The BEMA Podcast: Episode 476

The Chosen S5E5 — “Because of Me” (Bonus Episode)

Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Marty Solomon & Brent Billings

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Marty and Brent continue their analysis of The Chosen Season 5, focusing on Episode 5, “Because of Me.” The discussion weaves between the show’s cinematic and narrative choices, fresh biblical insights, and deep reflection on the text and its modern applications. Together, they dissect key scenes, explore the historical and textual context of the Gospels, and grapple with how these stories are adapted for modern audiences—never shying away from emotional or theological complexity.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cinematic Choices in “The Chosen”

• Shaky Cam & Scene Technique ([00:23]-[01:41])
  • Brent revisits Marty’s previous observation about “shaky cam” filmmaking (intentionally unsteady camera work) noting its use in all disciple and street scenes, except for tripod shots in solemn or power-laden settings (e.g., the Last Supper, the Sanhedrin).

    “It makes the camera a little more of a character and less of a... you’re just passively observing from a distance.” —Brent [01:37]

  • Marty and Brent appreciate a beautiful dolly shot as Jesus gives the new commandment.

2. Judas, Satan, and Scriptural Details

• Judas and Satan Reference ([02:02]-[03:14])
  • Brent shares his discovery that the Gospel of John only uses “Satan” once (in reference to Judas), despite often assuming a broader context.

    “It's right there in the text...I just cannot believe. Every single time. I'm like, where is this coming from? ...And then it’s right there in the text.” —Brent [02:54]

  • Marty reflects on how constant discussion of the Bible can blur memory between personal interpretations and what’s actually present in the text.

3. Disciples Grappling with Betrayal

• Disciples’ Anxiety and Theories ([04:13]-[05:44])

  • The disciples are fraught with tension over who will betray Jesus.
  • Jesus offers reassurance to Thomas:

    “You have been faithful in spite of your anger.” —Jesus (as portrayed in The Chosen), discussed at [04:42]

  • Scenes feel natural and chaotic—emotions run high, and overlapping conversations suggest that information passes only in fragments.

• Discussion on Greatness & Judging Tribes ([05:44]-[06:15])

  • Brent and Marty note that Peter asks, “What about the betrayer? Is he going to judge them, too?” Jesus responds ambiguously, “You’ll sort that out.”

4. Temple Elites, Political Tension, and Power Plays

• Sanhedrin Power Dynamics ([06:27]-[10:16])

  • Market scenes feature acerbic character Barnaby taunting elites, and discussion on the plausibility of his behavior in historical context.
  • Ananus and Caiaphas engage in a fraught, tension-filled meeting about what to do about Jesus. Ananus quotes Proverbs 11 to justify council. Caiaphas reveals the decision to arrest Jesus is already made.

    “At the end of the day, Jesus doesn’t actually have anything to offer here. He’s just saying all these big things...Reality is going to set back in eventually.” —Ananus, paraphrased at [07:35]-[08:20]

• Casting Note

  • The actor’s age difference between Caiaphas (81) and his wife Shoshana (≈30) sparks discussion about historical plausibility of such marriages.

5. The Fig Tree and Foreboding Predictions

• Withered Fig Tree & Warnings ([10:45]-[12:37])
  • The Mark 11/Mattew 24 scene blends warnings of coming tribulation with the fig tree miracle.
  • Jesus’ exasperation with the disciples is notable:

    “Something else must happen, which I have told you before. And yet you seem unwilling, unable or... not sober enough to absorb.” —Jesus [11:41]

  • Marty draws a parallel with the Parable of the Sower—different ways disciples fail to “absorb” what Jesus teaches.

6. Claudia and Pilate's Domestic Drama

• Claudia’s Troubled Dreams ([12:37]-[14:10])

  • Claudia (Pilate’s wife) is deeply troubled by a dream/vision, foreshadowing her later pleading for Jesus in the Gospels.
  • Pilate’s indifference and Atticus’ power dynamics are explored, as is Atticus’ increasingly assertive presence.

• Atticus and Pilate Confrontation ([16:17]-[17:03])

  • Atticus forcefully asserts practical Roman authority over Pilate, leading to a tense confrontation about duty and power.

  • “That he is derelict in his duty was the line... A great showing of practical power on an imperial level.” —Marty [16:39]

7. The Sanhedrin’s “Showy” Prayer and Internal Doubts

• Sanhedrin Debate and Peril ([18:19]-[21:45])
  • Caiaphas orchestrates public prayers, Yussuf voices moderation, and Shmuel ramps up accusations against Jesus.
  • Observations about how showy religiosity and genuine faith can become entangled:

    “How easily it is to fill our church services...with the right words. ...Self-justified, eyes closed, pleading to the God of heaven to protect our agenda.” —Marty [20:14]

  • Shmuel grows troubled by the company he keeps and the direction of events.

8. The Disciples Struggle to Trust

• Despair, Hope, and Community Tensions ([21:58]-[25:56])
  • The disciples try to process the possibility of Jesus’ actual death, with theories ranging from denial to hope for last-minute deliverance.
  • Notable exchange:

    “What if we actually take him serious? Like, what would it mean if he actually means what he says?” —Matthew, paraphrased [22:58]

  • “I will not accept having wasted three years of my life.” —Z (Zealot) [25:56]

  • The group is fractious but shows glimmers of unity and personal growth.

9. Atticus Intervenes; Judas’ Betrayal Plot Builds

• Atticus Pursues His Own Agenda ([26:01]-[27:09])

  • As Z follows Atticus and soldiers through the city, viewers sense preparations for Jesus’ arrest.

• Betrayal Will Need “Something” ([27:37]-[28:04])

  • Shmuel hints to Caiaphas that the betrayal maneuver “might need something” (i.e., a reward/bribe), referencing the imminent involvement of Judas.

10. Surprise Return: Nicodemus!

• Mary’s “Kidnapping” and Reveal ([28:16]-[29:06])
  • The narrative misleads viewers to think Mary might be the betrayer, only to reveal that Judas is meeting with the authorities and Mary is led to a mysterious house to meet... Nicodemus!
  • Emotional reaction:

    “I did not see it coming. And he turned around, I saw his face and just instantly started crying. I was like, oh my gosh. Yeah, Nicodemus, Niko’s back.” —Marty [29:54]

Notable Quotes

• “You have been faithful in spite of your anger.” —Jesus (to Thomas), discussed [04:42]
• “How easily it is to tangle [Torah and tradition] up and not be able to pull those things apart.” —Marty [20:14]
• “[Caiaphas is] filling up with the right words, self-justified, eyes closed, pleading to the God of heaven... and boy, how you can end up on the wrong side of a story.” —Marty [20:14]
• “I think I see hope in this scene that I haven’t seen in the last few episodes.” —Brent [25:19]
• “I will not accept having wasted three years of my life.” —Z (Zealot) [25:56]
• “Dirty rotten Chosen!” —Marty, on the Nicodemus reveal [29:08]

Key Timestamps

• 00:23 – Cinematic choices: shaky cam, character of camera
• 02:02 – Judas, Satan, and contextual discovery in John
• 04:13 – Disciples wracked with anxiety over the betrayer
• 06:27 – Sanhedrin intrigue, Barnaby’s needling, Ananus vs. Caiaphas
• 10:45 – The Fig Tree, Jesus’ warnings, exasperation
• 12:37 – Claudia’s vision, Pilate, and building political tension
• 16:17 – Atticus asserts “practical” Roman authority
• 18:19 – Sanhedrin debates Jesus’ threat, empty prayer, Shmuel’s doubts
• 21:58 – Disciples’ emotional chaos and hope glimmers
• 25:56 – Z storms out; Atticus mobilizes; betrayal in motion
• 28:16 – Mary’s “kidnapping,” Judas’ bargain, shock reveal: Nicodemus

Tone & Themes

• Candid, at times humorous, and deeply reflective on both text and adaptation.
• Honest grappling with the limits of memory vs. scripture.
• Emotional resonance, especially on themes of betrayal, misunderstanding, religious blindness, and slow-burn hope.
• The Chosen praised for nuanced storytelling and character development, especially through “dirty rotten” cliffhangers!

For Further Reflection

• Hybrid of historical, exegetical, and pop-cultural analysis—encourages listeners to continually self-reflect on their own reading and practicing of faith.
• The episode underscores both the value and peril of tradition, the ever-present danger of conflating personal interpretation with “what’s really there.”
• Draws out how adaptation like The Chosen can spark or reignite personal connection to ancient stories.

End of Summary.
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