I am a latecomer to watching Angel Studios’ The Chosen series. My parents first watched season one in summer / fall 2021 and were highly impressed with the story and portrayal. My wife and I decided to give it a view last month and were instantly hooked. The artistic license with some of the stories and relationships between characters (as well as dialogue and situations not explicitly stated in Scripture) serves to paint a wonderful tapestry which draws the audience into the story and helps us to relate to the figures as they are represented. Without giving away too much, I hope to summarize the show’s first season and encourage you (the reader) to take the opportunity to “come and see” how Jesus and His followers are presented in this series.
Mary Magdalene opens the show as she is depicted in the Bible, tormented and demon possessed. Nicodemus (a prominent Pharisee) comes to town and is sought in trying to cast the demons out of Mary; he is unsuccessful. Those familiar with the Bible know that Jesus freed Mary from her possession (Luke 8:1-3) and she began following Him shortly thereafter. This depiction sets up the dynamic between Nicodemus and Jesus which culminates in John 3 where we get the most famous verse in the New Testament (if not all of the Bible)—my wife and I are halfway through Season 2 (as of this writing) and Season 3 is currently filming; the John 3 encounter has not taken place yet in the show.
Next on the scene comes Simon and his brother Andrew; fishermen by trade. The relationship and tension in Peter’s house between he and his wife, financial struggles, a Jewish man who has fallen away from his faith, feeling the oppression of Rome, as well as struggling with his ill mother-in-law staying in the home gives numerous ways to connect with him as he tries to find his identity and resolve life’s issues. James and John (fellow fishermen) along with their father Zebadee also enter the story which creates some competition between the two families regarding their trade.
Matthew is presented as an awkward, calculating, and detail-oriented personality. One of the most compelling characteristics is Matthew being shown as possibly autistic, but certainly falling somewhere on the spectrum. This presentation has drawn many people into following the show. The creators have developed the character representation of these Biblical / historical figures in such a way that we see and can relate to their humanity; we imagine real people going through similar life struggles as we do today!
As the season progresses (only 8 episodes) Jesus begins to call His followers. Andrew tells Simon about this teacher he heard and after a long night fishing with no catch, they see a crowd gathered on the shore and a lone figure facing the crowd. As the near the shore, Andrew recognizes the teacher and excitedly exclaims to his brother Simon. Jesus asks to come aboard the boat so He can be better heard, then brings Simon into His illustration by asking a pointed question. Afterwards, we see the miraculous catch of fish which nearly sinks the bot and brings Simon to the realization of Who Jesus is.
The final show of the season finds the group going into Samaria. Jesus sends His followers into town while He stays at a well and meets an outcast woman from town (John 4). This scene is beautifully played out as Jesus engages the woman regarding who she is and what He offers to her and everyone who will follow Him. This encounter is a wonderful portrayal of the “woman at the well” and is done so in a highly relatable way, giving us an idea of the human side of Jesus’ nature without detracting from His divinity.
Numerous movies and shows have been made, depicting Jesus, His followers, and the ministry at the beginning of Christianity. I have seen many of them and among my favorites is Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. I watch that film each year on Good Friday. It presents the suffering of Jesus, His obedience to the Father’s will, and His loving sacrifice for us all. As much as I enjoy and revere that movie, I am even more so loving and connected to The Chosen. For Christians and non-Christians alike, the people, places, events, and ministry of Jesus is presented in such a relatable way. The often 2-dimensional way in which we read the people in the Bible leaves us disconnected from them. The Chosen brings them to life in a compelling way. 2,000 years of history and culture separate the us today from the record of Scripture but The Chosen wonderfully bridges that gap for us, drawing the viewer into the 1st Century, and making us like a fly on the wall during the most impactful events of history. “Come and see” as Jesus begins to “stir up the water.” You will not be disappointed!
~In Christ!
Way Truth Life Apologetics 
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