Tag: The Chosen

While the two disciples least likely to share a road trip—let alone a rescue mission—head out to find Mary, Philip shows up with a gut‑punch of an update. John the Baptist has been thrown into prison by Herod. The mood instantly drops. Nobody knows what this means for the forerunner, but it doesn’t look good. Honestly, the only thing that could lift their spirits at this point is Mary returning safely…and maybe a decent meal.

Food doesn’t show up, but Mary does. Well—technically Matthew and Simon find her, but it’s hard to tell who found whom. Either way, after some gentle nudging (and Simon’s version of encouragement, which is basically emotional sandpaper), Mary agrees to come back. She pushes through her shame, her fear, her brokenness, and walks toward Jesus. And the moment she arrives? The women sprint to her like she’s family returning from war, and Jesus welcomes her with arms wide open.

Mary’s story hits home for all of us. We all wander. We all fall short. But Jesus never stops opening His arms. If you feel far from God right now, let go of the shame you’ve been dragging around. Ask for forgiveness. Come home. He’s already waiting.

Jesus then takes the disciples to a small‑town synagogue for Sabbath. The moment He steps inside, He spots a man with a withered hand. And because Jesus is Jesus, He doesn’t hesitate. He heals the man right there in the synagogue. One miracle later, the man’s hand is restored…and the Pharisees are furious. They’re so focused on rule‑keeping that they completely miss the miracle happening in front of their faces. A man who couldn’t use his hand can now work, worship, and live fully again. This scene comes straight from Mark 3:1‑6.

And speaking of breaking rules, Simon manages to do it without even trying. As they’re walking, he casually grabs some grain to munch on. Every disciple freezes in astonishment. Simon realizes what he’s done, spits it out, and apologizes like a kid caught stealing cookies. Harvesting grain on the Sabbath is a no‑go according to Jewish law. But Jesus, seeing how hungry everyone is, gives the green light. Of course, the Pharisees appear out of nowhere—again—to scold them for breaking Sabbath rules. This moment is found in Matthew 12:1‑3.

Jesus really knows how to push a Pharisee’s buttons. If you would like to dive deeper into these stories from scripture, join me in completing the attached bible study. We saw it come to life in the show, let’s read what the bible says too!

Who’s ready for another wild episode where someone else says “Yes” to Jesus? This time it’s Simon the Zealot, and he doesn’t stroll in casually. Oh no. He arrives in full Zealot stealth mode—creeping through shadows, tracking Jesus like he’s on a top-secret mission, and sizing up the disciples like he’s deciding whether to join their club or take them down. Classic Simon.

On his way, he bumps into a demon-possessed man, but this is not the first time he meets him. The demon enters the disciples camp and starts talking to Mary, bringing up memories of her old self possessed by not only one demon, but seven. The demon attacks Mary and luckily Simon the Zealot was lurking nearby and stepped in. Mary is safe, but the demon overpowers Simon and Jesus commands the demon to leave the man, ensuring everyone is safe from evil. None of this is in scripture by the way! The writers of The Chosen took a lot of liberties in this episode. This interaction isn’t in the bible and neither is the meet up that Jesus has with John the Baptist.

Let’s talk about John the Baptist. He pops up along the shoreline like he’s been waiting for Jesus to walk by. Andrew is thrilled, but John has business to discuss. He tells Jesus he’s heading to Jerusalem to call out Herod for marrying Herodias, even though Jewish law forbids it. Jesus warns him not to stir up Herod’s anger, but John barrels ahead anyway. None of this conversation appears in scripture, but it does set the stage for what’s coming in future seasons.

Meanwhile, the Pharisees are still fuming about the healing at the Bethesda pool. Shmuel and his Pharisee buddy are scheming again, trying to spark an investigation into Jesus. Their plan? Pit the religious groups against each other and let the chaos do the work. Spoiler: this won’t be the last time they try to drag Jesus into trouble.

Back to Mary. After the terrifying demon encounter, she slips away into Jericho and heads straight into a bar. A bar. Mary, what are you doing? Jesus sends Simon and Matthew to go find her, and that’s where the episode leaves us—Mary missing, the disciples searching, and viewers hanging on the edge of their seats.

If you want to dig deeper into what the Bible actually says about these scenes (and what it doesn’t), check out the attached study guide. Let’s just say this episode takes more than a few creative detours from scripture.

Two new brothers step into the spotlight in this episode, and talk about opposites. On one side, you’ve got Simon the Zealot—sharp, disciplined, lethal, practically vibrating with purpose. On the other, Jesse—paralyzed, gentle, and clinging to the hope that one day the waters of Bethesda will finally heal him. Twenty‑five years of waiting, watching, and never quite making it into the pool in time. Twenty‑five years of disappointment settling into his bones.

These two haven’t spoken since the day Simon walked out to train with the Zealots. Years of silence. Years of hurt. And then, in the middle of an assassination mission in Jerusalem, Simon suddenly finds himself face‑to‑face with the brother he left behind. The reunion is anything but warm. Simon calls out Jesse for putting his hope in what he sees as pagan superstition. Jesse fires right back, pointing out the obvious: Simon is literally in Jerusalem to kill someone. It’s a tense, messy, painfully honest moment between two men who have lived very different lives.

Then Jesse pulls out the letter. The letter Simon wrote before he left home. The letter Jesse kept all these years. And here’s where The Chosen’s creativity shines. The show takes this fictional letter and threads it straight into Simon’s redemption arc. Jesse reads the line that shows he never gave up on Jesse: “When Simon sees Jesse standing on his own two feet, he will know that the Messiah has come.”

And then it happens.

At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals Jesse. No race to the water. No struggle. Just the Messiah speaking life into a body that hasn’t stood in decades. Jesse rises, picks up his mat, and walks away from the place that held his hope hostage for half his life. And where does he go? Straight to the one person who needs to see him standing.

Meanwhile, Simon is moments away from murder. Knife in hand. Mission locked in. And then he sees Jesse. Standing. Whole. Alive in a way Simon always wished was possible. The knife drops. The mission dies. The brothers collide in a moment that feels like a miracle all on its own. Simon doesn’t know yet who healed Jesse, but he’s about to. And when he does, everything changes.

It’s a powerful blend of healing, redemption, and reunion. The creators of The Chosen take the account from John 5:2–9 and weave it together with the story of Simon the Zealot in a way that’s imaginative and deeply moving. But it’s important to remember where the creative liberties come in. Scripture never says these two men were brothers. The healing at Bethesda and the calling of Simon the Zealot are separate biblical events. You can find Simon mentioned in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13.

Still, what a compelling way to bring these stories to life.

I hope this episode stirred you the way it stirred me. Grab the study guide, open your Bible, and let’s dive in together.

This episode hangs on one powerhouse verse, Matthew 4:24:

Matthew 4:24 (ESV) – So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.

If you ever wondered what a full day of miracles looks like, this episode gives you the front-row seat. Jesus does some major healing in this episode! He actually spends all day and night healing people that come to see him. The lines are long, crowds of people are everywhere with everyone hoping the miracle worker will heal them. The disciples try to help out by organizing the crowds, talking to the people, and keeping everyone in line, literally, there was a huge line of people waiting on Jesus.

While Jesus is pouring himself out for the crowds, the disciples gather around the fire for what can only be described as the first small-group hangout. They swap stories, tease each other, and even confess to eating some forbidden food. Bacon may or may not have been involved. But in between the laughs, something real happens—they open up. They get honest. They build community.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a group of humans without a little drama. Things get tense when Peter and Andrew bring up their issues with Matthew’s past as a tax collector. The moment they shift their focus from Jesus to themselves, everything starts to unravel. By the time Jesus returns, exhausted and barely able to stand, the disciples are knee-deep in conflict. But the second they see him—worn out, dusty, and still full of compassion—their priorities snap back into place. It’s a powerful reminder for all of us: when our eyes drift off Jesus, things get messy fast.

Another verse quietly anchors this episode:

Psalm 139:8 (ESV) – If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

Matthew, hungry to understand God, asks Philip where to begin studying Scripture. Philip points him to this verse, and Matthew wrestles with it. He doesn’t get it yet, but he’s determined to keep digging. And honestly, that’s one of the most beautiful parts of the episode. Matthew’s curiosity, his desire to learn, his willingness to ask questions—it’s the kind of posture every believer should want. Not perfection. Not instant understanding. Just a heart that says, “I want to know Him more.”

If you want to explore the Scriptures behind this episode, the study guide is waiting for you. Dive in, wrestle with the verses, and let God meet you in the questions—just like He did with Matthew.

New faces are stepping into the story, and watching them drop everything to follow Jesus is one of the best parts of this episode. The excitement is contagious.

Did you ever imagine a fig tree becoming the turning point of someone’s entire life? Nathanael certainly didn’t. Yet there he was—crushed, discouraged, sitting under that fig tree at rock bottom. And then Jesus tells him, not “I heard you,” but “I saw you.” That one detail changes everything. Jesus wasn’t just aware of Nathanael’s pain; He was present in it. Suddenly the fig tree becomes the place where despair collided with divine attention. I doubt Nathanael ever walked past one again without remembering the moment he was fully seen.

Then comes Philip, the second new disciple we meet. He’s been following John the Baptist, soaking up every word about the coming Messiah. So when Jesus calls him, there’s no hesitation, no dramatic pause—just an immediate, joyful “I will!” The other disciples aren’t sure what to make of him at first, but Andrew recognizes him instantly, and their old friendship snaps right back into place. You can almost feel Philip’s eagerness. After all that waiting, he finally meets the One John kept talking about.

As the group grows, their personalities start to shine through. And let’s be honest—Simon and Matthew are like flint and steel. Every scene hints that sparks are coming. But right in the middle of that tension, Philip quietly steps in as the unexpected peacemaker, the guy who sees value in everyone, even the ones who rub others the wrong way.

Meanwhile, the women following Jesus—Mary and Ramah—are hungry to learn. They’re leaning in, asking questions, studying Scripture with a passion that’s contagious. And who joins them? Matthew. The same Matthew who’s usually buried in numbers and scrolls suddenly wants to understand the Word of God more deeply. As Jesus and the disciples quote Scripture and prophecy, you can feel the pieces clicking into place. Some of those ancient promises are unfolding right in front of them.

Has watching The Chosen stirred something similar in you? A curiosity about the Bible? A desire to understand the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Savior who ties it all together? If so, the study attached to this post is the perfect next step. Dive in, explore, and discover more about the miraculous, wonderful Jesus who still sees us—just like He saw Nathanael under that fig tree.

The spotlight swings dramatically onto James and John in this season’s opening episode, and let’s be honest—they absolutely steal the show. The Sons of Thunder don’t just enter the story; they charge in. They’re out there sowing a field like champs, earning a big thumbs-up from Jesus Himself. But the real fireworks don’t go off until later, when we finally discover why Jesus gave them that electrifying nickname. These brothers have a temper when someone disrespects their Rabbi. They’re ready to call down fire from heaven. Literal fire. From heaven. On people. You definitely don’t want to cross them on a bad day.

What they didn’t realize was that the field they so proudly sowed was destined for a Samaritan robber. And then Jesus—turning down dinner invitations from the religious elite—chooses instead to bring a meal to this crippled Samaritan’s home. During dinner, the man confesses how he became crippled, and suddenly the story sounds familiar. Very familiar. The robber from the Good Samaritan parable? The one who beat the Jew and left him for dead? That’s him. The Chosen flips the parable on its head and asks a question we rarely consider: what about the robber’s guilt? I can’t say I’ve ever paused long enough to wonder what became of him, but here he is—broken, remorseful, and face-to-face with the Messiah.

As if that twist weren’t enough, the episode also weaves in Jesus’ teaching on the Lost Sheep. The shepherd leaves ninety-nine perfectly fine sheep to chase down the one that wandered off. And when he finds it, he doesn’t scold it or drag it home—he rejoices. What a picture of redemption. If you’ve drifted, if you’ve been distracted by the world, if Jesus feels far away, this is your reminder: come back. God celebrates when we turn from sin and return to Him. Heaven throws a party over one repentant heart.

The episode bookends itself with an older John, quill in hand, wrestling with how to begin his gospel. He wants it to stand apart from Matthew’s account, and he’s searching for the perfect opening. The parallels between Genesis and John’s prologue are unmistakable. He interviews eyewitnesses, gathers details, and then closes with a line that should stop us in our tracks. John 21:25 reminds us that Jesus did so many things that the world itself couldn’t contain the books if they were all written down. We know the stories preserved in Scripture, but Jesus’ ministry lasted three years—three years of healing, preaching, restoring, and transforming thousands of lives. Imagine what we don’t know. Imagine the moments that never made it onto the page.

And yet, we have what God wanted us to have. So let’s dive into this season’s Bible study together. Feel free to download the first session of the bible study below. Let’s compare what we’re watching with what’s written. Let’s learn more about Jesus Christ, the One whose works could fill libraries, but whose recorded words and actions are more than enough to change our lives.

Who doesn’t love a party? And not just any party—a Matthew party. Season 1 wraps up by dropping us right into the most unexpected social event in Capernaum: the quirky, literal, socially-awkward tax collector hosting a house full of sinners. Matthew throwing a party is already wild enough, but the Pharisees catching wind of it? That’s when things get spicy. They march right up to Jesus, demanding to know why He’s eating with those people.

Jesus doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t apologize. He doesn’t even blink. He simply says, “I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners.” (Mark 2:15–17) Translation: These are exactly the people I came for. Jesus came for us sinners! He wants to party with us! Jesus loves you and wants to be with you. It doesn’t matter that you are sinner, it doesn’t matter what you have done in your past. He came for you, to save you!

The disciples and Jesus prepare to head off on their journey. But before they can do that, Jesus needs to do a little healing again so Simon can leave his family behind with peace of mind. As we saw in the previous episodes, Simon’s mother-in-law is sick and has been staying with him and Eden. Her health is not getting better. Luckily Simon knows someone even better than a doctor, he knows the healer and miracle-worker Jesus! Jesus heals his mother-in-law and she instantly pops right out of bed and wants to serve them. (Luke 4:38-39) Once a mother, always a mother – thinking of how to serve her children.

Now, hopefully you caught the Old Testament flashback at the beginning of the episode—Jacob’s sons digging a well. It seems random at first, but The Chosen loves a good setup. That well becomes the stage for one of the most iconic moments in Jesus’ ministry: His encounter with the Samaritan woman. (John 4:5–30)

At that well, Jesus reveals who He is. He offers her living water. He tells her the truth about her life—not to shame her, but to free her. And she believes Him. She doesn’t tiptoe away quietly. She doesn’t keep it to herself. She drops everything and sprints into town to tell everyone she knows. She becomes the first person in the series who isn’t told to “tell no one.” Her testimony becomes the spark that ignites an entire community.

What about you? What’s your testimony? Are you running to tell others about Jesus the way she did?

And then there’s that ending. Simon’s reaction when he realizes Jesus didn’t tell her to keep quiet—his whole face lights up. Then he shouts, “It is time!” with the kind of excitement that makes you want to jump off the couch and yell it with him. It’s the perfect setup for Season 2, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel the momentum building.

If you want to dig deeper into the scriptures behind this episode, check out the study attached. I hope you’ve loved walking through Season 1 with me. Let’s keep going—Season 2 is calling.

If you have been following along and only need the study guide for Episode 8, it is attached below. I have also included the entire study guide if you are just now getting started.

The Chosen – Season 1 – Episode 8 Study Guide

The entire The Chosen – Season 1 Study Guide is attached which includes all 8 episodes.

Matthew finally steps out of the shadows in this episode, and it’s about time. After watching everyone else get their moment with Jesus, the spotlight swings his way—and the tension is building. This is his invitation. His turn. His moment to choose.

And what makes it so compelling is that Matthew hasn’t been a passive bystander. He’s been quietly collecting data like the world’s most anxious accountant. He saw Simon’s empty nets explode with fish. He watched a paralyzed man stand up and walk home. Every miracle has chipped away at his skepticism, leaving him with a pile of questions he can’t file neatly into any category. So where does he go? Home. To the one person who has always tried to understand him—his mother.

The scene is heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. He knocks on the door of a house where he’s no longer welcome, hoping for clarity. His father isn’t there, which is a mercy, and Matthew spills out his confusion. He can’t make sense of what he’s seen. Logic fails him. Numbers fail him. And yet something in him is waking up. Scripture doesn’t record this conversation, or even that Matthew witnessed these miracles firsthand, but it’s not hard to imagine that something had been stirring long before Jesus said, “Follow me.”

But Matthew isn’t the only one receiving an invitation.

Nicodemus gets his own private audience with Jesus—arranged by Mary, no less. The teacher of teachers meets the Teacher, and the conversation is legendary. Jesus introduces the idea of being born again, of becoming something entirely new. Nicodemus wrestles with it, turning it over in his mind like a puzzle piece that doesn’t seem to fit. And out of that late‑night conversation comes the verse that has echoed throughout centuries: John 3:16. A single verse that captures the heartbeat of the Christian faith.

Then Jesus extends the same invitation He will later give Matthew: “Follow me.”
It is not recorded like this in scriptures, but either way the unfortunate truth is that Nicodemus doesn’t become a disciple and doesn’t follow Jesus like Matthew. Have you accepted Jesus’ invitation like Matthew or are you still skeptical like Nicodemus? Following Jesus is a choice and a gift from God. I urge you to make your decision to follow him!

Which brings us back to Matthew.

At the end of the episode Matthew locks eyes with Jesus and he asks that question we have been waiting for – He asks Matthew to follow him. Matthew does not hesitate like Nicodemus, he drops everything, gets out of that tax booth and follows him. Matthew doesn’t hesitate. No bargaining. No calculating. No weighing the pros and cons. He simply gets up, leaves the tax booth, and follows. Just like that. (Matthew 9:9) The man who built his life on numbers and certainty steps into a future he can’t predict, because he finally knows the One worth trusting. It was such a touching moment and one where you know Matthew made the life-changing, no regrets, awesome choice that will forever change his life.

If this episode stirred something in you, don’t stop here. Dive deeper. Explore the scriptures behind the scenes. Sit with the questions, the invitations, the moments of hesitation and courage. The attached Bible study will help you do just that.

Jesus is worth following. His invitation still stands. Step toward Him, open the Word, and see what He reveals.

Jesus is a healing machine! The episode Indescribable Compassion wears its title proudly, because once Jesus steps onto the scene, healing starts breaking out like wildfire. The moment the leper approaches, the disciples react exactly how you’d expect—panic, scrambling, “Jesus, get back!” energy. But Jesus? He moves toward the man everyone else avoids. He reaches out, touches him, and in an instant the man’s skin clears, his dignity returns, and his entire life is rewritten. It’s one of those moments where you can almost hear heaven cheering.

Meanwhile, Tamar is watching all of this with her mind racing. She already felt a connection to Jesus because of their shared Egyptian background, but witnessing this miracle? That flips a switch. Suddenly she’s thinking of her paralytic friend and wondering if Jesus might do for him what He just did for the leper. Later in the episode, she brings her friend to Jesus—and what an entrance he gets. It’s dramatic, memorable, and very Chosen-style storytelling. Scripture doesn’t record Tamar witnessing the leper’s healing or bringing a paralytic to Jesus, but the creators weave these characters together to build a cohesive narrative.

After healing the leper, Jesus heads back to Capernaum. What starts as a casual hangout with the disciples quickly turns into a full-on teaching session as people gather around Him. The crowd grows so large, a paralytic man and his four friends can’t get him close enough for Jesus to heal him. So, they take the only route they could think of – the roof! The paralytic man’s four friends start to tear off the roof and lower him at the foot of Jesus as he is teaching.

Jesus sees their faith and responds by saying the words that send every Pharisee into silent outrage: “Your sins are forgiven.” They don’t say a word out loud, but Jesus reads their thoughts like an open scroll. He challenges them, pointing out that forgiving sins is actually the harder claim to prove. Then, just to make His point unmistakable, He heals the man on the spot. The paralytic stands up, picks up his mat, and walks out in front of everyone. Matthew 2:2–12 captures this moment beautifully.

And this is just the beginning. Jesus’ ministry is packed with miracles, each one revealing more of who He is and why He came. Don’t stop here—open your Bible and explore the rest of His incredible works. If you want to dig deeper into this episode and compare what’s in the show with what’s in Scripture, grab your free study guide below and keep the journey going.