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Why Is ‘The Chosen’ Season 5 Being Criticized?

Milton Quintanilla

A clip from the upcoming season of “The Chosen” has sparked criticism due to the “unbiblical dialogue” between Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. In the scene, which will appear in season 5, was one of two scenes that the show’s director, Dallas Jenkins, previewed to fans during a livestream last week.

“You have a choice to make, Judas,” Jesus says in the scene, “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 replies. “There’s nothing more that I want than that.”

Jesus then takes Judas’ hand, telling him, “Then I will pray for you.” 

Some on social media criticized the content of the clip, contending that Judas’ was predestined to betray Jesus, Church Leaders reports.

“Contrary to ‘The Chosen,’ the Bible does not say Jesus told Judas, ‘I will pray for you,’” Arizona Pastor Gabriel Hughes wrote on X. “He called Judas ‘son of perdition’ (John 17:12), destined to betray the Son of God according to Scripture. Jesus did not pray for Judas to make a different choice, or we wouldn’t be saved.”

A new clip from the TV show ‘The Chosen’ has Jesus telling Judas Iscariot this super unbiblical thing.”

“Very unbiblical. Hard to know where to start,” one of the replies read. 

“This show is terrible,” said another. “Putting words in Jesus’ mouth is very serious.”

John Root, a conservative commentator, remarked, “Been trying to warn y’all about this show for years now…”

“There’s the Bible, and then there’s the Chosen,” said Florida Pastor Adam Page. “The two rarely, if ever, meet.”

Others, however, defended the scene. 

“Okay, so I’m actually confused. How is this unbiblical? Jesus wanted all to follow him,” wrote one person. “Even if he knew he would be betrayed. Jesus even asked if this cup of judgment would be passed. I know this isn’t written in Scripture, but people are going a bit over the top about this.”

“So I’ll be honest, I watched this clip and really didn’t get what the issue was. Then I went to the comments and saw approximately 98% were Calvinist agreeing with the statement,” said another. “Now I get it. Say what you want, I personally know people that have come to God because of watching the Chosen, getting curious, and picking up their Bible. Maybe you should place a little more focus elsewhere?”

During an interview on “The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast” last year, Jenkins defended his show against allegations that it was adding to Scripture.

“I come from a conservative, Bible-believing background. I’m a strong evangelical who believes that the Bible is God’s Word,” he said. “So we start with that as our primary source of truth and inspiration, and we don’t change it.”

He added that he and his team of spiritual advisors attempted to fill in the narrative gaps with “plausible” details in scenarios that are not found in the Bible.

“Is this plausible? Does this fit within the character of Jesus and the gospels? And if so, we believe that we have the opportunity to fill in some gaps,” Jenkins said. 

He contended that “The Chosen” is not meant to replace Scripture, noting that the show has prompted viewers to engage with the Word of God on a deeper level. 

“The Chosen” Season 5 will premiere its first two episodes in theaters on March 27, 2025. 

Photo Credit: ©The Chosen, used with permission.

Milton QuintanillaMilton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.