Physician, Heal Yourself

I've been an avid Bible student since I was 21 years old. Prior to that I lived my life without caring what my Creator thought about my choices. My Bible study has only increased in the over the 40 years since I first started reading the Gospel accounts.

I know the Bible very well and am thoroughly enjoying The Chosen series. Naturally, since I am so familiar with the Bible account, I have some opinions about this series. I believe it is important to point out that less than 10% of each episode of The Chosen is actually from the Bible accounts. Ninety percent of these episodes are embellishments; the producer's ideas of how the Bible characters may have spoken, looked and acted, beyond what is written in the Bible. I have no problem with those embellishments. As a matter of fact, I appreciate and enjoy much of the non-biblical inventions by the writers of this series.

I would like to speak about the good and the not so good embellishments created by the writers of this series. I hope you will not be offended by my critique.

Season 3, Episode 3 - Jesus goes back to Nazareth. Imagine that Adam did not sin against Yehovah and all his offspring were perfect. The level of focus and usable brain capacity you would have would be unimaginable. Jesus was a perfect man, he didn't make common mistakes like others. This episode contains a lot of embellishment. The Biblical account is not very detailed. I enjoyed Jesus' interaction with Mary at the beginning of the episode, but then the donkey bridle thing was a bit of a stretch. The actual portion of this episode which is from Scripture was very well done though. I thought it was interesting to show Jesus' adopted father as African; nicely done since a few of the bloodline of Joseph were not strictly "sons of Abraham" there is a possibility that the Hebrew Joseph could have been black.

Biblical content in this episode; 5%. Luke 4:16-30.

Provocative sounds fair to be write about each episode of series. But this episode has the gift to reflect, in fair and precise manner , the word about prophet in his homeland. You feel this from the encounter with rabbi Benjamin and the game and the talk between Mother and Her Son .

But the precious scenes are the work of young Jesus near Joseph. And the tears of the savior front to the grave of the last.

Like previous episode, this represents a dialogue with the viewer. About past as seed of the future. About coming time . About testimony who must sait in Nazareth and about the last moments at home.

Yes, you know the story. And the series has no desire to say more. Only to help feel , or, more precise, understand moments who, grace to the beautiful work of entire team, are reveled as experiences of yourself.

Okay, I don't usually rate anything a 10/10 on IMDb... like ever, but this right here, this episode, is one of the very few things that I would consider absolutely perfect. This episode, for me, is right up there "Cut Man" (Daredevil s1e2) and "Felina" (Breaking Bad s5e16), and I mean that! From the constant anxiety poured out to us from the unique shaky cam style cinematography, reflected by the actual anxiety poured out to us from the shockingly good acting given from every single person on screen, and shockingly good writing given to us from Dallas Jenkins; To the appropriately dramatic and deep music throughout the whole episode, this is a perfectly crafted, hour long, rollercoaster of emotions that, so far is the best that this show can offer. Please, if you haven't seen this show already, just watch this episode at least, and I promise you, you wouldn't be able to help but watch more.

Episode 3 of the third season of The Chosen, titled "Physician, Heal Yourself," is one of the most emotionally intense and thematically profound episodes of the series so far. The episode centers around Jesus' return to Nazareth, His hometown, where He confronts skepticism, doubt, and outright hostility from the people who watched Him grow up. The title, taken from a saying that Jesus quotes in response to the disbelief of His hometown, encapsulates the episode's exploration of faith, rejection, and identity. The tension builds throughout, reaching a climax as Jesus delivers a powerful and prophetic message in the synagogue, sparking outrage and ultimately leading to His rejection by those closest to Him.

The direction in "Physician, Heal Yourself" is masterful, with Dallas Jenkins crafting a slow burn that emphasizes the growing tension between Jesus and the people of Nazareth. From the very beginning, the tone is set through deliberate pacing, allowing the audience to feel the weight of the expectations and the skepticism that surround Jesus. The episode makes excellent use of close-ups to capture the subtle shifts in the characters' expressions as they react to Jesus' words. The cinematography, particularly in the synagogue scenes, is intimate and confined, mirroring the pressure that Jesus feels as He faces those who question His identity and mission. This atmosphere of tension is further enhanced by the tight editing, which builds towards the explosive final confrontation.

The performances in this episode are outstanding, with Jonathan Roumie delivering one of his most powerful portrayals of Jesus to date. His depiction of Jesus' quiet confidence, mixed with the sorrow of being rejected by His own people, is deeply moving. Roumie masterfully conveys the internal conflict of a man fully aware of His divine mission but deeply pained by the disbelief of those who should know Him best. The supporting cast, particularly the townspeople of Nazareth, play their roles with authenticity, capturing the mixture of doubt, fear, and anger that culminates in their rejection of Jesus. The ensemble cast adds layers of complexity to the episode, particularly in the way they reflect the broader challenges of accepting radical change, even when it comes from someone they thought they knew.

One of the standout scenes in the episode occurs during Jesus' reading in the synagogue, where He declares Himself the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. The scene is charged with a sense of inevitability, as the townspeople's initial curiosity quickly turns to anger. The dialogue is sharp and poignant, as Jesus challenges their lack of faith and exposes their unwillingness to accept Him as the Messiah. The use of lighting in this scene is particularly effective, casting Jesus in a soft glow while the rest of the synagogue remains in shadow, symbolizing the spiritual blindness of the crowd. The tension is palpable, and the scene reaches its peak when the townspeople attempt to throw Jesus off a cliff, only for Him to walk calmly through them, untouched.

The themes of rejection and identity are central to this episode, as Jesus' experience in Nazareth serves as a reflection of the broader rejection He will face from the world. The episode explores how difficult it is for people to accept the truth when it challenges their preconceived notions and expectations. The townspeople's inability to see beyond Jesus' humble origins highlights the limitations of human perception and the struggle to embrace faith when it requires letting go of familiar patterns. This theme is underscored by the personal relationships Jesus has with the people of Nazareth, making their rejection all the more painful and profound. The episode does an excellent job of balancing the personal and the universal, making Jesus' experience relatable on both a human and a spiritual level.

In conclusion, "Physician, Heal Yourself" is a standout episode that brings together powerful performances, masterful direction, and rich thematic depth. The slow build of tension, combined with the emotionally charged climax, creates a gripping narrative that explores the challenges of faith and the pain of rejection. Jonathan Roumie's portrayal of Jesus is particularly impactful, capturing both the strength and vulnerability of His character. The cinematography and editing work together to enhance the emotional weight of the story, making this episode one of the most memorable in the series. While the pacing may feel slow for some viewers, the payoff in the final act is well worth the buildup, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Every time he makes a statement from a synagogue, it IS amazing-stunning! The Gospels are coming alive like I've never seen or heard before in my life! It makes a huge difference to have someone who has a relationship with God portraying Jesus! And the portrayal of the disciples is just outstanding! I want to encourage those who are a part of this project. I didn't know I could grow closer to Him through something like this. It's refreshingly original and on a level I never expected. Thank you to each member who has been a part of this production! Thank you, thank you, thank you! KEEP GOING!!!