Jonathan Haggard

by Jonathan Haggard

What was Simon Peter’s life like before he started following Jesus? How could Simon the Zealot collaborate with Matthew, a tax collector? If you are looking for a resource to revitalize your study of the Scriptures and open the door for sharing Jesus’ message with unbelievers, then we have a resource for you. 

The Chosen is a historical drama video series on the life of Jesus and his disciples. Three of the seven planned seasons are now available. According to the series’ distributor, the goal is “to reach a billion people with the authentic Jesus, taking viewers deeper into the gospel stories by retelling and expounding on the character and intentions of Jesus and those who knew him.” I find the character development to be very credible, and the show has deepened my faith and provided great material for conversation with other believers and nonbelievers alike. 

Context and Character Development 

The writers provide additional insight into the gospel message by portraying the culture of first-century Palestine. The Roman occupation is a persistent presence. For example, the diversity among Jews becomes clear in the plausible backstories of Simon the Zealot and Nicodemus and other Pharisees. We also learn about the two primary competing schools of rabbinic exposition at the time of Jesus, those of Hillel and Shammai.  

Women are prominent as Jesus’ disciples and in other roles. Some are biblical characters such as Mary Magdalene. Others are added, such as Nicodemus’s wife Zohara, Simon Peter’s wife Eden, and Ramah, an expert in wines introduced at the wedding at Cana. The women often play key parts in the story, although they are sometimes relegated to stereotypical roles.  

Interestingly, Matthew is depicted as being on the autism spectrum. He is brilliant with numbers, which is one reason he chose to become a tax collector, and after he decides to follow Jesus, his meticulous notetaking will eventually help him write an accurate gospel account. 

Called to Reconciliation 

Reconciliation among the disciples is a common theme. In the second episode of season 3, Jesus pairs his disciples to send them out. The Bible doesn’t mention who is paired with whom, but the way this is done in The Chosen forces the disciples to live out this reconciliation. Who do you think is the better candidate to be paired with Matthew—Simon Peter, who used to pay his taxes to Matthew, or Simon the Zealot, who had at one time sworn an oath to kill tax collectors? 

Knowing Jesus in New Ways 

The church small group that I’m a part of has been watching and discussing The Chosen together. One person pointed out how the series brings out Jesus’ humanity, making him more relatable, such as when he is exhausted after a day of healing many people. Another shared that she now reads the Bible in a fresh way by imagining the tone of voice in dialogue passages. Yet another said that after every episode he feels like he has had an encounter with Jesus. 

Why is the title The Chosen? While the series has not made this explicit, I believe it’s related to the focus on the disciples whom Jesus chose. If we can be like this fabulously flawed, doctrinally diverse group who were drawn to follow Jesus, we as a forgiving and forgiven community have the opportunity—indeed, the calling—to continue the mission that they began: to turn this world upside down. 

Episodes are available free on The Chosen app and at Angel.com/Watch/The-Chosen in many languages, including with voiceovers in Chinese, French, Indonesian, and Spanish, and closed captions in these and additional languages, including Haitian Creole and Vietnamese. 

This article first appeared in Leader, Summer 2023, © 2023 MennoMedia. Reprinted by permission.