Title: The Chosen: Season 3 (2022; TV-PG)
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Series: The Chosen TV series
Major Themes: Jesus, Biblical History, The Disciples, Ancient Israel, Christianity
Synopsis: Although the gospel message is often accepted as Jesus’ ministry continues to grow, the opposition to his work also grows.
There are many TV shows that I would never watch, but there are a few that I do appreciate. One of the latter is The Chosen, and as season 3 was released late last year, I knew I needed to watch it—partly because I’ve already reviewed season 1 and season 2 on this blog, but also partly because my siblings wanted to watch it. Because of some of the things I’d been hearing about this season, I was unsure if it would be appropriate to continue watching it together as a family, as we’ve mostly done for both previous seasons. One of my big concerns, going into this season, was again the big question: Is this series true to the Bible? Does it uphold the Bible as the ultimate authority? Is it doctrinally sound, or does it use “creative liberty” to re-interpret Biblical stories and make them say something they do not say?
I’ll say upfront—I am not a theologian. I also readily admit that I can get sucked into a story and forget to be as critical as perhaps I ought to be. But, after watching all eight episodes in this season, I also have to say that (generally speaking), this does hold to the gospel accounts and does not deviate from what Scripture reveals to us in its essence. I did have a few beefs with this season, and I’ll go more into depth on those later, but for now, on the whole, I did not have a problem with anything I saw here.
Episode 1: Homecoming
As Jesus wraps up one of the first major sermons shown in this series—the Sermon on the Mount—His disciples are challenged by His teachings. Following the sermon, Jesus sends His disciples back to Capernaum, where they can get some much-needed rest before they continue the work. Simon and Eden are reunited at last, and Andrew has the chance to visit John the Baptist in prison. On conviction from Jesus’ sermon, Matthew faces his past and begins the process of healing.
WARNING for episode 1: At 01:00, a soldier forcibly takes a man into custody. At 31:39, there is a kiss, and at 33:18, one of the disciples makes a somewhat crude comment about Simon and Eden’s marriage and the fact that they were together again after a long separation: “I’ll put a pillow over my ears.” (This scene ends at 34:00.)
Episode 2: Two by Two
Jesus prepares to send His disciples out across Israel, in two by two missions to preach the gospel and heal the sick. Meanwhile, crowds have followed Jesus after his sermon, wanting to hear more—anything more—from Him. As the Romans get concerned about the growing tent city outside the boundaries of Capernaum, the disciples try to find a new rhythm for life. Little James faces the question of why he has been given the power to heal others, yet remains crippled, when Jesus has the power to heal him.
WARNING for episode 2: At 4:30, a man is gripping the handle of his sheathed dagger. From 13:35 – 14:18, a man is angry and shouting and breaks something (off-screen), there is a threat to drown someone, and someone says “So help me, Apollo”. Several times, Simon and Eden discuss starting a family (personally, I don’t think this is historically accurate…); from 21:56 – 22:05, Simon tells Eden, “Come on, let’s…study”, and leads her off, both smiling.
Episode 3: Physician, Heal Yourself
Jesus returns to Nazareth, where He spends some time with His mother and catches up with old friends. Everyone is excited about what they’re hearing about Him, until He preaches in the synagogue and they realize Who He is.
And, now…a rabbit trail on Biblical accuracy:
This is the episode that includes the now-famous (or is it infamous?) phrase “I am the law of Moses” that touched off a lot of discussions when it first appeared in the season three trailer last year. When I first heard the phrase, I immediately began wondering if that was Biblical. Is Jesus really the law of Moses? After watching the episode, though, I think I understand what the scriptwriters were getting at. One positive thing from this phraseology is that they have made people think by using this wording.
But is it accurate? According to the witness of Scripture, Jesus (as God) was involved in conveying the law to Moses. We also know, from John 1, that Jesus is the Word of God. Is the Word of God synonymous with the law God gave to Moses? Considering verses like John 1:17, which says the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, I would argue that the two are not the same. But we also have to consider that Jesus’ main purpose in coming to earth was to call sinners to repentance so they could receive forgiveness for their sins (Matt. 9:13, Acts 5:31, amongst others). That, too, was the stated purpose of the law of Moses—to provide a way for sinners to be justified before God. We know Jesus was greater than Moses—the New Testament speaks of this clearly (Hebrews 3:3, among others). We also know that the entire point of the law of Moses was to point to Jesus (Luke 24:44 says that clearly, and there are many other references as well).
From the perspective of the law pointing to Jesus, and the fact that the ultimate goals of the law and Jesus’ coming were the same (a restored relationship with the Father), I believe the statement “I am the law of Moses” can have some accuracy to it. I also think that the way it is phrased could be somewhat misleading, but the underlying truth is true. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of everything the law tried—and failed—to do. But through Him, we finally can have a relationship with God, which I believe is the general tenor of this scene.
Whew. That was a lot. I don’t mean to defend The Chosen or its creators, but this is something I’ve been thinking about and discussing with some of my siblings since I watched this episode. It’s an interesting thing to think about, and could be cause for some discussion in your family if you choose to do so.
WARNING for episode 3: From 33:54 – 35:18, there are heated words, and then from 35:18 – 38:07, Jesus is forcibly taken out of the synagogue and sentenced to death, but before he can be pushed over the cliff, he walks away.
Episode 4: Clean, Part 1
The disciples head out, two by two, on the mission Jesus has for them. As they preach and see miraculous healings, they are astonished at the power Jesus has given to them. Upon their return home, however, they struggle to understand what happened. Simon and Eden endeavor to reconnect in their marriage, while other people in the city are battling illness.
WARNING for episode 4: From 02:28 – 03:25, a pagan shaman disembowels a bird and appears to be praying (you can only make out “oh gods” in what he is saying). From 04:41 – 05:32, you see a demon-possessed man convulsing, there is a brief tussle, and then the demon is forced to leave. From 06:30 – 06:37, people are being dragged and pushed out of a city. From 07:00 – 07:21, a demon-possessed woman is convulsing, and then is freed. At 17:30, two men agree to send a “diluted version” of an event to someone (basically lying). A kiss at 19:04. At 20:23, Simon suggests, “Early bedtime?” to Eden. At 24:10, a girl collapses, saying her tummy hurts. At several stages throughout this episode, you see a woman scrubbing blood out of clothing, and she talks about how “it” has been going on for 12 years now. At 40:09, there is a phrase: “…every woman who has her time of the month….” At 51:05, someone says, “You’d better hope to your God….” In the same scene, a man is drinking and gets a little drunk. At 55:48, a woman screams a man’s name when she discovers her daughter dead.
Episode 5: Clean, Part 2
With the city cistern broken, Simon sees a chance to get away from home for a bit and do something productive while he tries to work through his problems in his marriage. Veronica has learned something about Jesus and realizes He is likely her only hope for healing, and Jairus decides he must trust Jesus with his daughter’s life.
WARNING for episode 5: From 00:30 – 02:30, a woman is miscarrying. There is a lot of blood, and some crying, and a few screams. From 11:45 – 13:00, men spot some blood spilled on the path and see a bloody cloth and blood on a woman’s foot. A character says “Oh, Styx” at 17:18 and someone else says “Adonai in heaven” at 20:58. At 40:44, a man finds out his daughter died.
Episode 6: Intensity in Tent City
When Andrew and Philip are informed of what their preaching did in the Decapolis, they realize they have more trouble on their hands than they bargained for. As they head off to try to address the issue, Simon Z has his own problems when he is confronted by his old way of life. Two disciples of John the Baptist arrive to ask Jesus whether he is the Messiah or not.
WARNING for episode 6: The first scene (to 01:35) is a nightmare about people sleeping and a snake slithering into camp. From 01:53 – 02:07, there are the sounds of men crying and groaning, hammering, and you see men on crosses. From 12:40 – 13:32, someone sneaks into a house with a knife. From 21:11 – 22:35, a woman tells how most of her family was killed. At 26:17, someone refers to someone as “a red-bottomed old man”. From 29:15 – 43:25, there is a tense scene where a man is ambushed by men with daggers [The daggers do not ccme out of the sheathes]. At 57:06, a man draws a sword to get someone to obey. In the last scene, 1:04:30 – the end, a woman tells of miscarrying, there is an argument, and at 1:07:10, she says “Well, you were happy to read my body [instead of asking how I was].”
Episode 7: Ears to Hear
Andrew and Philip return to Capernaum with news of what is going on in the Decapolis. Jesus gathers his disciples together and they head out on a treacherous mission. With enemies surrounding them, will Jesus be able to bring peace to the situation? To John’s dismay, he is left behind to wait for Simon and bring him to the Decapolis when he finds him.
WARNING for episode 7: At 02:31, a man breaks a jar and yells. At 04:18 and 07:07, a man says “Oh, Hades”. From 34:11 – 34:54, a woman tells of how she almost committed suicide but was saved by a dove. At 38:23, a man admits a servant is also his son. From 59:28 – 1:00:10, a man tells of his wife’s miscarriage, how she almost died, and how they might never be able to have a child again.
Episode 8: Sustenance
As Jesus preaches to an upset crowd in the Decapolis, thousands gather to listen to him. The Jewish leaders, spearheaded by Shmuel, hear what is going on and head to the area to try to catch Jesus in his words. Meanwhile, as the teaching continues, the disciples start to realize they have a bigger problem than just angry people on their hands—everyone is getting very hungry, and they’re too far from anywhere to get food. Can Jesus come up with a way to solve this issue, as well?
WARNING for episode 8: From 14:10 – 16:50, a woman talks briefly about losing her baby (very discreet, just these words). From 18:08 – 18:13, a man says, “I needed a reading of the auspices to determine the gods’ favorability.…” At 26:46, someone says, “what in heaven?” and at 27:24, someone says “oh, my goodness”, and lies. From 1:03:44 – 1:12:24, people are caught in a storm, see what looks like a ghost, and someone almost drowns (this scene cuts in and out with another scene). The online episode ends around 1:15:00, and then there are bloopers from 1:30:56 – the end. In the bloopers, from 1:32:14 – 1:32:45, there is a suggestion that a couple “get a room”.
Going into watching The Chosen: Season 3, I was unsure whether or not I’d end up recommending our family watch it or not. I followed the behind-the-scenes as this season was being filmed, and because of some of the things I heard referenced there and read different places, I wasn’t sure if this would be something we’d want the whole family to see. In the end, though, aside from a few things I think we’ll send the younger ones out of the room for, and a few places I intend to mute and/or skip, I’m happy for my siblings to watch it.
I mentioned at the head of this review that I did have a few beefs with this season. I’ll address them now:
1. I was slightly uncomfortable with how Simon and Eden’s relationship was portrayed, and the connotations with which it was portrayed. Even though most everything, if not everything, would go over children’s heads, I thought it was unnecessary to include several vague references to intimacy in the context. Episodes 1, 2, and 4 each had a scene with a reference in it (see the warnings for times, if you’re careful about this kind of thing).
2. In episode seven, Mary and Matthew have a discussion, where Mary is almost in a motherly/teaching role with him. I didn’t have a problem with the way this scene went, but some might object to it because of Paul’s admonition that women are not to teach men (1 Tim. 2:12). In this case, I believe she was sharing her story and what God taught her through it, not actively teaching (or even trying to teach) Matthew.
3. In the last two episodes, “Jesus” makes a comment to the effect of, “The success of this trip depends on Simon.” Biblically speaking, I don’t believe this is accurate. As to the real meaning implied here, I think it was referring to Simon learning to turn his anger over to Jesus and allow Jesus to work through him despite his brokenness, but I didn’t agree with the way this was worded in the episodes.
On the whole, even though I did occasionally see glimpses of what I’d label modern Westernism peeking through the script and the way characters acted at times, I feel like this season is another fairly accurate representation of how things may have happened as Jesus continued His ministry on earth. As with the other seasons in this series, there is the danger of letting what we watch on a screen dictate what we see when we read the Bible (the same danger is at play when we read Biblical fiction, too), but if we keep in mind that this is one person’s interpretation of what New Testament scenes may have looked like, I think we’ll be safe. This is a powerful way to bring different stories from the gospels to life—I found Veronica’s story and Little James’ question for Jesus especially encouraging (although the latter was made up, I believe the Bible supports the essence of the answer he was given).
If you’ve enjoyed the first two seasons of The Chosen, I’d recommend you watch season three, as well. I loved “seeing” Jesus’ ministry continue to grow, and especially the reminder that He is in control of everything—even when I don’t see or don’t understand it.
Appropriate ages:
Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this movie:
Amazon: Prime Video | DVD | Blu-Ray
Leave a Reply