Hop on board for a joyful dive into a question stirring hearts worldwide: Does The Chosen, the hit TV series about Jesus and His disciples, faithfully portray Jesus and the Gospel?
Is The Chosen an Accurate Depiction of Jesus and the Gospel? A Fun, Biblically Grounded Exploration Into The Hit Series
Hop on board for a joyful dive into a question stirring hearts worldwide: Does The Chosen, the hit TV series about Jesus and His disciples, faithfully portray Jesus and the Gospel? With millions streaming on The Chosen App, Peacock, and Netflix, this show’s mix of biblical events, historical flavor, and creative storytelling has believers and newcomers buzzing. For a ministry like Eternal Affairs Media, committed to “the truth powered by The Truth,” this is a topic worth exploring with scripture, facts, and a smile. In this 2,500-word journey, we’ll unpack The Chosen’s strengths, tackle criticisms, and measure it against the Bible’s truth, all while celebrating the Gospel’s hope. Let’s roll!
What Is The Chosen? A New Lens on the Gospels
The Chosen, launched in 2017 by Dallas Jenkins, holds the record as the largest crowdfunded TV project, raising over $10 million for Season 1. Just finished it’s sixth season in 2025, it follows Jesus and His disciples in 1st-century Judea and Galilee, dramatizing Gospel moments like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the paralytic’s healing (Mark 2:1–12), and Lazarus’ resurrection (John 11:1–44). Unlike rushed Bible films, its eight-season plan allows rich character arcs and cultural depth.
Jenkins, with a biblical studies background, aimed to make Jesus accessible, especially for those unfamiliar with Scripture. He enlisted advisors like Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel, Catholic priest Father David Guffey, and evangelical professor Dr. Doug Huffman for historical and biblical accuracy. The show’s disclaimer clarifies: “The Chosen is based on the true stories of the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed. Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added. However, all biblical and historical context and any artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures.” So, does it live up to this? Let’s find out!
Capturing Jesus’ Heart: Divine and Human
First up, how does The Chosen portray Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie? The Bible shows Jesus as fully God and man—compassionate (Matthew 9:36), authoritative (Mark 1:22), and sinless (Hebrews 4:15). The show shines here.
Roumie’s Jesus is warm, often sharing a playful grin, embodying John 15:11’s joy. Scenes of Him with children (Matthew 19:14) or offering comfort reflect Psalm 139:1–4’s intimate God. The phrase “I see you,” spoken to Simon’s wife, Eden, while not in Scripture, captures Jesus’ personal care, plausible given His interactions like John 4:26 with the Samaritan woman.
Jesus’ authority is equally vivid. In Season 1, He casts out Mary Magdalene’s demons (Luke 8:2) with a commanding yet loving tone, echoing Mark 1:25. The Sermon on the Mount (Season 2) delivers Matthew 5–7’s teachings with conviction, urging love and righteousness. These align with the Gospel’s Savior, both gentle and mighty. The show also highlights His humanity—tired after a long day (John 4:6)—reflecting Hebrews 2:17’s Jesus, “made like His brethren.” This balance resonates, with X users posting, “The Chosen shows Jesus as relatable yet divine, pushing me to my Bible!” That’s the vibe: pointing viewers to Scripture, not replacing it.
Gospel Events: True to the Word, with Flair
The Chosen recreates key Gospel events with fidelity, adding creative touches to enrich the story. Here are some standouts:
Healing the Paralytic (Mark 2:1–12): Season 1 faithfully shows Jesus healing a man lowered through a roof, including His declaration, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). Added drama—like the crowd’s skepticism—enhances the scene without altering its core.
Woman at the Well (John 4:1–42): Season 1 captures Jesus’ compassion, revealing the Samaritan woman’s past and offering “living water” (John 4:14). Expanded dialogue adds emotional weight but preserves the theological truth.
Raising Lazarus (John 11:1–44): Season 4’s portrayal is gripping, with Jesus weeping (John 11:35) before calling Lazarus forth. Added details about Mary and Martha’s grief amplify the narrative without contradicting it.
These align with the Gospels’ “intention,” as the disclaimer promises. A 2022 CBN article notes that YouVersion saw a surge in searches for characters like Nathaniel after their debut in The Chosen, suggesting it sparks biblical curiosity, fulfilling 2 Timothy 3:16’s call for Scripture to teach.
Creative Liberties: Enhancing or Overstepping?
The Chosen adds backstories and dialogue not in the Bible, which raises eyebrows. Let’s examine a few:
Mary Magdalene’s Backstory: The show portrays her as a troubled woman before Jesus delivered her (Luke 8:2). While Scripture is silent on her past, this is plausible and makes her redemption relatable, aligning with God’s heart for the broken (Psalm 34:18).
Matthew’s Autism: Matthew is depicted with Asperger’s-like traits, not mentioned in Scripture (Matthew 9:9). This humanizes the tax collector, reflecting 1 Corinthians 1:27’s theme of God choosing the unlikely, without contradicting the text.
Nicodemus’ Arc: The show expands Nicodemus’ John 3:1–21 encounter, showing his Sanhedrin struggles. This adds drama but fits his biblical curiosity (John 19:39).
Critics argue these additions risk distorting Scripture. A 2023 G3 Ministries article claims The Chosen violates the Second Commandment by depicting Jesus visually, potentially fostering idolatry, and cites a controversial line: “I am the law of Moses” (Season 3). This quote, not in the Bible, sparked debate due to its similarity to 3 Nephi 15:9 in the Book of Mormon. Jenkins addressed this in a 2022 YouTube video, denying Mormon influence and explaining, “I thought the line just sounded like something Jesus would say,” intending it to reflect Jesus fulfilling the law (Matthew 5:17). He clarified he’s never read the Book of Mormon, and the line was crafted by his evangelical, Catholic, and Messianic Jewish writers. The Bible Artist (2022) supports this, noting that “fulfilling the law” (Romans 10:4) isn’t unique to Mormonism and fits the show’s narrative.
Jesus IS The Fulfillment of The Law !!!
The Bible allows creative retellings—Psalm 77 reimagines the Red Sea parting poetically, and Isaiah 51:9–10 uses mythic imagery for Exodus 14. The Chosen is a dramatization, not Scripture, urging viewers to consult the Gospels.
Addressing Criticisms: Valid or Overblown?
Some Christians question The Chosen’s approach:
Theological Concerns: A 2023 TruthScript article flags Angel Studios’ Mormon founders, suggesting non-Christian influence. Jenkins, an evangelical, insists his team controls content, and no Mormon doctrine appears. The diverse cast—Arab, Latin, South Asian—reflects Judea’s ethnic mix, not theology.
Adding to Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:2 (“You shall not add to the word”) fuels criticism of extra-biblical dialogue. Yet John 21:25 notes Jesus did many unrecorded things, suggesting room for plausible storytelling. The Chosen avoids doctrinal additions, unlike Revelation 22:18’s warning against altering prophecy.
Emotional Impact: A Gospel Coalition article cautions that vivid imagery might overshadow Scripture (Hebrews 12:2). Jenkins agrees, stating in 2025, “It would be bad to replace the Bible with The Chosen,” urging Bible study.
X posts reflect mixed views, some calling it a “false Christ,” citing human flaws, while others credit its evangelistic impact. Most fans lean positive, seeing it as a gateway to faith.
The Gospel’s Core: Does It Shine?
The Gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). The Chosen has now reached its pinnacle with the Season 6 crucifixion episode, which aired starting March 2025, rocking the world with its emotional and spiritual weight. This long-awaited depiction, covering the final day of Jesus’ Passion, fulfills Jenkins’ promise to portray “the most famous moment in history” with authenticity and depth. Unlike Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, which shocked with graphic violence, The Chosen focuses on the disciples’ perspective, delivering an emotionally devastating yet accessible portrayal, mindful of its diverse audience, including children.
Jenkins revealed to Variety that Season 6’s crucifixion avoids excessive gore, emphasizing the disciples’ heartbreak and confusion, aligning with John 16:20’s promise that sorrow will turn to joy. X posts capture the impact, with some noting “It’s not as raw as The Passion but still heartbreaking,” reflecting its emotional resonance. The episode underscores Jesus’ sacrifice—His sinless death for humanity’s redemption (1 Peter 2:22–24)—while setting the stage for Season 7’s resurrection, ensuring the Gospel’s full arc. Scenes leading up to the crucifixion, like the Last Supper in Season 5, introduced the Eucharist and Jesus’ betrayal (Luke 22:14–21), grounding the narrative in biblical truth.
The Chosen’s Gospel portrayal remains orthodox: Jesus is divine (John 10:30), sinless, and the only way to God (John 14:6). Modernized dialogue, like teaching love for enemies (Matthew 5:44), makes the message accessible. A 2024 Compelling Truth article praises its focus on personal relationships with God, spurring growth. The crucifixion episode’s global impact—grossing over $11 million in its opening weekend—shows it’s touching hearts, fulfilling Romans 1:16’s “power of God to salvation.” For Eternal Affairs Media’s audience, this moment reinforces the Gospel’s transformative power, echoing Acts 4:12: “There is salvation in no one else.”
Historical Context: Bringing Judea to Life
The Chosen vividly recreates 1st-century Judea, with Jenkins studying Jewish culture in Israel. Advisors like Rabbi Sobel ensure accurate Passover and Sabbath details, matching Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews. Minor inaccuracies—like Roman stirrups appearing early—don’t undermine the Gospel. The diverse cast, led by Roumie’s Arab heritage, reflects the region’s ethnic blend, echoing Galatians 3:28’s unity in Christ. Movieweb (2024) lauds this, saying it “honors spiritual teachings” for modern viewers.
Spreading Joyful Faith
The Chosen isn’t flawless—it’s a drama, not a Bible. Its creative additions won’t satisfy purists, but its impact is powerful. A 2023 Viral Believer article calls it “a great tool for sharing the gospel,” with stories of non-Christians exploring faith post-viewing. A 2024 churchgoer shared, “The Chosen made Jesus real to me. I’m now in John’s Gospel.” This fulfills Acts 1:8’s witness call. For believers, it visualizes Mark 4:35–41’s storm-calming, illuminating Psalm 119:105’s “lamp to my feet.”
Conclusion: A Faithful, Fun Spark
Is The Chosen accurate? It’s not a verbatim Bible but a biblically inspired drama capturing Jesus’ love, power, and mission, aligned with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Fact-checked quotes, like Jenkins’ call to prioritize Scripture, confirm its intent to point to the Gospels, not replace them. Creative liberties, like “I am the law of Moses,” are debated but plausible within Matthew 5:17’s framework. For Eternal Affairs Media’s truth-seekers, The Chosen is a joyful tool to engage the Gospel, provided you heed Jenkins’ advice: check it against Scripture. So, stream an episode, chuckle at Jesus’ warmth, marvel at His miracles, and let John 3:16—“For God so loved the world”—light your path. The Gospel’s truth is alive, and The Chosen is one way to fan that flame!
