The Chosen - A New Perspective On Jesus And The Woman At The Well

HarrisonWoodard.com ^ | 05/16/2022 | Harrison Woodard

[Kandy Atz]

The Chosen – Now Streaming Online

I’ve watched The Chosen, Season 1 & 2 and was quite pleased. The quality is very impressive for a crowd funded production. Unlike Gospel of John, which kept very carefully to the Book, there was plenty of creativity employed. But unlike the debacles of Exodus: Gods and Kings (Moses) and Noah, it does not undermine the story. Instead it supports the narrative. Case in point, the clip below is one of my favorite stories – Jesus and the woman at the well. This story has been butchered and reimagined for centuries. Many have assumed she was a prostitute, or notorious tart – when nothing in Scripture even suggests this. Life was just hard for women in the 1st century. Men died, divorced, and abandoned their wives for a host of reasons. She was a woman who had a very poor self image – no surprise after what she had endured.

She could have watered with the other women, but instead preferred to go alone – feeding her depression even more. She was articulate, and seemingly far more educated than the average woman of her time. She was able to hold her own talking religious differences between Samaritans and Jews with the Son of God! And the kicker, she KNEW the Messiah was coming – she was expecting Him. And KNEW that He would explain everything to them. How many people in the Middle East even knew who the Messiah was, much less were expecting Him? This is why Jesus had a Divine Appointment with this very woman. He HAD to go through Samaria to meet this woman. This kind of faith gets rewarded.

In the Bible, after finding out the identity of Jesus, she runs and gathers the village and they all come to hear Jesus for themselves. And He ends up teaching them for two days. If this woman had a bad reputation, by the reaction of the village to her testimony of Jesus, it sure doesn’t seem like there were any issues. They believed that she had met someone who just perhaps was the Messiah.

The woman’s central claim is that the man told her everything she had ever done. But the Bible does not record any details about the woman except the number of men she had been married to – 5, and was now living with #6. So, in The Chosen, Jesus begins to recall each husband, and a key factor as to why the relationship ended. He only mentions two, as the woman cannot endure a complete review of her life. Jesus made His point. He KNEW everything about her – the good, bad, and ugly, and yet still loved her. She did not need to hide who she was with Him. It likely was the only honest adult interaction she had experienced in life.

This addition, even though not in Scripture, made the scene all the more powerful. Sometimes, Jesus seems distant. But in this moment, you can see Love in action. You can appreciate the Love He has for you – no matter what you might have done or experienced in life. You can be honest, put everything out there KNOWING that you will not be condemned. And that is TRULY Good News.

Link to the Woman at the Well scene, Season 1, Episode 8.

Watch Season 1 & 2 for free: The Chosen

I am not associated with the studio, cast, or crew in any way. I simply appreciate their work thus far.

My earlier Post from Matneywoodard.com on Jesus And The Woman At The Well.

[Kandy Atz]

The Woman at the Well is one of my favorite Jesus encounters in the Bible. I have heard a handful of sermons, and read a few commentaries that were unfairly harsh towards this woman. I disagree. This was a remarkable woman, who had endured some very difficult times, and yet was one of only a few who were actively waiting for the Messiah! And she became one of the most successful evangelists in the Gospels.

A recent viewing of The Chosen, specifically the scene featuring this encounter, led me to consider it a little more.

God Bless You!

[McGavin999]

I’ve watched both seasons (BTW you can donate for others to watch for free). It’s beautifully done and is a labor of love for all connected.

[crusty old prospector]

We enjoy The Chosen and look forward to Season 3.

[metmom]

We watched some online but were so annoyed at the ads interrupting and the video stopping loading in the middle of the movie, that we just went out and bought the DVDs at Hobby Lobby, with no regrets.

[McGavin999]

You prebought it? It’s not out until September.

[McGavin999]

Oops sorry, wrong thread. Get the ap. You can watch it uninterrupted

[xp38]

Yeah it’s really well done. Maybe 90 to 95% non biblical but like you say it supports the narrative and it meshes perfectly when the biblical parts arrive.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Wonderful post. Many thanks.

Here is the scene:

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

[Ezekiel]

She was able to hold her own talking religious differences between Samaritans and Jews with the Son of God!

This is a very interesting video clip in ways of knowledge that the producers could not know.

In any case, in real life Jesus and the Woman at the Well don't have accents.

[Kandy Atz]

That was the key point of my post. Usually the extra stuff infuriates me, because it detracts so much from the actual text. This scene does deviate from the text, but does so in a way that "could" have happened - and probably did.

When Jesus starts recalling her husbands - it certainly sounds like:

29 Come, see a Man Who has told me everything that I ever did! Can this be [is not this] the Christ? [Must not this be the Messiah, the Anointed One?]

The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987), Jn 4:29.

If I were the director, I would have shot it a bit different. I see from the text that the woman was well spoken, doesn't come off as overly emotional, and is very familiar with religion, especially about the coming Messiah. That was one area I thought was lacking.

[freepertoo]

I know I am in the minority, but The Chosen really disturbs me. This is not Jesus. I would never have been a follower of this uncertain, must ask the disciples how to deliver a sermon Jesus. It is not the Lord I know in my heart.

[thesearethetimes...]

Mark!!

[Kandy Atz]

Its not Jesus. Its an actor playing the role of Jesus.

Keep in mind though, He came to Earth as the Son of Man - his most popular title for himself.

5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] 6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!

The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987), Php 2:5–8.

Jesus will meet people when and where needed. He will be Savior, Lord, Advisor, Friend - whatever the Believer requires. He is the Living Word, the Lamb of God, King of Kings, Love Himself and on and on. He can be whatever is necessary to save lost souls.

The actor portraying Jesus may not be your cup of tea. But maybe there are a few thousand people out there who know very little, or even worse know only false things about Jesus, who might want to get to know the real Jesus because of the show. When the entertainment alternatives are Lucifer, Reality shows, and drag queen competitions - this just might be a good alternative.

freepertoo - You do not have to defend your opinion. I know exactly what you mean from watching other Biblical shows. This response was to your post, but really for anyone else that might have similar sentiments. KNOWING Jesus personally certainly raises the bar, and it would be quite difficult to replicate perfection on screen with a cast of ordinary folks.

[daniel1212]

" This story has been butchered and reimagined for centuries. Many have assumed she was a prostitute, or notorious tart – when nothing in Scripture even suggests this. Life was just hard for women in the 1st century. Men died, divorced, and abandoned their wives for a host of reasons. She was a woman who had a very poor self image – no surprise after what she had endured. She could have watered with the other women, but instead preferred to go alone – feeding her depression even more."

...when nothing in Scripture even suggests this.

While being a prostitute is not a warrant conclusion, that she is a notorious sinner is. When seeking this living water, "Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither." (John 4:16) Rather than this not being "a condemnation of her past" - and present - but a recognition that "she needed true love in her life" which you read into the text, that the Lord is revealing His omniscience and pointing out her need for repentance in order to receive this living water is the conclusion that is most warranted, consistent with "go and sin no more| i"n another encounter with a women.

And what follows, that "The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him" (John 4:28-30) is consistent with this women of five husbands and cohabiting with another being notorious, since it is a an expected response to a well known sinner giving such a testimony. Any man who told her all that she ever I did - which the men knew was substantial, warranted investigation!

But your liberal eisegesis is not new.

[daniel1212]

". I would never have been a follower of this uncertain, must ask the disciples how to deliver a sermon Jesus. It is not the Lord I know in my heart."

I have not seen it, and certainly your description is contrary to the Christ of Scripture. I am also alarmed about the type of alliance and level of spiritual discernment of the shows creator:

Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the most successfully crowdfunded series of all time, “The Chosen,” said...that he has friends who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church), among them being the brothers who launched Angel Studios, the streaming platform behind “The Chosen.".."When I've talked about my brothers and sisters in Christ, and when I talked about those LDS folks that I know who loved the same Jesus I do, I'm referring to some of the friends that I have who identify as LDS who I've gotten to know very deeply over the last few years, in particular. And I've had hundreds of hours of conversations with [them], and I stand by the statement that those friends of mine that I'm referring to absolutely love the same Jesus that I do,” he said....The series writer and creator maintained that he has Mormon friends who believe in “Jesus of Nazareth, the Jesus of the Gospels, the Jesus that I’m portraying in the show, and I do believe and do stand by that statement.”

Jenkins further stressed that he alone is responsible for the content in “The Chosen” and is inspired by the Bible...In an earlier interview with Ruslan KD, Jenkins assured viewers that “The Chosen” did not receive any funding from Angel Studios or any religious organization. He maintained that while Angel Studios employs people who are Mormon, the company is only a "distribution partner," and "they don't actually fund it," he said. - https://www.christianpost.com/news/dallas-jenkins-clarifies-his-mormons-are-christians-comments.html

This is the first time a production not affiliated with the church has been allowed to use the Jerusalem set, an authentic re-creation of significant locations in the ancient city that roughly covers the area of a football field or two....“We found that we had the same goal in mind, which was to make Jesus known around the world,” the director said. - https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/10/28/21515467/the-chosen-faith-utah-desert-film-jesus-lds-mormon-show-jesus-dallas-jenkins-covid-testing

“The Chosen” is distributed by partner Angel Studios, a streaming video company that was co-founded by brothers Neal and Jeffrey Harmon, who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....Angel Studios raised millions through crowdfunding to fund the multi-season series about the life of Jesus Christ.

[metmom]

Mormons use the same words but have their own definitions.

You just have to drill down deeply to find out who they are referring to when they say Jesus, for example.

[punknpuss]

I’ve always interpreted this story along the same line. The woman was living with a man who was not her husband and she had had multiple relationships like this. Also the fact that she drew water alone made me think that the other women shunned her because of her lifestyle, not that this woman “preferred her own company” [feeding] her own depression. I think that’s nonsense. But that’s just my opinion.

[freepertoo]

I’m dictating this so I hope autocorrect behaves itself! I also know that you know that any response that I make is not intended to be in your face or anything like that. But this is not a portrayal of Jesus. It is a deception. Jesus was a man but he was different from other men. He did not need to send out flyers and have his apostles tack up posters asking for people to come to the sermon on the mount. He did not make the kind of mistake I saw in one snippet where he told his disciples to meet him one place then forgot where it was and wound up in another place without them. The Jesus we see in the chosen is not Jesus as he is portrayed in scripture. If we get nothing else right, let’s get that right. Having said all this, I was influenced as a very young woman by godspell. So I know the Lord can even use a talking donkey to bring people to himself. But this Jesus that I am seeing on the screen is a deception, is a bumbling fool who must ask for help, and I am offended. Very offended. Again please know this is not directed at anyone who is posted anything, and of course I respect the opinions of others. But I am offended on the Lord’s behalf.

[freepertoo]

I was appalled to see a scene where Jesus is rehearsing the sermon on the mount. I mean, really? The man who told his disciples when they bring you before magistrates and authorities do not worry about what you will say because the holy spirit will give you the words?

[freepertoo]

A scene where Matthew offers corrections to the sermon on the mount, Jesus goes away to think about it, then comes back and tells Matthew he is right and changes the sermon? Who would follow a so called Messiah like that?