ‘welcome’ crowd, the poor, or those on the other side of the road are… a- in your church? b- in your larger religious community? c- in your city? d- in your work environment?

-Matthew 17:20 Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed

-Psalm 77 A desperate Psalm from Asaph

-Matthew 11:25-30 Wisdom is revealed to children, and ‘Come to Me’

-Matthew 14: 13-34 Jesus Feeds the 5 Thousand, Walking on Water

“Are you ready to do hard things?”

“I have some questions. I tend to overthink things”

“In something He said to those thousands of people, there was something for you.”

“It is not sustainable for me to do all the preaching and teaching.”

“I have chosen you twelve as my apostles”

“You received without paying. Now give without paying.”

“I know how easy it is to sing the Song of David ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ but it doesn’t make this any easier”

“It’s scary when you upset powerful people, but it’s worth it”

“I am the law of Moses.”

“Do not be afraid. You must believe. She will be well.”

“Thank you for your faith. I pray that more in the Synagogue will share it.”

“We think life is full of scarcity instead of abundance.”

“Many of you are afraid right now instead of choosing to trust me.”

“I tell them God performed a miracle but they say He ate with the wrong people.”

“Sometimes people need someone to sit with them and just be quiet.”

“I’m here, I’m always here.”

-The Chosen Season 3 Quotes

Thanks for checking out our post on The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions

Before you go, check out these other similar posts:.

– The Chosen Season 1 Bible Study Passages and Discussion Questions

– The Chosen Season 2 Discussion Questions and Bible Study Passages

– The Chosen Season 4 Discussion Questions and Bible Study Passage

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– Check out the resources from the series creators on  their website here  (which is a part of their crowdfunding).

Down The Hobbit Hole Blog and this The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions and Review use affiliate links. We only link products we think you’ll like and you are never charged extra for them. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All images used in this post were either original designs from Canva or used from media kits We also use cookies to gather analytics and present advertisements. Find our  other reviews with discussion questions here . And our posts about  family stuff here .

7 thoughts on “The Chosen Season 3 Discussion Questions and Review”

Simon the Zealot and Matthew… 2X2 in the movie?

Scripture says Simon the Zealot and Judas Matthew and Thomas

Why is this different?

Yeah, this is interesting. From the first two episodes, I think there are two possibilities.

1) The pairings given in the second episode my not be the final lineup. 2) They may have taken a few liberties in order to tell the story they wanted to tell between the former zealot and tax collector.

At this point, I think waiting to see how it plays out is all we can do. 🙂

Just noting a spelling error a few times: Jairus not Jarius.

🙂 That’s just my eye for details! Thanks for these discussion questions! Much appreciated!

Thanks for catching that! It has been updated.

Just a correction- it isn’t Quintus who has chats and works with Peter to fix the cisterns. His name is Gaius, if I’m not mistaken.

Good catch, fixed it. Thank you.

on episode 6, question 4, there is a typo. it asks “what was Pilate’s attitude toward the tent cities?” but it should be Quintus, not Pilate.

Comments are closed.

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Watch The Chosen with a subscription on Peacock, Netflix, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Cast & Crew

Dallas Jenkins

Jonathan Roumie

Shahar Isaac

Simon Peter

Elizabeth Tabish

Mary Magdalene

Paras Patel

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Series info.

THE CHOSEN SEASON 3 FINALE

"rest for your soul".

What You Need To Know:

Miscellaneous Immorality: Some animosity breaks out between Gentiles and Jews, two small groups of pagans mock the monotheism of Jesus and the Jews, and Jewish leaders look for evidence against Jesus and His apostles.

More Detail:

THE CHOSEN SEASON 3 FINALE is a theatrical presentation of the last two episodes of Season 3, Number 7 and 8, where Peter struggles with his faith in the wake of his wife, Eden’s, miscarriage while Jesus travels to the eastern part of Galilee to deal with some disruptions between Jews and Gentiles living there after two of the apostles preached there. This movie version has some of the most spectacular, powerful and dramatic scenes of the whole series, with many inspiring insights by Jesus taken directly from Scripture.

The finale opens with the Jews celebrating Purim, the delivery of Israel from the evil Haman in the Book of Esther. Simon Peter, however, isn’t celebrating. He’s angry at God for letting his wife, Eden, suffer a miscarriage.

Meanwhile, Philip and Simon’s brother, Andrew, return from their missionary trip in the eastern part of Galilee, a region where the majority of the Gentiles don’t get along with the few Jews living there. Although Jesus instructed them and the other apostles to preach only to the Jews, Phillip and Andrew’s preaching has made both factions angry. The two apostles return to the place where the apostles are staying. Everyone is waiting for Jesus to return, so they can resume the work of the ministry. Phillip and Andrew want Jesus to return to the eastern part of Galilee to help fix the situation.

Eventually, Jesus returns. He decides to take the ministry to the area of the problem. However, Simon is still sulking about the death of his child and has disappeared again. So, Jesus orders John to stay and wait for Simon, so that they can follow. John is upset about having to wait for Simon, but Jesus assures John that Simon is essential to the missionary trip.

John and Simon reach Jesus and the other apostles just as Jesus begins preaching for three days to 5,000 men, plus women and children, including many Gentiles. The event leads to an unexpected miracle.

At the same time, some Jewish leaders are looking for better evidence to arrest Jesus. They follow Jesus to eastern Galilee area. They become extremely upset to learn that Jesus is speaking to a mixed crowd. They finally think they’ve got enough evidence against Jesus.

After the three days of preaching, Jesus orders the apostles to take a boat that Simon has procured, a short cut back to the city where they were staying. He tells them He will join them shortly after He takes some alone time to pray.

However, a huge storm strikes the boat on the water, which leads to a major epiphany between Jesus and Simon.

The SEASON 3 FINALE has some of the most spectacular, powerful, dramatic scenes of the whole CHOSEN series. Watching it on a big theater screen was striking. The filmmakers gather an amazingly large crowd of people to hear Jesus teach. The climax of the two episodes is incredibly exciting and moving.

Best of all, the finale’s second half includes many inspiring insights by Jesus from Holy Scripture. Among the greatest of these in the movie version are words taken from Matthew 11:27-30, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son. . . Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

THE CHOSEN SEASON 3 FINALE adds some situations and characters for dramatic effect. The New Testament documents are more episodic than a movie or a television series needs to be. So, by necessity, THE CHOSEN must consult all four gospels to deliver a strong narrative for viewers. Thus, for example, it combines things from Matthew, Luke and John to tell the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Only John, for instance, mentions that the apostles received the two fish and five loaves of barley bread from a boy in the crowd. Also, none of the gospels really tell readers many details about what Jesus said to the crowd for three days. Luke 9:11 just says Jesus “spoke to them about the kingdom of Heaven.” One of the main messages in the second half is the teaching that both Jews and Gentiles are welcome in God’s Kingdom. As God promises the Messiah, the Christ, in Isaiah 49:6, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” In Luke 2:32, Simeon takes the child Jesus in his arms and says Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

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• Shahar Isaac as Simon Peter; Jonathan Roumie as Jesus; Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene; Paras Patel as Matthew; Noah James as Andrew; Janis Dardaris as Zohara; Lara Silva as Eden; Shaan Sharma as Shmuel; Nick Shakoour as Zebedee; George Harrison Xanthis as John; Shayan Sobhian as Big James (season 1, episodes 1-5); Kian Kavousi as Big James (season 1, episodes 6–8); Abe Martell as Big James (season 2); Erick Avari as Nicodemus; Brandon Potter as Praetor Quintus; Kirk B.R. Woller as Gaius; Giavani Cairo as Thaddaeus; Jordan Walker Ross as Little James; Joey Vahedi as Thomas; Yasmine Al-Bustami as Ramah; Yoshí Barrígas as Philip; Luke Dimyan as Judas Iscariot; Amber Shannon Williams as Tamar; Yasmine Al-Bustami as Ramah; Nina Leon as Salome
• Fathom Events; The Chosen App

TV Series Review

[ Editor’s Note: Season Four of  The Chosen  will debut in theaters  via Fathom Events  in three separate releases. Episodes 1-3 screened together in theaters, with a brief intermission, from Feb. 1-14; Episodes 4-6 will screen Feb. 15-28; and Episodes 7-8 will screen Feb. 29 through March 10. Following that theatrical release, Season Four will be available to stream on The Chosen App later this spring, with a release date that has not yet been announced.  Plugged In  will continue to review the episodes individually in our standard TV review format at the end of our overarching series review. ]

The world could use more Jesus. But can it use more of Him on television?

Depictions of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection have been a mainstay on both big and small screens since we’ve had screens to watch. His story’s been told and told and told some more, and a cynic might doubt whether another such retelling can possibly bring anything new to the party.

The makers of  The Chosen  have two words for that cynic:  Wanna bet?

PAY AS YOU GO

The Chosen  is the product of two up-to-the-minute trends: Streaming networks and crowdfunding. But it’s not just that:  The Chosen  is, in terms of its filming and release strategy, unlike anything else out there. No joke.

Creator/director Dallas Jenkins created the first season of  The Chosen  thanks to around 19,000 investors (according to a brief message Jenkins shared before the first episode of Season Two). Jenkins hopes that  The Chosen  eventually spans  seven  seasons—a lofty goal to be sure, but Jenkins says he has already seen “God’s impossible math” in action. And these seasons aren’t available via a standard network or streaming service. They’re only available on YouTube or Facebook, the Chosen app and, as of Season Four, via movie ticket. The series is being released in movie-size blocks, courtesy of Fathom Events. And its theatrical success is turning heads, just as its unique distribution model did.

But if the show’s inception and distribution have been a little bit divergent, the show itself offers some new wrinkles, as well.

OF SCRIPTS AND SCRIPTURE

As mentioned,  The Chosen’s  creators hope for a seven-season run, which might strike some as a challenge: Movies that follow a given Gospel word-for-word run long, but there’s not enough in the text to stretch the story out for a  Game of Thrones -like run.

So the show’s producers have shifted away from strict fidelity to the text and into a more imaginative, extrapolated, extra-biblical narrative. It’s  fiction , in other words—fiction that was inspired by and embraces Scripture, but fiction that nonetheless feels free to remove and (mostly) add elements as the story—not theology—demands. The first episode of Season Two, for instance, plucks a handful of parables, but uses them simply to structure a mostly fictional imagining of what Jesus’ stay in Sychar, Samaria, might’ve looked like—from a surprise feast with a crippled sinner to a visit to the town’s synagogue.

The show’s makers clearly wanted this story to be a cut above your typical Christian passion play. They seem to be gunning for  The Chosen  almost to be a biblical  Breaking Bad.

I mean that in the best of ways, incidentally. For viewers who approach Christian entertainment with a jaundiced eye,  The Chosen  gives us something different: a gritty, grimy, problematic Palestine filled with the unwashed and impure, giving the production a flavor of authenticity.

The episodes thus far hone tightly in on its ancillary characters—infusing them with dimension the Gospels just didn’t give. And while Season One showed Jesus gathering some of His more prominent followers, Season Two revealed some friction and jealousies developing among them. Just because they’re chosen, after all, doesn’t mean they stop being human. 

Jenkins and Co. have made the brave and, I think, smart move to dole out Jesus over time—to let these very real subplots begin to emerge before these characters’ realities are completely upended. In Season Three, the 12 have been gathered, the word about Jesus is beginning to spread, and He sends them out to further His kingdom purposes—despite much fear and uncertainty on the part of His fledgling followers.

In Season Four, the cost of following Jesus begins to become clearer. The Pharisees and Sanhedrin are increasingly desperate to end Jesus’ ministry, so much so that they’re willing to conspire with the hated Romans to make that happen. The result is a tinderbox of conflict, the fuse of which is perhaps lit by Jesus Himself as He boldly confronts the religious leaders’ hypocrisy. Accordingly, Episode Three comes with a parental discretion warning at the outset due to one particularly violent scene.

The result? A show that’s more  show  than  sermon , one that feels strangely taut and engrossing—even for those of us who know its ultimate end.

But naturally,  The Chosen  comes with a few caveats.

Again, the world given to us here isn’t the sanctified version we see in stained glass or many a movie about Jesus. While the content isn’t gratuitous, exactly, people step in dung, long to get drunk and engage in fistfights. Characters get hurt and sometimes die. The streets of Palestine can practically reek of sin. It all feels germane: Jesus came to save such a world as this, after all. But it can be a bit graphic.

The ambitions of  The Chosen  require a great deal of poetic license, shall we say—again, a work of fiction in service of this age-old tale. And especially as Season Four unfolds with an ever-growing ensemble of characters, fans might be having conversations about plot points and characters that aren’t actually found in the New Testament narrative.

But for TV fans spoiled by today’s rich, complex television landscape but tired of its salaciousness; for viewers who love Jesus (or who just want to know more about Him) but are turned off by what they might see as shallow, saccharine piety;  The Chosen  might just scratch an itch they never even knew they had.

Episode Reviews

Feb. 1, 2024 – s4, e1.

Season Four begins with a flashback of a pregnant Mary visiting her older cousin, Elisabeth, who is also pregnant at the time with John the Baptist. Flashbacks to that time throughout the rest of the episode contrast with what’s happening in the present: Herodia’s daughter, Salome, training to dance before Herod at an upcoming banquet.

Meanwhile, Zebedee, James, John and other disciples continue to expand their olive-oil business to support Jesus’ ministry; Thomas and Ramah continue to move toward marriage despite Ramah’s father’s lack of approval; and Simon the Zealot, who goes by “Zee,” tries to help Judas understand that Jesus isn’t concerned with ministry efficiency.

Salome’s dance before the king is quite sensuous. In fact, while training, her dance instructor tells her, “Make it hot.” And Herod, who’s clearly drunk when he sees her perform, lusts and leers at her. (Others at the bacchanal imbibe as well.) It becomes clear (in harmony with Scripture) that his unlawful wife, Herodia, has coached Salome on what to ask Herod if he’s pleased with her dance. His is, and she does: The head of John the Baptist. The one who’s been foretold to pave the way for Jesus has a poignant interaction with his executioners, and we see the ax blade begin to fall.

Feb. 1, 2024 – S4, E2

Much of the episode revolves around the ongoing grief that the disciples experience after John the Baptist’s execution. Andrew and Jesus talk about the nature of grief and how to process it. Both Quintus and the Jewish authorities continue to plot how best to deal with Jesus, as the crowds following him are becoming a liability to all of them.

Jesus leads His followers on a journey that takes them past a mountainside temple to Baal, where sacrifices are being made. It’s here that he renames Simon, calling him Peter, which touches off a huge wave of insecurity and jostling for position among the disciples—especially James and John.

A subplot involves the relational rift between Matthew and Peter, given the former’s previous role as a tax collector. Jesus challenges Matthew to apologize to Peter, and he exhorts Peter to forgive Matthew.

Feb. 1, 2024 – S4, E3

We begin, as the episode does, with a content warning for parents: “This episode contains violent images. Parental discretion strongly advised.”

Quintus grows ragingly frustrated that the influx of “pilgrims” (followers of Jesus) to Capernaum is biting into his tax revenues—the one thing he cares about most to advance his career. He instructs his subordinate, Gaius, to keep clearing them out, though the latter is increasingly sympathetic to Jesus’ messages, in part due to his friendship with Matthew.

Jesus uses spit and mud to heal a man born blind, provoking a huge confrontation with the Pharisees in which he calls out their hypocrisy. The agitated crowd begins to get out of hand, which prompts Quintus to plunge into the chaos with his sword drawn.

Quintus calls Capernaum a “h—hole,” and he is disgusted by animal refuse and buckets of waste (apparently human) in the streets. He kicks one of the latter and says that his city smells like a sewer.

[ Spoiler Warning ] One person is killed in a scene that includes blood and a sword. It’s a scene that, while extrabiblical, still serves to illustrate Jesus’ words that His teaching will be divisive.

Feb. 15, 2024—S4, E4

In the aftermath of a tragic murder (in the season’s third episode), Jesus’ followers are in shock, grief and filled with questions. One disciple is particularly wrecked, and the rest are at a loss to know how to help. Peter feels helpless; he’s no rock in a crisis like this. Jesus advises Peter to “Simply be there with him.” Meanwhile, the crime leads to upheaval in Capernaum’s Roman political hierarchy—and a very unlikely follower of Christ comes to seek His help.

As mentioned, many of Jesus’ followers wonder, quietly, whether Jesus could’ve stopped the tragedy. Peter admits that he wrestled with the same questions when his own preborn baby died. He says that he leaned on the words of Isaiah in those difficult times: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” (Isaiah 55:8).

Jesus, of course, mourns as much as anyone. But the victim’s father blames Jesus for the murder. He calls the Messiah a “fraud and a devil,” as well as a “deceptive sorcerer.” He curses Jesus and His followers and swears he will rally people against the man he considers to be a “liar and a fraud.”

Jesus heals a servant boy. A Roman Christ-follower blows out the candles illuminating his household pagan shrines, illustrating his change of allegiance. Jesus grows exasperated by His disciples for their lack of understanding—telling them baldly how He will be betrayed, tortured and killed, only to rise again from the dead.

We see flashbacks to the time of the murder. We don’t see any blood, but we do see the victim struggling for breath and, later, dead. Jesus and His disciples carry the corpse on a cart, to be returned to the victim’s hometown. Someone warns Jesus’ disciples that religious leaders are determined to make their Rabbi and His message disappear. Jesus Himself watches an olive press in action and sees in it a harbinger of His own suffering and death.

A man confesses of fathering a child out of wedlock—repenting of the act but declaring his love for his son. A couple of disciples fondly recall nights they spent in an apparent tavern before they began to follow Jesus.

Feb. 15, 2024—S4, E5

Jesus and His disciples begin their trek toward Jerusalem, but Christ wants to visit the home of Lazarus first—where His mother is living. Along the way, however, they encounter a couple of surprises. One is a rich care package from their old friend Joanna. The other is a band of Roman soldiers. And they demand, by Roman law, that Jesus and His followers carry the soldiers’ burdens for a mile. Meanwhile in Jerusalem, religious leaders argue politics, theology and welcome a young Pharisee named Yussif into their midst—and he’s particularly interested in investigating old prophecies from the time of the Babylonian captivity.

The Romans make great sport of Jesus and His followers—forcing them to wear their helmets and calling them “rats.” (One soldier makes a pretty racy joke about circumcision.) But Jesus turns this humiliation into a lesson, and the Romans eventually soften. When the group finally reaches Lazarus’ house, Jesus teaches another lesson—using Martha and Mary as its instruments.

Pharisees and Sadducees argue over bodily resurrection and life after death, along with other theological points. But we hear plenty of infighting within these broader factions, too. One asks Yussif to threaten a powerful religious leader by mentioning a “certain slave-beating incident.” We also hear a religious leader talk about making nice with Rome—referencing a “cataclysmic bloodbath” carried out by Pontius Pilate as he does so. Another leader mentions a scheme of his own—one that involves bringing harm to Jesus.

We hear descriptions of that bloodbath, and how resistors were “dismembered, disemboweled” and impaled. The carnage was so great that even the emperor himself was appalled. When Jesus reminds his mother that He’s not just the Son of God, but fully human, too, Mary jokes, “Darling, I changed your swaddling clothes when they were soiled. Believe me, I’m aware.” Characters drink wine. Someone exclaims “Hades and sticks!” when surprised.

Feb. 15, 2024—S4, E6

The episode takes place during the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah: In the early stages, the mood is festive, and disciples give one another gifts. But it culminates with an attack on Jesus and His followers.

Big James gets the worst of it: He’s essentially carried away from danger, his head badly bleeding. But others suffer injuries as well, including Jesus. The Rabbi later compares Himself to a “good shepherd,” ready to lay down His life for His flock.

During the celebration, viewers are treated to a little history of the holiday, as pantomimed by the disciples. As Jesus narrates, we’re taken through the exploits of Alexander the Great (whom Jesus and the disciples call “Alexander the Worst”), which lead to a Judean ruler named Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus turned the Jewish temple into a pagan worship center, slaughtering pigs (unclean animals according to the Jewish faith) on the altar and sprinkling its blood on the scrolls of the Torah. The Maccabees fought and beat Antiochus and restored the temple. The eight-day celebration—each day commemorated by a lighted candle or (in the disciples’ case) lantern, recalls how one day’s worth of consecrated oil in the temple lasted eight days.

The story is accompanied by some hammy play-acting by the disciples, featuring massive battles with sticks and faked deaths. Jesus receives news that a dear friend of His has died. We see a near-stoning. We hear some talk about tragic losses suffered by a couple of the disciples. When one disciple mentions to Peter that he wonders why Jesus didn’t save someone close to him, Peter (whose wife suffered a miscarriage in an earlier season) tells him, “It’s not wrong to question. But it does become wrong when you don’t accept the answer.” Matthew puzzles over some missing money—funds presided over by Judas.

Feb. 29, 2024—S4, E7

Episode Seven finds Jesus, the disciples and His other followers traveling to Bethany for, they believe, the funeral of their friend Lazarus. Along the road, the disciples have paired off and make conversation en route to the tomb where their friend is buried.

Once they reach Bethany, the desperately grieving Mary and Martha join the group, and they head into the countryside where Lazarus’ tomb is found. Jesus instructs his followers to roll the stone away from the opening to the cave-like grave. He then calls to Lazarus to come out, which he does, terrifying those watching.

Much of the episode revolves around smaller conversations between various characters about their expectations of what’s happening in Jesus’ ministry … and pondering how people will respond to news of Lazarus’ resurrection. A Sadducee who’s joined the party immediately heads to Jerusalem to inform the leaders there what’s happened. Thomas, still wracked with grief over the loss of someone close to him, becomes deeply angry that Jesus could raise Lazarus but not the person he loved.

Judas, meanwhile, sees an opportunity. He wonders how anyone could deny that Jesus should be king following this miraculous sign. Judas believes the event will unify even Jesus’ critics and embolden them to stand up to Roman rule once and for all.

We hear familiar passages of Scripture quoted, such as when Jesus announces, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Feb. 29, 2024—S4, E8

The episode begins with flashback to David triumphantly entering Jerusalem after a military victory. It’s nearly Passover. He and his second-born son, Daniel, go to get the spotless Passover lamb that will live with them for five days before being sacrificed. All of that, of course, is a foreshadowing of what’s going to transpire with Jesus and His own sacrifice.

Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead proves to be a lightning-rod event in Jerusalem, where as many as a million people (we hear) are gathering for Passover. A very young Pontius Pilate isn’t sure what to make of it all. But when King Herod comes to visit, he ominously warns the young Pilate that he’d better figure it out if he wants to stay in power. Joanna, a follower of Jesus, talks with Pilate’s wife, Claudia, about what all the events portend.

Plenty of others talk too, including Sadducees and Pharisees, who are not all of the same mind when it comes to dealing with the “problem” of Jesus. Ultimately the Jewish High Priest, Caiphas, says that they must work with the Romans to ensure that Jesus is executed.

Mary buys an alabaster jar of pure nard, which we hear costs a year’s wages, and pours it on Jesus’ feet—prompting criticism from both a Pharisee and Judas, who believes the extravagant show of devotion is a waste of resources.

Other events transpire, including the procurement of a donkey’s colt for Jesus—a prelude to Jesus’ fateful ride into Jerusalem.

We see Herod, Pilate and others lounging and drinking liberally from flagons. Someone exclaims, “Hades and sticks.”

Feb. 7, 2022 – S3, E8: “I Am He”

The theme of Season 3’s finale centers around Psalm 77. The episode starts in 990 B.C., where we see David and one of his wives listening intently to the reading of the (at the time) new psalm. It’s one of the many psalms of anguish, written in a time of mourning and anger. Click here to read the full psalm.

Peter and Eden are both struggling with depression, anger and doubt because of the miscarriage. Peter even confesses that he feels God made a mistake in choosing him as a disciple. “Even God makes them, right?” He angrily puts forth. He’s even mad when he sees Jesus feeding and healing strangers, as it only reminds him of how Jesus chose not to save his child. It comes to a head when Peter argues with Jesus about it, and Jesus tells Peter that He allows trials because they prove the genuineness of our faith (Peter will later apply this in 1 Peter 1:6-7).

Likewise, Eden is upset too, and she’s unsure how to feel joy again. She mentions becoming ritually clean, and we later see her perform the ritual. One friend tells her that she needs time to grieve, and another considers reading an uplifting psalm. But when they go to see Yussif, he reads Psalm 77 to her, explaining that the songs of anguish as just as important and can help us grow closer to God through our grief.

In the Decapolis, Jesus and His disciples are accosted by a variety of angry people, Jew and Gentile, each with their own beliefs. They’re upset with the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24). But Jesus uses the appearance of the crowd to begin to teach, offering the analogy of faith the size of a mustard seed (Matt. 17:20-21). “It’s not about size [of faith],” He says. “It’s about who your faith is in.”

But some people aren’t buying in. They debate on sacrificial systems and pagan gods. A Hellenistic Jew quotes a prophet at Jesus, and when Jesus quotes Isaiah back, the man accuses Him of pitting the prophets against one another. Jesus explains the meaning of the parable: “God wants His house full, and everyone who believes in Me is invited, plain and simple.”

With a massive crowd arriving, Jesus decides to teach many parables. He teaches the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1-23), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matt. 13:31-32), the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price (Matt. 13:44-46) and Parable of the Two Sons (Matt. 21:28-32). He also speaks Matthew 11:25-30. Though they are organized together with these sayings in the Bible, both the Parable of the Weeds and the death of John the Baptist are not covered in this episode.

Jesus spends two days speaking to the crowd, keeping them so long that they’re very hungry when He’s finished. He multiplies fish and loaves to feed the 5,000. And later, the disciples decide to cross the Sea of Galilee and are caught up in a storm. They see a figure walking across the water and claim to see a ghost. But they discover that it’s Jesus walking on water, and Peter steps out of the boat to meet Him. However, overcome with fear, Peter doubts Jesus for a moment and sinks below the water, and Jesus pulls him out. He also commands the storm to cease and the water to still, and it does.

Throughout the episode, the Pharisees travel to find Jesus. It begins when a Hellenistic Jew comes to Shmuel to put forth charges of false prophecy against Jesus. The Pharisees debate the importance of going to Decapolis, as it means stretching their resources thin. Regardless, they arrive as the crowds are leaving Jesus’ sermon, and one manages to find Jesus. He admits he is troubled in his soul, apparently grappling with Jesus’ words and tradition. He quotes from Psalm 13 (another psalm of anguish) to describe his emotions, and he leaves to pray with Jesus.

Jesus heals a man with an infected and bloody leg.

Feb. 5, 2022 – S3, Ep7: “Invitations”

Andrew and Philip return from their journey to try to fix things in Decapolis, but they’ve only made things worse. They taught Jesus’ Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24), but the parable caused a riot to break out between Jews and Gentiles. After hearing the story, Judas Iscariot gives a succinct summary: “The Jews understood you to mean that Jesus was calling for Gentiles, and the Gentiles thought that you were calling them second class.”

When the other disciples hear of the situation, they’re split on what to do. Andrew and Philip have returned to try to get Jesus to handle the situation, but Big James argues that Jesus shouldn’t leave, since there are still Jews waiting to hear what Jesus has to say. In response, Philip quotes Isaiah’s prophecy about Gentiles coming to the Lord (Isa. 42:1-4; Matt. 12:15-21). Matthew also chimes in, reminding everyone that Jesus’ ancestry contains Gentile ancestors such as Rahab and Ruth. Ultimately, the disciples decide to take the issue to Jesus and let Him determine what to do.

Meanwhile, the disciples deal with some of their own issues. Mary Magdalene asks Matthew about prayer tassels she found in his possession, and he admits that they were given to him by a man long ago who said the tassels were of enormous value. The man spoke about the importance of Benjamin (one of Jacob’s 12 sons), and he tells Matthew that he’s taken on the debts of his children since he’s going to die soon anyway—and he can protect them from the debt through his sacrifice. He gave Matthew the tassels, which he kept as a reminder of “his sins against his people.” Mary identified that it wasn’t the tassels that were valuable—it was the man’s faith, which Matthew now has. She likewise shares her own story of experiencing God’s redemption. (Thaddeus later explains the Jewish significance of the prayer tassels to Matthew, too.)

Peter, meanwhile, stumbles through the city, mourning the loss of his child. He eventually finds himself with the Roman Quarter (where Jews are not allowed), and Gaius is forced to come to his rescue, taking him to his home. Peter learns of Gaius’ sick servant boy, and Gaius reveals that it’s actually his son via a different mother. (This is likely setting up the story described in Matt. 8:5-13.)

Jesus decides to go to Decapolis with his disciples, but he leaves John behind to wait for Peter to return (much to John’s dismay). John’s upset with how Peter has been acting lately, and he admits that he’s jealous of Peter having a wife. This causes Peter to divulge the miscarriage to John. Peter reveals that he’s furious with Jesus for allowing Eden to miscarry even while Jesus heals complete strangers. John reminds Peter that followers of Christ are not promised health and prosperity and should expect to experience suffering.

Atticus enters the Court of the Gentiles at the Jewish temple, where we see Pharisees selling animals for sacrifices. He inquires for information about Jesus.

Jews celebrate Purim by recounting the story of Esther. The disciples buy sulfur to help with their olive grove, but they’re wary that some may see their purchase as evidence that they’re preparing to go to war. When Gaius meets the distraught Peter, he asks him why he didn’t just drink away his sorrow. We hear of a con man named Jesus (a common name in the region) who is using Jesus Christ’s popularity as a way to swindle people out of their money. Someone uses “Hades” as a swear.

Jan. 15, 2023 – S3, E6: “Intensity in Tent City”

Jesus has been creating a whole lot of buzz lately—buzz that’s attracting both positive and negative attention. Even the governor of the region, Pontius Pilate, has heard of him. He’s having a meeting with an informant named Atticus, and he’s commissioned him to learn all he can about Jesus and his relationship with Roman official Quintus. As for Pilate’s wife, she’s been having horrific nightmares of a snake attacking Jesus in a garden.

Quintus, for his part, is annoyed with how Gaius has been handling the “tent city” outside Capernaum. The people there are too poor to tax or jail, and Quintus knows they’re only there because of Jesus’ preaching. He briefly considers having Gaius kill Jesus, but he’s concerned it would cause a revolt. Instead, Quintus commands Gaius to find legal loopholes that will cause the tent city to crumble.

But Gaius is starting to come around in his relationship with the Jewish people. Contrary to destroying the tent city, Gaius is helping the people there. And when Jesus comes to town, he listens to his preaching—even drawing a sword to dissuade an angry rabbi who attempts to threaten Jesus. The change is evident to at least Peter and Matthew, who consider Gaius to be a good man—though other disciples disagree, one even calling him a terrorist.

And disagreement is running rife among the disciples’ ranks. They sharpen weapons, afraid of resistance with Jesus’ popularity, with some noting how if Veronica could get to Jesus easily, so too could someone with dangerous intentions. In fact, a Greek man visits Philip and Andrew, telling them that their preaching in Decapolis while on mission has caused Greek people to worship Jesus, causing chaos. The two return in order to finish their preaching, which had been interrupted earlier. Another disciple expresses concern that power flowed from Jesus “without His consent” when Veronica was healed of her blood issue.

But Simon the Zealot is concerned, rather, with his own well-being. The order of zealots he was once a part of have tracked him down to Capernaum, and they plan to assassinate him. However, Simon prays, and he tells them that he left to serve the Messiah. They doubt his claims—after all, if Rome is still in charge, then the Messiah hasn’t yet come. But when the leader of their group sees Jesus healing people and speaking about the Kingdom of God, he relents from his plan to kill Simon, needing to think about Jesus’ words.

The words they hear from Jesus stem from Luke 7:18-35, when two disciples of John the Baptist come to ask Jesus if he’s the One who is to come (in plainer words—if He’s the Messiah). Jesus uses the moment to confirm that John is the one who the prophets Isaiah and Malachi spoke of in saying “Behold, I send my messenger before you, who will prepare the way before you” (Mal. 3:1, Isa. 40:3-5). Jesus tells the men to report to John of the miracles He has done as confirmation of His ministry.

Meanwhile, Peter finally learns the cause of Eden’s pain, and he questions why God would allow his wife to miscarry, especially while he is away serving the Messiah.

As for Mary Magdalene and Tamar, the tension between the two comes to a head. Mary reveals that she is upset because her life before Jesus had much more trauma and shame than Tamar’s. She still feels unworthy of Jesus, and she feels Tamar should feel likewise rather than her usual assertive attitude. “But Jesus forgave you,” Tamar responds, “and you choose to hold onto it.” Tamar also reveals her own tragic past, and the two reconcile, agreeing to learn from one another.

Pilate makes reference to a prostitute. Atticus expresses surprise that Pilate did not have any wine or women with him. Three people are seen crucified. Mary Magdalene talks about a way to make soil more fruitful for their olive trees, calling the method “magic, but not sinful.” Peter asks John’s disciples about Andrew’s excretory habits in order to determine whether they know him.

Jan. 8, 2023 – S3, E5: “Clean, Part 2”

In the opening scene, set two weeks before the rest of the episode, we watch as a woman gives birth to a baby. She screams in pain, and blood is seen. And at the end of it, we discover that she has had a stillbirth. It is revealed that the woman is Peter’s wife, Eden, explaining why she is upset with Peter.

Jesus returns to Capernaum, where He meets with His disciples in Peter’s home. A couple of them ask Jesus about fasting, and why they haven’t been told to do it. They wonder if the failing to fast may weaponize the Pharisees’ accusations against Him. Jesus responds by telling them the Parable of the Bridegroom and the Parable of the Wineskins (Matt. 9:14-17). Just then, He is interrupted by Jairus, who has rushed to find Jesus in an attempt to get Jesus to heal His dying daughter. Jesus commends Jairus for His faith, and the two set off to heal the girl.

While on the way, Jesus is swarmed by a crowd of people wanting Jesus to heal them. Among the crowd is Veronica, who earlier met Thaddeus and Nathaniel after they followed her trail of blood on the ground. She claimed that if she could just touch Jesus’ garment, she’d be healed. “That’s a superstition,” Nathaniel responds. “Maybe for other holy men,” Veronica replies, “But I’m not talking about other holy men; I’m talking about Him.” And indeed, Veronica is healed when she touches Jesus’ garment as He passes. Jesus confronts her, calling her His daughter, and explaining that it wasn’t His clothing that healed her, but rather, it was her faith that made her well.

However, during the delay, Jairus’ daughter dies. Jesus and Jairus arrive to the sound of funeral flutes. However, He brings the girl back to life, saying that she was only sleeping, and He charges those in the room to say nothing of the healing. Though the moment is happy, it causes Eden to be conflicted due to her own stillbirth two weeks prior.

In Zebedee’s home, James and John argue more about their missionary experiences—just as Zebedee arrives home. He tells the brothers that he sold the family boat to start a new business. Fishing was merely his work until the Messiah came and his boys got real jobs, Zebedee explains. “He chose you,” he says proudly, “I’m free to try something new, too.” His new venture is purchasing an olive tree orchard, which Judas Iscariot has purchased using ministry finances.

Also in Capernaum, Peter and Gaius continue their unlikely alliance and partnership as they fix the cistern, and the two men of differing cultures talk about their respective beliefs. After they high-five at one point, there’s a point of tension. “Oh, Styx,” Gaius says, “Were you not supposed to touch me? Don’t you refer to us as dogs or something?”

“What? You call us dogs!” Peter replies, “Among other things: rats, vermin.”

Gaius mentions having a servant boy in the home, something Peter shows his disapproval about. “Child slavery,” he quips, “and you wonder why our people find you distasteful.” But Gaius claims they raised the boy as their own. The two furthermore discuss difference in religion. Peter quotes Jeremiah 2:9-13 regarding living water and broken cisterns, and Gaius responds with his own beliefs of the various pagan gods.

The disciples close out the day by having a chicken fight game in the Sea of Galilee.

Jan. 1, 2023 – S3, E4: “Clean, Part 1”

The disciples return to Capernaum from their first missionary journeys, and they’re excited to share with one another all the works they’ve accomplished, including healing people of their diseases and expelling demons from people. Peter and Judas even come across a pagan man who cuts open a bird and removes its organs in an attempt to get the gods to listen to him, and the two convince many onlookers to follow them instead. Even Judas, who’ll later betray Jesus, is able to cast out a demon—and Judas later identifies that it must not be them who have power but Jesus working through them as vessels.

The journey has changed all of them, especially the brothers James and John, who no longer fidget as they attend synagogue—even though the reading is not from one of the most attention-grabbing sections of Torah. It’s Leviticus 15, a passage that talks about how to become ceremonially clean again after contact with various discharges of bodily fluids. The primary way to become clean? Wash with clean water—which is becoming a concern, as the town’s cistern has recently become contaminated from a broken sewage line, forcing everyone to wait long hours in the hot sun at a well outside of town.

Because menstruation also produces ceremonial uncleanliness, many women will be unable to go to synagogue unless the cistern is fixed soon. Normally, the broken cistern would be an issue for Rome to fix. But Rome doesn’t particularly like Capernaum, and the rulers would rather the local synagogue pay for the repair materials. Eventually, it’s Gaius who decides to work together with Peter to fix the cistern. Gaius drinks from a flask, and Peter calls him drunk, which Gaius admits may be a little true.

Though fixing the cistern might solve the issue for most women in town, it doesn’t help Veronica, a woman who has had a blood issue for the past 12 years. She cleans blood-stained rags in a spring, and she meets Peter’s wife, Eden, who decides to help her with her laundry. Veronica warns Eden that if she gets any of her blood on her, she’ll be ritually unclean for seven days and won’t be able to touch her husband. “I assure you,” Eden replies suggestively, “I haven’t been touching my husband.”

Indeed, after Peter arrived home for the first time in months, his exhaustion from the trip has caused him to be a bit self-centered. He invites the disciples to the home, creating more work for Eden. It’s clear Eden is quite upset with Peter for another, as yet unrevealed, reason. However, Peter doesn’t initially notice her emotional distance, kissing Eden and making a passive reference to having sex later in the day.

When the disciples arrive at Peter’s home, we find that not all of them are happy with how their respective journeys went, including Big James, who wonders why Jesus gave them “power, but not understanding.” As for Peter, the publicity and crowds of people following them is starting to wear him down, making him a bit upset with Jesus.

Two other people moved by Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jairus and the Pharisee Yussif, meet privately. They discuss whether Jesus could be the Messiah, as Jairus’ study of the Torah reveals that He fulfills many of the Old Testament prophecies. Yussif must give a report of Jesus’ sermon to the Sanhedrin, and Jairus is worried that the Sanhedrin is too concerned with tradition to see the truth of the Messiah. So he recommends Yussif send a faulty report to protect Jesus. They’re right to be wary, as the Sanhedrin soon passes an edict to report any person invoking the Messianic title. But when Jairus’ daughter collapses to the ground due to stomach pain (brought on by the diseased cistern), Jairus briefly wonders if he is being punished by God for believing in Jesus as the Messiah.

As for Mary Magdalene, she and Tamar argue over Tamar’s jewelry. Tamar wears the jewelry to honor her ancestors, which Mary says sounds a bit pagan or like animism. The two of them work with Zebedee to produce anointing olive oil to fund the ministry. Zebedee sells his fishing boat to fund the initiative, believing the ministry to be much more important.

Dec. 25, 2022 – S3, E3: “Physician, Heal Yourself”

Jesus returns to Nazareth to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. While He’s there, He visits His mother, praying with her over their meal. It’s just the two of them, as Mary’s other children, James and Jude, are celebrating elsewhere while Jesus is home, “just to avoid conflict.” Mary asks Jesus who His favorite disciples are, then exclaims that she likes the women with Him as well as Simon the Zealot—since his fighting experience means he can protect Jesus, she jokes. The conversation turns to the painful sacrifice that awaits Jesus as He reminds her that His time is coming, and He must do the will of His father who sent Him.

But because there is still time before that appointed day, Jesus enjoys a festival with childhood friend Lazarus. The two reunite with Dinah and her husband (the two whose marriage Jesus attended and performed His first miracle at). The couple tells Jesus to not be surprised “if some people run out of wine on purpose just to see what [He] will do.” Jesus also speaks with His old rabbi, Benjamin; He is invited to read and interpret Scripture for His old synagogue. A woman comments on rumors that Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. “Not the humble Jesus I know,” she laughs.

But Jesus confirms those rumors during His reading. Benjamin precedes Jesus with a prayer for the coming of the Messiah, and Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1-2a before quickly putting the passage away and claiming that “the fulfillment of this Scripture as you have heard it is today.” Benjamin is confused, asking why Jesus did not read of God’s vengeance, and Jesus replies that the Day of Wrath is in the future, but He is here for salvation.

Jesus begins to teach Nazareth about how the Year of Jubilee’s freedom from financial debt is meant to foreshadow God granting freedom from spiritual debt. Benjamin objects to the teaching through grated teeth: “We’re the chosen seed of Abraham,” he says. “We don’t have spiritual debt.” Jesus laments that no prophet is welcome in his hometown, and He also cites how prophets in the Old Testament would offer salvation to Gentiles for their faith as proof that God cares for more than just the Jews—and thus, it is not enough to be of the physical lineage of Abraham.

This culminates in Benjamin charging Jesus with being a false prophet, threatening to execute Him for breaking the Law of Moses. “I am the Law of Moses,” Jesus replies, causing the synagogue to gasp. (That line of dialogue has been among the most controversial on the show thus far, sparking online conversations and commentary about whether it’s a theologically accurate understanding of Jesus’ relationship to Law. Some have also noted a similar wording in a passage from the Book of Mormon, an allegation that show creator Dallas Jenkins has refuted as he talks about the scene and theological criticism of the show here .)

And when they take Jesus away to stone Him, He authoritatively tells them that they will not kill Him yet, and He walks away.

In a subplot, Jesus recalls memories of being Joseph’s son. He remembers Joseph’s instruction, and He clutches a bridle that an ancestor brought into the Promised Land. The undertones of the scene remind viewers how that Old Testament promise ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus bringing us into Heaven, the true Promised Land for God’s people.

Nov. 18, 2022 – S3, E2: “Two by Two”

Roman officials, including Quintus, are increasingly concerned about the number of people following Jesus. Many of them have set up what Quintus dubs a “shanty town” on the edge of Capernaum. He initially orders his men to simply sweep them away. But he’s convinced that a more lucrative response would be to change the town’s city limits in a way that enables him to tax them for being there. The Romans, in general, treat the Jews very shabbily. The one major exception continues to be Gaius, who continues to be both curious about these followers of Jesus and sympathetic to their cause. He’s especially fond of Matthew, and he treats him kindly.

Speaking of Matthew, he and his father, Alphaeus, reconcile, with both apologizing for ways they’ve hurt each other.

Former rabble-rouser-turned-disciple Simon the Zealot, whom the disciples mostly just call Z, is being hunted by the Romans for his previous efforts to destabilize the Roman government.

The conclusion of the episode revolves around Jesus’ somewhat unexpectedly sending His disciples out two-by-two to minister to the broader Jewish community around Capernaum. The disciples are hesitant, confused and scared, not thinking themselves ready for such an assignment. “I’m sending you out, two-by-two, proclaiming as you go, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cast out demons—,” at which point Simon (speaking for his compatriots), tentatively asks, “Uh, how soon are we talking about here?”

Jesus’ doesn’t really calm their anxiety when He then adds that they’re not to take money, food or clothing, and he suggests that they might be killed for the cause: “Listen carefully, all of you. Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.”

“So, you’re saying we could die?” one of His followers asks.

“This will become far more difficult, when persecution is an ever-present part of your ministry. When the time comes, you will follow in My footsteps, and you will know what it actually means to give up your life.” He then emphasizes that taking nothing for the journey is meant to cause them to trust God completely: “For this journey, at least, I want you to learn what it means to fully rely on your Father in heaven, as well as those around you and those whom you serve. … This is what it means to follow and the lead.”

After the meeting, it’s decided that Judas will handle the group’s money and financial needs (after Matthew says no to that responsibility). Jesus also has a very tender conversation with Little James about why He hasn’t healed James’ physical infirmities. He says, in essence, that God is working in and through James’ limitations, and that ultimately James will be healed in the next life—even as James helps people to find God’s healing in this one.

Thomas and Ramah continue to move toward marriage. Quintus is disgusted to find sewage in his drinking water, and that conversation leads to jokes about people relieving themselves.

Nov. 18, 2022 – S3, E1: “Homecoming”

The first episode of Season Three begins dramatically with a Roman soldier threatening to drag an older man named Alphaeus, the father of Matthew, off to jail for unpaid taxes. Matthew—who’s still extricating himself from his role as a hated tax collector—steps in to forestall the action. But instead of gratitude from his father, Alphaeus disowns his son as a traitor to his people, resulting in deep anguish for Matthew.

The tension in that relationship is quickly contrasted with Jesus’ words coming from His sermon on the mount, from which we hear many familiar lines of Scripture. Jesus’ call to forgive, to be reconciled and to turn the other cheek stuns his listeners. He concludes with the exhortation, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Among the crowd is Judas, who is skeptical but intrigued: “To turn the other cheek and lay up treasures in heaven is a bit naïve,” he says. “But this man has talent!”

Despite what seems to be a cynical take on Jesus, Judas’ interest in following Jesus is sincere and earnest. After Judas brags to Jesus of his financial skills, Jesus asks him if he’s “ready to do hard things.” “Yes, I am ready to do hard things,” Judas replies. “We’ll see,” Jesus says before inviting the man to join His disciples. Later, Judas tells his sister, “I think He’s the Messiah,” Judas says to her. “If He is the anointed one, sister, then He will not be killed. He will defeat the Romans and set us free.”

Following the Sermon on the Mount, a rich and privileged woman named Joanna seeks to give Jesus a message from John the Baptist, who resides in Herod’s prison. Her husband works in the palace, thus granting her access to John. When Andrew, John’s former disciple, hears her news, he begs Jesus to be able to go visit John in prison, which Jesus and Joanna both assent to. There, he has an emotional reunion with his former teacher. Andrew is very much focused on how he might get John out of prison, while John keeps the bigger spiritual picture in perspective: “Andrew, if you want to help me, listen to Him. Go home and do what He says. That’s what I want.”

Thomas, meanwhile, summons his courage to propose marriage to a young woman named Ramah. Simon and his wife, Eden, who’ve been separated for some time, are anxious to rekindle their intimacy. But each time they think they’re alone in their home, someone knocks on the door to interrupt them, enraging Peter and amusing Eden. We later see them in bed together, talking, apparently after being intimate.

There’s a mention of someone’s marriage being violated by adultery.

Apr. 4, 2021 – S2, E1: “Thunder”

The first episode of Season Two begins with a flash forward: John is working on his Gospel in the wake of the martyrdom of one of his fellow disciples, and he’s interviewing those closest to Christ—even as he brags that he was there for certain things that the rest of the disciples weren’t privy to. “He loved me,” he tells Jesus’ mother, Mary. “He loved all of you,” Mary says with a smile. “You just feel the need to talk about it more often.”

The episode then picks up where the first season left off: in Samaria. Jesus is in Sychar with most of the disciples, leaving John and his brother, Big James, to plow a field. Why? They speculate that perhaps it’s because they’re such good workers, or out of respect for their hatred of Samaritans. But before the episode’s over, it becomes clear that Jesus is trying to teach them a powerful lesson about love and acceptance.

Most Samaritans seem to appreciate Jesus, but a few spit and throw rocks at him. One disciple begs Jesus to call fire down from heaven to burn Jesus’ harassers alive. Jesus listens to the story of another Samaritan—one who shamefully admits to having attacked a Jew along the road one day (with a couple of others), stealing all of his stuff and leaving the victim on the road, not knowing whether the Jew was alive or dead. The Samaritan broke his leg very shortly thereafter and has been suffering its effects ever since; moreover, he’s deeply sorry about his past actions.

We see Jesus tell a parable or two (with help from the crowd), and we see Him and others in prayer. Jesus also reads from the first scroll of Moses (Genesis) in a synagogue. A miracle is performed, too. When a rich man puts Jesus and his growing band of disciples up for the night, the man warns them that one of the rooms is haunted by his dead grandmother. “Ooh, I’ll take that one,” Jesus jokes. (Later, when James questions him about the “ghost,” Jesus says, “I don’t address everything at once with new converts, James.”)

Peter jokes about John the Baptist (whom he calls “Creepy John”) eating a new bug. Disciples bicker and jockey for position. We see plenty of hostility between Jews and Samaritans—closely related people who nevertheless spent centuries hating each other. Wine is bought and served with dinner.

Nov. 26, 2019 – S1, E8: “I Am He”

As Jesus begins His ministry in earnest, He and His disciples leave Capernaum and head (much to His students’ shock) to Samaria, where Jesus meets with a woman at a well.

The episode begins nearly 2,000 years earlier, with a guy named Jacob digging that very well (even though a passer-by says there’s no way that they’ll ever get any water from this rough, dry land). Jacob talks to the stranger about his mysterious God, whom he calls El Shaddai, and admits that God broke his hip. The passer-by doesn’t know why anyone would choose to follow invisible gods that break hips. “We didn’t choose Him,” Jacob says. “He chose us.”

We hear Jesus (obviously) talk about a number of spiritual matters, too. But we also see a sliver of a backstory from the woman before she heads to the well: She tries to exact a divorce from her husband, a document he throws in the fire. “You are my property, Fatima,” he says. “I don’t part lightly from my possessions.” He says this even though, when she first arrives at his house, he wished she was “a thief or a murderer to put me out of my misery.” He calls her latest conquest the “latest shade of drooling tomcat.” And at the market, vendors won’t even turn to face her.

Passing Pharisees are equally shocked by Jesus when they see Him dining with Matthew (a tax collector) and “sinners” from Capernaum’s notorious red quarter. “I have come to call not the righteous, but the sinners,” Jesus tells them, but they seem unimpressed. Another Pharisee introduces an effort to ferret out false prophets—inspired by the eerie way Jesus read his mind in an earlier episode. “It’s about politics and promotion,” Nicodemus sniffs. “On the contrary, teacher, it’s about the law,” the Pharisee says. “And the law is God.”

Simon says goodbye to his wife with a sweet kiss. We hear about acts of violence perpetrated by both Jews and Samaritans against one another. Jesus tells the woman at the well something of her checkered past, including that her second husband’s skin “smelled of oranges” on their wedding night. The disciples fret about possible violence as they head through Samaria. A Roman praetor suggests to his Capernaum adjunct that they step up official brutality to teach the Jewish citizens a lesson. “What use are mounted officers if the people have never seen anyone trampled?” he asks.

Nov. 26, 2019 – S1, E7: “Invitations”

Jesus meets with the Pharisee Nicodemus on a rooftop, where Jesus makes some startling revelations. And Matthew, the tax collector, makes a startling decision.

The episode begins with a thousand-year flashback, with Moses crafting a bronze snake that the Israelites can look upon and be saved. Joshua takes issue with the act: “That is a pagan symbol,” he says. “Maybe you misunderstood [God].” Moses responds that he’s learned, painfully, to do what God tells him to do without questioning Him. “It’s an act of faith!” he says. “Not reason. Faith.” Jesus calls Nicodemus’ attention to that story: Just like that snake, “So the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

We hear references to a case of demon possession that Nicodemus and Jesus both encountered (the latter more successfully than the former). We hear that Nicodemus wants to stay in Capernaum to continue his “research” at the expense of missing his newest grandson’s bris (circumcision) ceremony.

Nov. 26, 2019 – S1, E6: “Indescribable Compassion”

Word is beginning to leak out that Jesus is not just an ordinary craftsman. As He and his disciples travel back to Capernaum, they find—and Jesus cures—a leper on the way.

When they arrive back in the city, a crowd quickly gathers around the house where He’s preaching, forcing the friends of a paralytic man in need of a miracle to lower the man through the roof. The Pharisee Nicodemus is among those who see the miracle, along with his less-accepting pupil, now a powerful Pharisee in his own right.

Beforehand, Nicodemus tried to encourage his one-time student to keep his eyes and mind open for what God might be doing in the here and now, not just in the time when the Torah was being written. “I don’t want to live in some bleak past where God cannot do anything new,” Nicodemus says. “Do you?”

We hear a few parables from Jesus and see, of course, a couple of miracles. We witness the leper’s disfiguring wounds disappear. He forgives the paralytic his sins and tells His audience that people need not use big words while in prayer: “A lot of it is for show, anyway,” He says.

Peter cares for a sick woman staying with his family, softly singing to her as he wipes her brow. (In an earlier episode, we learned the woman was coughing up blood.)

Someone jokes with Jesus, telling the teacher that he heard about His trick with the wine at the wedding. “Can you do that do the well by my house?”

Nov. 26, 2019 – S1, E5: “The Wedding Gift”

Jesus and His small band of followers go to Cana to celebrate the wedding of a family friend. But things go awry when the wine runs out.

Meanwhile, the rabbi Nicodemus questions the newly imprisoned John the Baptist to see what he might know about the strange exorcism that took place some time ago—an exorcism that would appear to be a miracle.

John and Nicodemus clearly don’t like each other much. John calls the Pharisee out on the extravagance of his “frock,” while Nicodemus accuses John of blasphemy—misquoting Scripture (Nicodemus believes) to suggest that God would have a son. “God does not have a son except for Israel!” Nicodemus says. John holds his ground, though. “Some will not want to waken,” the discomforting prophet says. “They’re in love with the dark. I wonder which one you’ll be?”

Alcohol is obviously a big part of the wedding celebration—and indeed central to the miracle that takes place at the end of the episode. We see people drink wine, discuss its quality and talk about how the beverage can dull the mind (since it’s common practice to serve the bad stuff later on in the celebration).

The actual miracle feels pretty low-key—and one that Jesus performs in private, ordering everyone (including a young, doubting catering expert named Thomas) out of the room. Before leaving to follow Jesus, Simon helps his own wife stomp grapes, and they get a little flirty.

Later, at the wedding, Simon talks with some of Jesus’ other new followers and learns that Thaddeus was called by Jesus when the two were helping to build a latrine. “Our Master building a privy,” Simon marvels. Jesus performs magic tricks for children, too (which look like carnival-type shell games when we briefly see them); and when Simon jokingly asks Jesus if He can do something about the clumsiness of his brother, Andrew, Jesus watches him dance a bit and jokes, “Some things even I cannot do.”

Christ also talks about having been a clumsy teenager. Another disciple, James, jokingly chucks dates from a tree at his fellow travelers.

Apr. 19, 2019 – S1, E4: “The Rock on Which It Is Built”

Simon goes out into the water with Roman soldiers, who are intent upon catching the Jewish fishermen breaking the sabbath (and thus cheating the Romans out of their taxable share). Instead, he steers the boat to a sandbar and runs around. Capernaum’s Roman leader suspects Simon of duplicity, so he sends the tax collector Matthew to follow the man.

Elsewhere, Simon comes clean to his wife, Eden, about the dire financial straits they’re in and tries to work every possible angle to keep from going to prison. Andrew suggests another possibility: trusting the man whom the crazy baptizer John called the “Lamb of God.”

Simon misleads the Romans, tries to keep a sick relative from living with them and has a serious fight with his wife, Eden. When fellow fisherman Zebedee and his sons, John and James, ask how bad things are with Eden, he laments that he could be enjoying his last night of freedom—his last night, in other words, to enjoy Eden’s company—and he’s out fishing.

Simon throws a bit of a fit on his boat in the middle of the night, too. He cries out in anger to God, narrating the blessings and miseries of the Jewish people. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say You enjoy yanking us around like goats and can’t decide whether we’re chosen or not,” he said. When his friends come upon him and ask who Simon was talking to, Simon says, “apparently no one.” But things change in the morning, when Simon and the other fishers come across Jesus preaching to a small group of people by the water. After the sermon, He performs a miracle—telling Simon to cast his nets one more time, after which the fisherman and his friends pull in enough, apparently, to pay off Simon’s debt. (The boat, in fact, nearly sinks from the weight of all the fish.) “Fish are nothing,” Jesus tells Simon, now willing to do anything for the man he now believes is the Lamb of God. “For now on, I will make you fishers of men.”

We hear references to Simon’s past gambling issues and a reference to the “fiery furnace” of hell. Simon threatens to beat a couple of men “with my bare hands.” Someone is so sick that they’re spitting up blood.

Apr. 19, 2019 – S1, E3: “Jesus Loves the Little Children”

The story moves away from many of its central players and focuses on Abigail, a little girl who runs across a strange carpenter camping in the wilderness. She hides from him the first day, but the next she brings along Joshua, a friend of hers. “I didn’t see a sword or anything like that, so I don’t think he’d kill us,” Abigail reassures Joshua. “And he seemed nice. Do you have a sword, just in case?” We hear similar sentiments from other kids in Abigail’s posse (which grows as the episode wears on).

Some are concerned that Jesus (because, of course, it is Jesus) might be a criminal or a murderer. And Jesus himself tells them that it’s good to be careful, because, “There are bad men around.” Jesus actually opens the door to communicating with the kids through a bit of bathroom humor—making retching noises and flatulence noises as a way to break the ice. But Jesus also begins to teach them a bit about His work, too—both that of a craftsman and as someone bringing a startling new message to the world. He leads the children in prayers and encourages them to honor both their teachers and their parents, while reminding them that “many times, smart men lack wisdom.” He gives some sage lessons on justice and encourages them to hold to their faith. And as He does so, Jesus begins to unveil His real purpose. “I have some work to do here,” he says. “And some people to meet.”

The humanity of Jesus is emphasized here. We see Him struggle to start a fire, cook His own supper and engaged in tearful, anguished prayer—all elements that could’ve been a part of Jesus’ life. The only miracle He performs is through prosaic hard work—gifting Abigail a fabulous handmade toy set.

Apr. 19, 2019 – S1, E2: “Shabbat”

Lilith is now demon-free and calling herself by her birth name of Mary. She’s nervously preparing to host Shabbat for the first time ever, and she receives a very special guest.

Meanwhile, Simon continues to spy on his fellow Jewish fishermen (who are fishing on the Sabbath), while the suspicious tax collector, Matthew, dutifully reports his own suspicions of Simon to the Roman praetor.

As a Jewish tax collector, Matthew is reviled by both Romans and Jews. When he’s preparing to report to the praetor, Matthew’s repeatedly jostled by Roman soldiers, and he’s threatened with death. Later, in his tax collection booth, another Roman soldier sees Matthew with a cut on his face and excrement on his clothes, which the Roman figures were “gifts” from some Jewish citizens who took issue with their taxes.

Simon (the future disciple Peter) buys a number of merchants drinks at the local tavern and jokes heartily with them. “We’re not afraid of you stealing our fish,” Peter tells one with long, flowing locks of hair. “We’re afraid you’ll steal our women!”

Meanwhile, Matthew mentions to the Roman praetor that Simon seems to gamble a lot. Nicodemus, the “rabbi of rabbis” visiting Capernaum from Jerusalem, reads a book on demons and exorcism after his apparently failed cleansing of Lilith/Mary. When he learns that she miraculously was cured after all, he goes to investigate, and he hears from Mary of the mysterious stranger who cured her. “I was one way,” she explains to Nicodemus. “And now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between, was Him.” We hear the Shabbat ceremony from a variety of points of view.

Apr. 19, 2019 – S1, E1: “I Have Called You By Name”

Peter and Andrew unsuccessfully try to earn some tax money to save their fishing boat. Eventually their livelihoods are saved, at least temporarily, when Peter strikes a deal with a powerful Roman legionnaire. But Andrew believes the deal—which involves Peter ratting out fellow Jews for fishing on the Sabbath—to be immoral.

Meanwhile, a woman named Lilith struggles with demons that the Pharisee leader Nicodemus can’t cast out. It leads Nicodemus to a crisis of faith, and it pushes Lilith to the verge of suicide.

In flashback, we see Lilith as a child in Magdala reciting Scripture with her father, who later dies. She stores that Scripture in an old doll, but later tears the paper up in despair. It’s insinuated that she’s a prostitute. She wakes one day to find her hands covered in blood and a man—his neck also bloody—screaming in the streets.

When Nicodemus comes to cast the demons out, Lilith hisses, “We are not afraid of you. You have no power here, teacher.” Later, a despondent Nicodemus says, “Only God Himself could’ve drawn them out.” (And God, in the form of Jesus, eventually does just that—calling the woman by her given name of Mary.)

We see women of apparent ill-repute hang about Capernaum’s seedy quarter. In flashback, we see a Roman centurion fill Lilith/Mary’s sight, a suggestion that the woman may have been raped. She visits a tavern and gambling center, asking the barkeep (whom someone refer to as a eunuch) for alcohol.

Nicodemus complains of the sinfulness of the city’s fishermen: “Foul-mouthed, given to gambling and secret dens and even fishing on Shabbat,” he says. “Surely the Messiah will not come until this wickedness is purged from our midst.” Peter indeed goes out fishing on the Sabbath to feed his family: He gets into a brawl with his brother-in-law (a common occurrence, it’s suggested). Both deal out plenty of damage, and Matthew walks away with a bloody nose. He says that he has “hands of wine” because of the damage they do to one’s liver. (“It sounded more clever in my head,” he later admits.)

Matthew serves as a “publicanus” (tax collector) for the Romans, though his driver refers to him instead as a “public anus,” thinking it funny. Matthew steps in a pile of dung and retches after doing so. We hear references to hell.

Kennedy Unthank

Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”

Adam R. Holz

After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Chosen’ Season 3 on Prime Video, Where The Teachings Of Jesus Go Viral, Bringing More Believers And More Scrutiny

Where to stream:.

• Faith-Based

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘An Easter Bloom’ on the Hallmark Channel, A Faith-Based Romance About A Flower Farmer Who Finds Love With A Minister

Is ‘the chosen’ season 4 available to stream, stream it or skip it: ‘the baxters’ on prime video, a family drama based on karen kingsbury’s popular novels, even russell crowe is surprised ‘noah’ is in the netflix top 10.

Season three of The Chosen joins the historical drama’s first two seasons on Prime Video , which will offer one-stop access for anyone who hasn’t yet caught up with creator, writer, and director Dallas Jenkins’ story of the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth. The series originally premiered in 2019 on the Christian-minded streaming platform VidAngel after raising money for its production via crowdfunding, and has expanded its footprint by licensing The Chosen to secular platforms like Prime, Peacock , the CW, and Netflix. It also maintains a lively YouTube channel, which currently features a vignette teasing the filming of Chosen Season 4 .  

THE CHOSEN – SEASON 3 : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?  

Opening Shot: 24 AD. In Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee, a Roman soldier pounds on a door. Answering, Alphaeus (Turhan Troy Caylak) is surprised to learn he’s past due on tribute fees, especially since he filed an extension. The soldier is unsympathetic. “By decree of Quintus, honorable praetor of Capernaum, I will remand you into custody.” Just then, Matthew (Paras Patel) intervenes. He wonders if it’s maybe cool to just skip this house for now. After all, it’s where his parents live.

The Gist: That’s right, Matthew as in the New Testament’s Gospel of Matthew, whose parents are none too happy with their son’s gig as a tax collector for the Romans. His mother cries, his father disowns him, and later, as Jesus (Jonathan Rournie) is wowing a large crowd with his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew is downcast and reflective. “Which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to your life?” Jesus asks. “First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” The sermon, which Matthew and the other disciples had a hand in writing but was Jesus’s to interpret, is a huge hit. With confidence and ease, he lays down what would become bedrock for his followers, the Beatitudes as well as the Lord’s Prayer. And afterwards, as JC relaxes with a bite to eat in the green room, he officially welcomes Judas Iscariot (Luke Dimyan) into the fold. “I believe you are going to change the world,” Judas says, “and I want to be a part of that.” 

In season one of The Chosen , Jesus performed his first public miracles, and started to gather his flock. Matthew was there, the fishermen Simon Peter (Shahar Isaac), John (George H. Xanthis), and Big James (Abe Bueno-Jallad), Mary Magdalene (Elizabeth Tabish), Thomas (Joey Vahedi), Ramah (Yasmine Al-Bustami), and Little James (Jordan Walker Ross). In season two, word spread about this “rogue rabbi,” this humble miracle worker, and Judas, Nathaniel (Austin Reed Alleman), and Philip (Yoshi Barrigas) joined the cause. And now, as Jesus makes his biggest splash yet with the Sermon on the Mount, the movement is experiencing growing pains in real time as well as increased scrutiny from the Roman establishment. 

Another individual who heard the call is Joanna (Amy Bailey), a wealthy woman whose husband works in the court of King Herod, where John the Baptist (David Amito) is currently stewing in the palace prison. Joanna brings Andrew (Noah James) to see Jesus’s cousin, who dismisses his dismal surroundings as the price of doing business when you’re all in on the word of the Lord. At the synagogue in Capernaum, it’s a message Rabbi Yussif (Ivan Jasso) is also eager to inscribe, after being moved by Jesus’s sermon. He writes down what he heard in a letter to Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee who’s part of the Sanhedrin, and asks his new synagogue administrator Jairus (Alessandro Colla) to hold onto it for safekeeping. The word on the street about Jesus is spreading.         

What Shows Will It Remind You Of? The Bible premiered in 2013 on History; the miniseries was produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, garnered an Emmy nomination, and was followed up with a sequel, A.D. The Bible Continues .  

Our Take: We all know this story, or at least the broad strokes. And that means there’s tension underneath the surface in The Chosen Season 3, with the increased profile of Judas Iscariot. This is the dude who’s infamous for his betrayal, selling out JC to the Romans for a few hunks of silver even after he was welcomed into the Twelve Apostles. But the familiarity most viewers will have with that biblical arc also informs how creator and writer Dallas Jenkins is telling the story in this series. Jesus is obviously a main character here, but significant attention is paid to the individuals who surround him, and the people they interact with in turn. One of the best scenes of season three’s first episode is Judas’s meeting with his sister Dvorah, who gives us an entirely new angle on the guy we only know in one dimension as a traitor, and the cast of The Chosen proves adept at bringing a naturalism to these proceedings. This isn’t just a bunch of people dressed in approximations of first century clothing delivering portentous dialogue straight off a page of scripture. Certainly anyone who’s already a believer will enjoy The Chosen for its interpretation of how Jesus became the rock star of preaching. But the acting here doesn’t feel forced into any established narrative, which makes the characters more well-rounded than their biblical reputations, and might offer a more personal way into this story for anyone else who’s curious. 

Sex and Skin: Simon Peter and Eden (Lara Silva) are excited to have her place to themselves after being apart for some time. But just as one thing is about to lead to another, Nathaniel knocks on the door. He’s looking for a place to crash. With the followers of Jesus increasing in number, getting them all housed and fed is a growing issue for the core group. 

Parting Shot: Matthew has returned to his parents’ home, with the teachings of Jesus on the mount still ringing in his ears. Still unsure about the reception he’ll receive, he hems and haws outside the door. Just then, it opens, and Alphaeus is there. “Son.”

Sleeper Star: Hadad (Josh Zagoren), Judas’s associate from the world of finance, is blown away by Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount. “I’ve never seen people so moved! The ‘Turn the other cheek and lay your treasures to heaven’ business was a little naive. But this man has talent!”

Most Pilot-y Line: Dvorah (Marlaina Smith) is shocked when her brother says he’s giving up all of his possessions to walk with Jesus, especially because with Judas, “It’s never not about money.” (Hmm, this could be a theme going forward…) “Judas,” Dvorah warns, “this is dangerous. Rome does not like popular preachers with big followings. They put them away. Many have claimed to be The Messiah. Do you know what happened to them?”  

Our Call: STREAM IT. The Chosen has become quite the phenomenon, building on its original crowdsourced funding to bring three well-received seasons to true believers. And now wider audiences who might be curious about all of the fuss can stream the whole thing on Prime before Season 4 appears.  

Johnny Loftus is an independent writer and editor living at large in Chicagoland. His work has appeared in The Village Voice, All Music Guide, Pitchfork Media, and Nicki Swift. Follow him on Twitter:  @glennganges  

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'The Chosen' Season 4 Review: Tensions Rise in Surprisingly Good Series

'The Chosen' returns, and it's just as dramatic as ever.

The Big Picture

• Season 4 of The Chosen raises the tension and political drama, focusing on the conflict between disciples and Roman forces.
• The strength of the show lies in the relationship between the disciples, with Season 4 addressing their conflicts and imperfections.
• The Chosen struggles when straying too far from the larger narrative and focusing too much on personal subplots.

Before The Chosen , there had never been a long-form, multi-season television series about the life of Jesus Christ. There have been plenty of movies , sure. Even a mini-series or two have faithfully chronicled the New Testament story. Failed attempts at a multi-season continuation ( A.D. The Bible Continues , anyone?) have resulted in wondering whether it's even possible to make a successful TV show about Jesus. That said, it almost feels miraculous that this series ( produced entirely independent of Hollywood ) could become as popular on a global scale as it has. But perhaps The Chosen 's latest entry — the long-anticipated Season 4 — helps us better understand why this sort of thing has never properly worked before.

The Chosen is a historical drama based on the life of Jesus and those who knew him. Set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Palestine, the series shares an authentic look at Jesus' revolutionary life and teachings.

'The Chosen' Raises the Stakes in Season 4

The Chosen ’s fourth season is filled with all the things fans have loved about previous years. The interpersonal connections between Jesus’ (played by Jonathan Roumie ) twelve disciples, the growing tensions between the local religious leaders and the occupying Roman forces, and the visualization of miracles performed on-screen are, in many cases, why so many viewers stuck around. The series isn't a global phenomenon for nothing, and it continues to point impressively back to its source. Jesus’ earthly ministry reportedly only lasted around three years, and given series creator Dallas Jenkins ’ clear intent to get seven seasons total out of this production, the slow-burn pace leading toward the inevitable crucifixion is finally starting to pick up some real steam now .

What makes Season 4 unique is that the tension between the Roman forces like Quintus ( Brandon Potter ) and Gaius ( Kirk B.R. Woller ) and the Jewish Pharisees finally feels like it may implode at any moment. In some respects, The Chosen ’s latest season begins more like a political historical drama (a la Rome ) than a faith-based program, and that’s certainly the point. Things feel personal, political, and spiritual all at the same time . The way Season 4 frames the conflict almost hints that the series may outlive Jesus’ eventual crucifixion and resurrection story, well into the early life of the church chronicled in the Book of Acts.

By far the biggest strength in this show is the relationship between the disciples , specifically the twelve whom Jesus had, well, chosen . Previous years have teased an inevitable break between Simon Peter ( Shahar Isaac ) and Matthew ( Paras Patel ), who have been at odds for quite some time. Every conflict reaches a natural boiling point, and it can either bubble over and become uncontrollable or be calmed by something from the outside. As usual, Jesus is that something, and while their frustrations with each other have been largely valid (Matthew was going to get Simon sent to prison, after all), they remain nonetheless antithetical to the teachings of their new wandering rabbi. Season 4 finally addresses this issue in a powerful and finite way that reminds us of what this series has always been about .

'The Chosen' Season 4 Continues to Highlight the Disciples’ Personal Journeys

Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other significant issues among the disciples. One of the best parts of The Chosen is watching how these characters stumble around each other while considering the hard and sometimes confusing sayings of their teacher . Brothers James ( Abe Bueno-Jallad ) and John ( George H. Xanthis ), aka the "Sons of Thunder," are often the instigators of said conflicts, and, almost as if they’ve learned nothing from Jesus, they’re at it again here. What could easily feel like a boring or repetitive beat feels more in step with the biblical narrative, albeit in a refreshing and unquestionably characteristic way. After all, the Bible itself never portrays the disciples as perfect men, and if anything, their imperfections shine brighter here.

In previous years, The Chosen sought to engage its audience through the complicated personal lives of its core characters. When the show started , a demon-possessed Mary Magdalene ( Elizabeth Tabish ) was living under a different name while self-medicating on the streets, Matthew was cut off from his family, and, of course, Simon Peter had found himself in a massive debt he could not repay. This was the backdrop for Jesus’ arrival, meant to echo the real-life challenges of a modern audience. For the most part, the show has always done that well, and the same can largely be said for Season 4, which takes things a step further by making some of those personal challenges a bit more complicated .

The cinematography, costumes, production, and set design elevate this series far beyond the dismissive “faith-based” label it’s often filed under. No expense has been spared to make The Chosen feel like a big-budget streaming series set in the first century A.D., and that production value has only increased over time. Additionally, Shahar Isaac, who perhaps had more to do last season than in the three episodes provided for review, has proven himself both a strong and complex leading man who can still surprise us even now . Simon Peter is likely The Chosen ’s most complex character, full of internal contradictions and a hot-headed brashness — but following that impressive Season 3 finale (“Sustenance”), Isaac unveils a different side of the future apostle, reminding us that there’s still a lot in store for Peter going forward.

'The Chosen' Is Shaking Things Up in Season 4

Fans may have trouble getting used to the new Phillip this season, now played by Reza Diako after Yoshi Barrigas ’ sudden departure. Diako doesn’t carry the same hopefully optimistic charisma that Barrigas’ two-season take on the character had , and it’s kind of abrasive, to say the least. For a while, it was hard to discern if he was Phillip at all, though the series, likely anticipating that response, makes sure to give a name to the new face almost immediately. While the plot of Season 4 may play a part in the disciple’s significant shift in demeanor, it’s certainly not the only factor, as Diako’s Phillip doesn’t even show up in the first episode, giving audiences some extra time to ease into the swap.

It’s unclear what Jesus’ arc might look like this season, but considering that the promotional materials have all implied that Demetrios Troy ’s Lazarus will be featured as a major part of Season 4 (the season’s tagline, “Rise,” is by no means accidental), we can only assume that his resurrection story will play a major role. Additionally, the trailers highlight Jesus' title as the "Man of Sorrows," and from the get-go, the show doesn't even think to pull its punches. Nonetheless, Roumie’s Jesus continues to delight whenever he’s on-screen, even when he’s aggressively calling out the religious leaders in the streets. But no matter what Jesus does, the impending climax of this series still looms , even if we still have a season or two left to go until we get there .

'The Chosen' Is Better When It Doesn't Embellish for Dramatic Purposes

There are obvious challenges when it comes to bringing the Bible to life. While The Chosen has never claimed to be a one-for-one adaptation ( the very first episode expressly states otherwise ), it does take some creative liberties with the lives of Jesus and his followers that many might deem questionable. These adjustments continue into Season 4 and are by far the show’s weakest link, despite being framed narratively as the strongest. While it’s true that The Chosen is at its best when it centers on the relationships between Jesus’ ragtag group of followers, focusing too much on their personal lives also proves a detriment and distracts from the larger narrative.

We see this most obviously in this batch of episodes through the life of Thomas ( J oey Vahedi ), one of the show's more embellished disciples, particularly regarding his love story with Ramah ( Yasmine Al-Bustami ). While these moments are often done dramatically well and can prove either enduring or comedic at times, they take the emphasis off vital and dramatic plot points in the larger narrative in an attempt to elevate this subplot to a higher level of importance. In this case, the significant fallout from the season opener is strangely brushed over, instead opting to put Jesus in a tricky position as the show's creators wrestle with the age-old question: what would Jesus do? Their answers are questionable. Given that we don't know which disciples were married historically (other than Simon Peter), The Chosen might be better off waiving romantic subplots entirely, focusing instead on its strengths as a political and religious drama meshed with complicated personal subplots – which this season's second episode highlights well.

In some respects, The Chosen is well-produced Bible fanfiction that can suffer when it strays too far . That’s not exactly news given the large list of IP-driven productions (both on a large and small scale) that have previously suffered similar fates. But given that the Bible is more than your standard IP, it’s understandable that many in the Christian audience would feel betrayed. While not every creative liberty is bad — expanding on Mary Magdalene's origins, the aforementioned conflict between Simon and Matthew, and even last season's miscarriage arc were all done tastefully in context — not all artistic license pans out. In the case of Season 4, the jury is still out given the total episode count, but there's no doubt that The Chosen is at its best when it doesn't rely on soapy additions to increase drama or fill in gaps.

'The Chosen' Has a Lot More Story Left to Tell

Maybe this is why there has never been a long-running series about Jesus Christ as there has been about other historical figures. Maybe the pressure of bringing such a powerful and important story to the screen is too much for most to handle. Maybe adding too much to the story of Christ muddies the water too much so that it can’t be properly turned into wine. In any case, these creative liberties don't fully weigh The Chosen Season 4 down . There's still plenty that works with this show, which is another testament to the progressing nature of faith-based entertainment .

The first few episodes stand strong on their own, even divorced from the greater narrative, and build on one another. The cast is great as always and the wonder of which biblical tales will show up next is thrilling. Season 4 is off to a pretty good start , and the show's impressive longevity and devoted creatives seem to have some good stuff up their sleeves. If you’re in the mood for a bingeable historical drama about one of the most important periods in history, Season 4 of The Chosen is must-see TV.

The Chosen Season 4 takes us further into the life of Jesus Christ in promising fashion, but can get a little lost in the personal subplots.

• The biggest strength of the show comes in the exploration of the relationship between Jesus Christ and his disciples.
• With each episode, the show is raising the stakes toward the inevitable crucifixion.
• The show focuses too much on the personal lives of the disciples, distracting from the larger narrative at play.

The Chosen Season 4 premieres in select theaters in the U.S. on February 1.

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Livestreams, gifts you'll love, frequently asked questions, show overview.

As the biggest crowdfunded project in TV history, The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Jesus. This series allows viewers to see the life of Jesus through the eyes of those that knew Him. Follow the transformations of His followers through the ministry of Jesus as He journeys to change the world.

The Chosen, the first multi-season show about Jesus’s life, hopes to take you deeper into gospel stories by retelling and expounding on the character and intentions of Jesus and those who knew Him.

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The Chosen Season 4 Gets New Streaming Release Announcement

Fans finally know when The Chosen Season 4 begins streaming, and it may be sooner than expected.

After an exclusive theatrical run , legal issues and new sustainability efforts delayed the Season 4 streaming release of the popular and independent multi-season show about the authentic life of Jesus and his followers .

But following news that filming for Season 5 is underway , The Chosen just announced when audiences can stream the latest episodes from home. 

[ The Chosen Season 4: New Posters for 12 Main Characters Released (Photos) ]

The Chosen Season 4's New Streaming Announcement 

In an April 21 livestream , The Chosen creator and showrunner Dallas Jenkins announced that, barring no further legal surprises, Season 4 will be released "within the next four to seven weeks."

Therefore, at the earliest, new episodes should begin streaming towards the end of May and, at the latest, mid-June. 

This supports one of Dallas Jenkins' more recent claims that the wait for Season 4's streaming debut wouldn't take "three months" and would "be shorter than that."

Season 4 is expected to premiere on The Chosen app first and for free, followed by a home video release.

But even though Dallas Jenkins wasn't able to give an exact release date just yet, he did confirm a two-episode per week drop which is expected to occur on Sundays and Thursdays.

The Future of The Chosen

While past seasons of The Chosen , including Season 4, covered various events from the New Testament, Season 5 is different. 

According to Jenkins, the next season covers a single week, known as "Holy Week," beginning with the events of Palm Sunday.

Meanwhile, Season 6 is expected to be even more concentrated as it focuses on the Crucifixion; and the final season, Season 7, is planned to cover the Resurrection . 

However, it's worth noting that amidst Season 4's streaming delay, the show has been "exploring" options regarding its distribution model. 

This may be due to The Chosen being an entertainment anomaly due to its studio independence and the fact it's designed to be free, but still as high-quality and relatable as studio-backed shows and productions. 

Therefore, a major question following Season 4's home release will be whether The Chosen continues to utilize third-party broadcasts and platforms like Peacock , Amazon Prime Video , and Netflix moving forward.

Seasons 1-3 of The Chosen are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock and for free on The Chosen app.

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3 months or less? Dallas Jenkins talks ‘The Chosen’ Season 4 release date

The cast and crew started filming season 5 in utah.

By Hanna Seariac

Filming has officially started in Goshen, Utah, for Season 5 of “The Chosen.”

Dallas Jenkins posted a quick video on social media announcing that the cast and crew are working away. After they film in Utah, they will travel to Midlothian, Texas, to complete the rest of the season.

But before Season 5 comes out, there’s Season 4. After “The Chosen” released it in theaters, the streaming release was delayed. Jenkins gave an update on where the show is.

“I’m sad to say that the legal matters that we are dealing with for Season 4 are still happening,” Jenkins said, adding that the team was actively working on making the show available. Pointing toward online conversation speculating that it will take up to six months before the show is made available, Jenkins said that wasn’t true.

While Jenkins did not give an exact date for how long fans will have to wait before they can stream the show, he said, “it’s not going to be three months.”

“We are working on it every day,” Jenkins said, explaining that the team wanted to get the show to streaming as soon as possible and it will likely be out in less than three months.

‘The Chosen' Season 5 Starts Production in April, as Season 4 Prepares to Hit Broadcast and Streaming After Theatrical Run (EXCLUSIVE)

Hit faith-based drama "The Chosen," which just launched its fourth season in theaters via a partnership with Fathom Events, is already prepping the start of production for Season 5 next month. Variety has confirmed that cameras will begin rolling on "The Chosen" Season 5 in Utah starting April 11; the series will shoot there for six weeks before shifting to the show's home base in Texas for the remainder of the production.

"The Chosen" has been mapped out as a seven-season series; for Season 5, the show will pick up where Season 4 left off, during Holy Week before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Back for Season 5 are the full "The Chosen" cast, including Jonathan Roumie as Jesus.

Also returning is exec producer Dallas Jenkins, who directs and also writes with Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson. "The Chosen" also continues to be a fully independent production, with global distribution rights handled by Lionsgate.

"The response to Season 4 has been overwhelming so far, which provides a nice lift for us as we head into filming," Jenkins told Variety. "Of course, we're about to try to portray the most famous week in the history of humans, so the euphoria from the previous season never lasts long. The entire Season 6 will cover one day, so covering one week in Season 5 feels luxurious."

Jenkins added that he's most excited to get to work on the set for the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus gets betrayed and arrested. "No one's ever seen what we've got planned for that sequence," he said.

"The Chosen" Season 4 opened last month No. 2 at the domestic box office, with $8.6 million after just six days in theaters. Timed to Holy Week, the show's theatrical run was recently extended from Thursday, March 28 to March 30 (with the season's eight episodes spread out over three days), and the first two episodes have also been made also available for screenings at churches via a grant from the Come and See Foundation.

"The Chosen" is also being released theatrical worldwide in 30 additional territories - most recently in Brazil, where Season 4 premiered in Sao Paulo last week, followed by a release on more than 1,100 screens in the country (marking 1/3rd of all screens in Brazil).

"One of the things we're doing differently this year is releasing all of the episodes in theater," said Kyle Young, the exec VP of global marketing and revenue for "The Chosen." "It's innovative, it's disruptive. Last year, we did a little bit of that with Season 3. It has been a wonderful experience for fans to watch it in community together, laughing at the jokes and being able to cry together."

"The Chosen" started in 2017 as a partnership between Jenkins and Angel Studios, originally financed through crowdfunding. The show was originally distributed mostly on "The Chosen" app, but last year the show greatly expanded its distribution footprint to third-party outlets like The CW on broadcast. And its windows were shortened, so "The Chosen" hit streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Peacock soon after its premiere on the app.

"One of the things that we did differently with Season 3 was we expanded our partnership with streaming platforms and with broadcasters," Young said. "Prior to 2023, we were really an app-first model where Seasons 1 and 2 were maybe in the app for a year or a year and a half before they released anywhere else. With Season 3, we shortened that significantly. And last year, the audience grew so significantly. Part of the goal at ‘The Chosen' is to get the show in front of as many people as possible. It took the first four years of the series to reach 100 million people. And then in the last 15 months, we've reached another 100 million people."

Beyond theatrical, Season 4 distribution will next go to "The Chosen" app, followed by home video and third-party broadcast and streamer outlets. The CW has not yet confirmed if it plans to pick up the new season, having previously aired the first three seasons last summer and fall. The series grew throughout its run on the network, ending with 719,000 viewers on Christmas Eve for the Season 3 finale, making it the most-watched telecast on Sunday night that season.

Young said there's no timetable yet for when Season 4 might premiere on broadcast and streaming. And beyond that, he says "The Chosen" team is exploring whether to switch to making "The Chosen" exclusive to one outlet.

"That is something we're exploring," he said. "As we've adapted our distribution model, we can see that there's huge appetite for the show on partner platforms. But a non-exclusive licensed series is not going to get a lot of promotion on the platform, because they don't own it, and it's on other people's platforms. We'll see where we go. But part of the promise of ‘The Chosen' is that there always be some kind of free component via ‘The Chosen' app. So, working through all the things is complex."

Young said the success of "The Chosen" this past year even took his team by surprise. "There's a much higher awareness of the series now," he said. "Some of our research shows that something like almost 50 million Americans have now sampled the show. And there's a huge amount of retention, as they watch subsequent episodes and even the full three seasons. And of course, I would say that with this director, the producers, the writers, this show is really good. The real secret here is that people really love the show."

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