[SPOILERS] Is the Jon Snow spin-off really such a good idea? Im not a person who cries during Jesus movies, but Ive cried several times during this series, because you can just feel the humanity of the scenes and everything is ten times more relatable. In the modern vernacular, a "red light district" is a term that refers to an area of the city known for prostitution, strip clubs, and other immoral establishments. But why does Mary Magdalene get all the attention and not Joanna or Susanna, who are also mentioned? This is Tom My 3 month old son is battling an extremely rare and [Free Friday] after an early miscarriage 3 weeks ago, I Our new campus chapel is so close to being ready! When he encounters her again in Season 1 Episode 2, he is surprised to discover that she has been completely healed and is free of the evil spirits. Jesus heals her evil spirit(s) at the end of Episode 1. The important role that Mary Magdalene plays in The Chosen is not nearly as surprising as that of Nicodemus. Moreover, her biblical significance has been amplified even more by the attention that she's received from the interpretative and artistic traditions of the West. Mary Magdalene was a female disciple who traveled with Jesus during his ministry (Luke 8:1-3). When making the Chosen, he is advised by a Catholic Priest, Rabbi, and Evangelical Pastor. In The Chosen, we see a brief flashback during Season 1, Episode 1 that strongly implies that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. Because The Chosen seeks to be kid-friendly, it may use the term "Red Quarter" in order to hint to older viewers that Mary is either a prostitute or a sexually immoral woman without explicitly mentioning prostitution or sex. The Chosen introduces a lot of characters and expects us to just keep up. In The Chosen, it is not entirely clear whether Mary Magdalene was engaging in prostitution before the events of Season 1, Episode 1. To recap: in, One other thing - the show could have allowed some of the disciples (like John) to go a bit further in being judgmental toward after her return. Dallas mentioned how some viewers didn't like that Mary fell back into old ways, which seems ridiculous, but just goes to show how out of touch some people are with both real life and how stories work. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. Everything is very true to the Gospels, and theres no dialogue written to score theological points. They prompt us to consider how these two events, Mary's first encounter with Jesus and her first encounter with the risen Jesus, are connected in a deeper way. He attempts to heal her and exorcise the evil spirit in her, but he is unsuccessful and concludes that she is beyond hope. East pencil writes or draws used for note taking West pencil is yellow has a eraser and lead. Many Christians still memorize this passage to remind them of how God is always with us, even in the most difficult trials. Normally I wouldn't care but this is a movie about Jesus, and if the people behind it are trying to do good, but it is a great disservice for me to bad-mouth it until the full plot is revealed. One day (hopefully) we viewers will get our first glimpse of the resurrected Jesus as we follow Mary to the empty tomb. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. There was just a hint of judgment in, Mary Magdalene was a female disciple who traveled with Jesus during his ministry (, All four Gospels suggest Mary was the first witness of the resurrected Jesus (, The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. I hope you enjoy them! In the Bible, there is no indication that Nicodemus met Mary Magdalene or that he tried to heal her or exorcise her evil spirits. As a result, adaptations of the Gospels from previous generations place a greater emphasis on how Jesus calls Mary to repent and brings about her moral transformation. [Spoilers] Did anyone else misinterpret the HotD Finale? The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. However, some scholars believe the word would be better translated as demoness and see it is a reference to a Mesopotamian spiritual being. This is symbolically tied to her encounter with another demon, Belial, who calls Mary Lilith, asserting the continued existence and power of her old identity. All four Gospels suggest Mary was the first witness of the resurrected Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, and John 20:1-18). Thank you! There are also characters and stories from the Gospels that the creators have left out. After Jesus heals her evil spirit, she resumes calling herself "Mary," her birth name, and refuses to answer to the name associated with her spiritual oppression. These experiences cause Mary to flee back to her old life, drinking and gambling. The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith. The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. I thought Mary's storyline in Season 2 of The Chosen had a lot of potential but it was unfortunately not given enough room to breathe. There are a few Bible passages that I thought were helpful to discuss the first episode of The Chosen. (Jesus), What about Jesus' identity does this hint at? Over the past year, we've been exploring how The Chosen adapts biblical characters like Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, Peter, Andrew, Matthew, Jesus, and the Romans. Matthew, Mark, and John also describe Mary as a witness of Jesus' crucifixion/burial (Matthew 27:55-61, Mark 15:40-47, and John 19:25). In my opinion it works. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The Hebrew word "lilit" only shows up in Isaiah 34:14, where most modern translations render it as something along the lines of "night bird." While watching the show, I made occasional comments through the chat but I tried to not do too much teaching - I wanted the youth to enjoy The Chosen and not just see it as an elaborate preaching illustration. Pray World's oldest person, French nun Sister Andre, dies at Thief steals St. Michael statue from church, trips, and A photo I took of our altar at Midnight Mass this Christmas, Mother on death bed, priest refused to see her. Since I criticized Season 1 of The Chosen for making Mary too perfect, it's only fair that I acknowledge how Season 2 seeks to rectify that issue. Thank you for your input. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. Did anyone notice what it was that made her recognize him? Luke briefly describes how Mary Magdalene was exorcised by Jesus and became one of his traveling followers (Luke 8:1-3). Under the influence of this tradition, many people see Mary as being emblematic of Jesus' compassion for lost and broken souls, and this makes her a perfect candidate for the kinds of stories that The Chosen wants to tell. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. I also suggest setting expectations for the first episode. Can you think of moments when you may need to be reminded that God is with you? Although there's nothing in the Gospels that suggests that these two figures should be linked together, Mary mistakenly became identified with the forgiven prostitute in the interpretative tradition of the Western Church. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The creators of The Chosen have published interactive Bible Studies that are meant to explore some of the Scripture and biblical themes that inspired Season 1 and help viewers apply them to everyday life. Catholic priest burned to death, another shot in north Press J to jump to the feed. Just like one day Mary Magdalene will be caught up in despair because she can't find Jesus' body, she's caught up in despair at her own situation. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (Luke 8:1-3) and a story about a prostitute (Luke 7:36-50). How does that truth encourage you? Initially Mary doesn't recognize Jesus. One other thing - the show could have allowed some of the disciples (like John) to go a bit further in being judgmental toward after her return. Still, at the end of the day, the 12 disciples who get the most screen time in the Gospels are all males. Although we'll have to wait in order to understand fully what the show wants us to conclude, this could be a subtle and effective way to show how Jesus' ability to heal and save is ultimately grounded in his willingness to die and rise again. In The Chosen, Mary Magdalene is played by Elizabeth Tabish. Jesus is said to have cast seven evil spirits out of her (, As I noted above, in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. I can appreciate what theyre trying to do with the show: Theyre taking their time to build your relationship with the characters and to delve into some of the backstory so that everyone becomes a three-dimensional person, not just a mumbling zombie foil for Jesus. Meanwhile, in the youth ministry that I lead, I had the chance to view and discuss season one of The Chosen with several high schoolers and found it very fruitful. As it was, we didn't really get a good sense of why Mary responded the way she did. Why do you think The Chosen is trying to connect episode 1 to what will happen when Jesus is resurrected? There is however a very clear disclaimer at the beginning of the series saying this isnt word-for-word and its no replacement for reading your Bible, etc. By noting how Mary is in the "Red Quarter", The Chosen is implying that she is a prostitute. But she was not possessed by one as the movie mentioned but by many. As a general rule, the characters who follow Jesus aren't bad people; they're misunderstood and rejected and in need of love. Interestingly, The King of Kings (1927) also uses Mary Magdalene to introduce us to Jesus for the first time. ***Update: Learn more about the origin of "Lilith" in my recent post ***. The Bible never mentions "the Red Quarter." What do you think Mary's life was like before Jesus showed up? Hopefully though, season 2 will find more ways to develop her character in a manner that's dynamic and engaging, because there's still much that could be done. This is not a theologian or an apologist. (ex. Why do you think they were removed? LOTR, Harry Potter), In [adaptation], can you think of some characters or stories that were added by the film? Do you believe Jesus knows you by name? PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM, Mary Magdalene, Lilith, & the Redeemer (Exploring The Chosen with Youth), Elizabeth Tabish as Lilith/Mary Magdalene in The Chosen, Over the past year, we've been exploring how The Chosen adapts biblical characters like, You may want to warn students beforehand that this episode contains some demonic activity. Instead of being a femme fatale that Jesus needs to resist and tame, Mary Magdalene the prostitute is seen as an object of compassion and pity that Jesus needs to provide acceptance and safety. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. (he calls her by name at the end when he heals her). Her name always was Mary, but through her past of turmoil, mental illness, rape, or whatever else caused her to be mentally tortured, she led everyone to believe she was Lilith. To recap: in Episode 5 of Season 2, Mary begins to experience PTSD tied to the trauma of her rape by a Roman solider (implied very quickly in Episode 1 Season 1). The ancient name Lilith derives from a Sumerian word for female demons or wind spirits. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? (the Lord), Who is it that says these words in the show? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I've condensed the lesson into an easily printable pdf below. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? In the Bible, there is no indication that Mary Magdalene fell back into sin, backslid, or left Jesus. I found that my youth struggled to sort out the different characters, so you might want to do a quick slide show of the key characters using the character images I've included throughout this post. Yes, there are plenty of women who show up in the Gospels. Nicodemus was brought in to perform an exorcism on her but failed, making him question the fullness of the Law. That being said, there's no biblical reason to think that she could not have done so. EDIT: To more specifically address your question about Mary Magdalene, my intuition is that they chose the name Lilith because few viewers are likely to know the name, and so therefore wont confuse her with another Bible character before her true identity is revealed. Many characters and stories are based on events in the Gospels, but there are also characters and events that the creators made up to tie things together. Unfortunately, because Mary's change happens so quickly, her character goes from being pretty dynamic in episodes 1-2 to being a pretty flat in the remainder of the season. (for LOTR: Arwen's bigger role, some action scenes. Explain: The Chosen is a multi-season streaming series that's adapting the four Gospels. It's a great comfort in the midst of the pandemic and other turmoil. It's odd? Click here for my affiliation policy. In a previous era of Hollywood Mary's status as a prostitute made her exotic and intriguing. See a Roman centurion fill Lilith/Mary s sight, a suggestion that the woman have. Over time, there's been a growing awareness of how most women end up in prostitution: not because they are innately promiscuous but rather as a result of coercion, sexual trauma, and systemic inequities. In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. In The Chosen, when we first Mary Magdalene in Season 1 Episode 1, she has already been possessed by evil spirits for some time. I have not seen any anti Catholic scenes. Enough said.). Over time, the Western artistic tradition repeatedly depicted Mary as a prostitute and the mistaken association got stuck in the cultural consciousness. Dallas Jenkins (Director) is not Catholic, but - in my mind - makes the best Christian films I have seen anywhere. Your contributions mean so much. The first passage is regarding Mary Magdalene (Lilith): In case you didn't catch it, at the end of The Chosen episode 1 we discover that the character called Lilith for most of the episode is actually named Mary Magdalene. I admire your comment. 1 ) Kathleen McGowan Kindle Edition are three Christian Goddesses, making up a female.! (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. There you go! Starting around episode three I think is when it finds its groove. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. And just like one day the risen Jesus will reveal himself to Mary and free her from grief and fear by calling her name, Jesus first reveals himself to "Lilith" and frees her from her grief and fear and demons by calling her by her true name, Mary. This association with prostitution opens a variety of directions for adaptations to take in their portrayal of her, especially given the affection Jesus shows for her (John 20). Thus, when Jesus first encounters Mary, what he offers her isn't forgiveness for her life of prostitution; it's relief from the oppressive demons that drove her to the type of life that she's lived. An adaptation like The Chosen isn't meant to replace the Bible; it's meant to drive us deeper into the Bible and spiritual reflection. For the most part, I just clarified who characters were (see my comment above) and occasionally I briefly explained a reference or allusion that was confusing to my youth. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? The last passage is an optional bonus for youth that like digging deeper. Jesus heals her evil spirit(s) at the end of Episode 1. The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen. Wind spirits films I have seen anywhere, when we first meet Magdalene... Get the most difficult trials got stuck in the Gospels, and theres no dialogue to. 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