The upcoming season of The Chosen has ignited a firestorm of debate after a preview clip featuring a dramatic moment between Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot made waves on social media. Some viewers and pastors are accusing the show of straying too far from biblical texts, labeling the scene “unbiblical.”
The controversial exchange, shared by showrunner Dallas Jenkins last week, shows Jesus and Judas in an intense dialogue, with the latter challenging Jesus to “reclaim” his “birthright.” Jesus, in turn, tells Judas, “You have a choice to make. Who you belong to? Who has your heart? I want it, and I’ve had it before. You followed me willingly.”
“I want to continue,” Judas responds, his voice filled with emotion. “There’s nothing more that I want than that.”
Jesus, visibly moved, then reaches out to take Judas’s hand. “Then I will pray for you. But for now, please leave me in peace,” he says, marking a poignant moment that has sparked controversy.
New clip from the TV show 'The Chosen' has Jesus telling Judas Iscariot this super unbiblical thing. pic.twitter.com/u65JPwbBHh
— Protestia (@Protestia) December 12, 2024
Pushback from Religious Leaders
The scene quickly caught the attention of several prominent Christian leaders, with many pointing to what they see as departures from Scripture. Arizona pastor Gabriel Hughes of Providence Reformed Baptist Church criticized the portrayal, arguing that “the Bible does not say Jesus told Judas, ‘I will pray for you.'” Referencing John 17:12, Hughes reminded followers that Jesus called Judas “the son of perdition,” a term associated with Judas’s ultimate betrayal.
Similarly, Florida pastor Adam Page dismissed the scene, stating bluntly, “There’s the Bible, and then there’s The Chosen. The two rarely, if ever, meet.”
Shane Idleman, pastor at Westside Christian Fellowship, offered a nuanced view. While acknowledging the show’s use of creative freedom, he expressed concern that such dramatic liberties could mislead viewers. “We have to be careful with creative freedom,” Idleman remarked, adding, “I’m not sure that Jesus ever ‘had Judas’s heart’ initially or prayed for him.”
Supporters Defend the Scene
On the other side of the debate, several fans have rallied in defense of the scene, questioning why it has sparked such backlash. One social media user pointed out that Jesus’s desire for all to follow him is central to his ministry, suggesting that the scene, while not directly biblical, captures the essence of Jesus’s character.
“I think people are going a bit over the top about this,” the user wrote. “The scene might not be in Scripture verbatim, but it’s not unbiblical.”
A Fine Line Between Art and Scripture
Dallas Jenkins, the series creator, has long been open about The Chosen’s approach to storytelling, which blends biblical narratives with fictionalized elements. In a 2023 interview, Jenkins explained that while the Bible is the primary source for the series, he acknowledges the vast amount of content that doesn’t come directly from Scripture. “Probably 95 percent of the content of the show isn’t directly from Scripture,” he admitted, noting that the show doesn’t attempt to replace the Bible but rather uses it as inspiration for a historical drama set in first-century Galilee.
“Is this plausible?” Jenkins asks when considering scenes that diverge from the written word. “Does it fit within the character and intentions of Jesus and the Gospels?” He emphasized that the series aims to maintain the integrity of the biblical message, even when introducing creative elements.
Jenkins’s approach has sparked both praise and criticism. While some viewers appreciate the deeper connection the series fosters with the ancient world, others worry that too much artistic freedom risks distorting the portrayal of sacred figures. Jenkins himself has repeatedly said that The Chosen is not a substitute for Scripture, and its aim is not to reinvent God’s Word but to explore it in a new way.
As the show moves closer to its highly anticipated release in April 2025, the debate continues. While Jenkins remains committed to telling the stories of first-century Galilee, it’s clear that The Chosen will remain a lightning rod for questions about faith, fiction, and the fine line between the two.
For many viewers, the question remains: How much creative liberty is too much when telling stories rooted in faith?
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This is a tempest in a teacup. I find this series to be more biblical that many other movies. Two of the most enjoyable (for me) fictionalized accounts of Jesus are Anne Rice’s 2 books, “Out of Egypt” and “The Road to Cana.” The first is about Jesus as a boy of 7 or 8 years of age, after the Holy Family moved back to Nazareth after Herod died. The second book describes the life of an older Jesus, a carpenter running his father, Joseph’s, construction business. It ends with the wedding at Cana. Both books draw not only from the Bible, but from traditional writings, including apocryphal sources, and are very enjoyable. Not totally biblically based, but fleshed out with traditional beliefs. For example, Mary was 14 when she married, but Joseph was much older, and a widower, thus Jesus had step-siblings. This belief is supported by ancient religious artworks.
Probably a homosexual orgy coming up soon…