Discussion and Learning:

Mary is from Magdala, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Magdala was a wealthy commercial village at which the fishermen on the Sea sold their fish. From there they were then shipped overland to the Mediterranean Sea and around the Roman empire.

What would this indicate about Mary’s financial status, and how is this reinforced in Luke 8:1-3?

Some have identified Mary as the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-39. This idea gained traction in the early church and is reflected in The Chosen. However, there is no evidence that she is this woman. There is proof, however, that she is the first person to whom Jesus appears after His resurrection, as you’ve already read.

Much of The Chosen is intended to fill in potential ‘backstories’ for the biblical characters. It’s painting a picture rather than just giving us the bare bones. As someone said, it’s painting rather than pointing. Of the characters we’ve met today, here’s what we know for sure (the rest is conjecture):

  • Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council in Jerusalem) (John 3:1)
  • Mary was from Magdala and had seven demons cast out of her. (Luke 8:1-3)
  • Matthew was a tax collector - employed by the Romans but considered a horrible traitor by his fellow Jews. Horrible because he was viewed as a collaborator with the enemy, and because he made his money by charging more than the Romans asked him to collect. (Matthew 10:3)
  • Simon (Peter) was married (Mark 1:30) and had a brother named Andrew (Matthew 4:18)
  • Fishing on Shabbat (aka The Sabbath, beginning at sundown on Friday and lasting through sundown on Saturday) was strictly forbidden in Jewish law.

What were your images of the characters you saw today, prior to watching The Chosen?

Did The Chosen provide any happy surprises or shifts to these images? Any surprises with which you weren’t comfortable? Give reasons for your answers.

What did you like about the backstories presented here? Is there anything you’d change, given what you’ve seen so far?

How did Jesus appear to you? Like you thought? Different?

What will you take home with you and ponder further?