The Chosen Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Matthew 4:24

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, The Chosen being covered here wouldn’t exist.

The Chosen Season 2 Episode 3, “Matthew 4:24,” finally gives us what the show has been missing — character development. Jesus’ followers are given multifaceted pasts revealing their struggles, doubts, and convictions.

As the episode opens, Matthew and Philip discuss scripture memorization while monitoring the people standing in line to meet Jesus. Matthew feels the need to learn more about the Torah since he was not raised in the Jewish faith. It is difficult to defend your life choices if you fail to comprehend what you are supporting fully.

While Philip understands his plight, he also wants Matthew to understand that additional knowledge won’t lead to God loving him more.

Just like a parent, God loves Matthew unconditionally. While it is a wonderful effort to learn more about the God who created him, Matthew won’t necessarily be treated differently because of it. Your father may like it when you ask him about his childhood, but that doesn’t make you the automatic favorite in the family.

Philip understands that Matthew is doubting his place among Jesus’ followers. He was a tax collector, working for the Romans, and generally giving the Jewish people a hard time. Philip does his best to squash Matthew’s feelings of inferiority.

When learning new tasks or knowledge, we often feel inadequate. This is often defined as imposter syndrome. It is a difficult barrier to overcome because our greatest enemy is our mind. 

Philip and Matthew’s discussion moves from the line to the camping area. This is where Jesus’ followers go for a rest and where the remaining moments of the episode take place.

Their discussion disperses as the two join in conversation with the others. They share random stories before settling in on the topic of the Messiah. 

The Jews have anticipated the Messiah for many, many years. Within that anticipation grew assumptions. Many of Jesus’ followers assumed that the Messiah was to come with a sword, strike down the Romans, and take the kingdom that was rightfully theirs. 

When we are stuck in horrible living conditions, we fantasize about breaking free from the circumstances, overthrowing those who have kept us imprisoned, and generally raining havoc on those who got in our way.

Not often does it cross our minds to help those who hurt us — or at least kill them with kindness. Jesus’ acts of healing seem the polar opposite of what anyone would want to do when in this state of affairs. But sometimes, the best way to act doesn’t make the most sense. 

Thomas: Why hasn’t He healed you?

Simon, Andrew, Mary, and the others all admit that this confuses them to some degree, yet their confusion doesn’t equal disbelief. 

In our modern world, we have the means to understand most things. Through science, the internet, and history, most of our knowledge can be deduced down to the simplest of factors. When we can’t use these aspects to come to a reasonable conclusion, we write it off as false or fake news. 

The truth is that there are some things we will never fully understand in our lifetime. This is where faith comes in. 

As the day winds down, Jesus’ followers sit around the fire, tired and crabby from all their work. Their discussion develops into one of guilt, convictions, and the failure to adhere to Jewish law.  

Many of them confess to eating things they shouldn’t have and acting improperly on the Shabbat. Matthew’s reluctance to participate in this part of the discussion raises a red flag to Simon, Andrew, and some of the others. 

Matthew hasn’t had the same hardships they’ve had. He didn’t scrounge for money, nor was he beaten by the hands of a Roman soldier. Shouldn’t he at least apologize for his actions against them?

Tempers boil, and anger flares as Matthew sits in silence, refusing to defend himself. People rise to their feet, pointing accusatory fingers in Matthew’s face and stopping just shy of violence.  

Although they act in shameful ways, Simon and the others show no regret until Jesus arrives back at the camp. They see His tired and weary body, but more importantly, they see the sacrifice He has made for those who don’t even know Him. 

At this point, they realize Jesus would have no place in this argument. 

All of them have faults and different reasons why they shouldn’t fall into the ranks of the Messiah’s disciples. They’ve lied, cheated, and disobeyed God in many ways, but Jesus is still using them to spread His kingdom. 

We feel unworthy, and sometimes we are unfit for the task given to us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t overcome and become part of something greater. 

We live, we learn, and ultimately we grow. That is what makes us human. We may never fully become what we were meant to be, but the journey forward is what matters most. 

Have faith you are on the right path, and take as many as you can along with you.

What did you think of this episode of The Chosen? Would it be difficult for you to accept Matthew? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Chosen airs Sunday at 8/7c on The CW.

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