Illustrated Summary of The Chosen: Season 4, Episode 3: Moon to Blood

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The time is 980 B.C. and King David is prostrate and weeping in sackcloth and ashes, asking God to forgive him and pleading for the life of the child recently born to him and his new wife, Bathsheba. His ministers are concerned that this has been going on for 6 days without his eating anything, but they realize David is repentant for the manner in which the child was conceived (2 Samuel 11-12). They fear for their king’s life and offer him food, but David refuses it when he hears from them that the child is still unwell.

Soon they hear piercing wails from Bathsheba. David, knowing that means their child is dead, rises and tells his ministers he is ready for them to help him wash and change clothes.

Later we see David and Bathsheba at dressing areas in their royal bedroom. Bathsheba asks David, “Why are we getting ready for a dinner I cannot eat? How can you eat at a time like this?” He responds, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept." Bathsheba interjects, "As you should be now." "Would that bring him back again?" David asks softly. "I asked of our God that He might be gracious to us and let our child live. My prayer was not answered." Bathsheba asks, "Why not? Why some prayers and not others?" David looks at her, sighs, and answers, "I don't know. I've never known." "And still you worship," Bathsheba comments. "I do," says David. "Through sorrow and joy and sorrow again. This is the meaning of faith." "But it cannot bring our son back," observes Bathsheba with weeping. "No, it can't," says David gently. "But sooner or later, we will go to that same end. He will not return to us, but we will go to him." Bathsheba, becoming calmer, responds, "The separation is just for now. For a time." "A time," repeats David, holding out his hand to her. "It could be a long time; it could be tomorrow. This is the way of all things." Bathsheba clasps his open hand.

In present-day Capernaum, Praetor Quintus is at his desk with a scowl on his face, nervously tabulating numbers on his abacus. His nerves give way to rage. He stands, sweeps away the abacus and scrolls on his desk, and storms out past the gatekeeper of the Roman headquarters. The gatekeeper arises, alarmed at the praetor's lack of decorum in venturing out unarmed and lacking emotional restraint. Julius, the Roman guard outside, also arises, seeing that something is seriously wrong with his boss, who immediately starts criticizing the people and things around him. Julius hands Quintus his helmet, but he smacks it away. Julius then says, "At least take your sword!" Quintus reluctantly grabs it and then intimidates the street vendors around him. Julius informs Gaius, who looks disgusted when seeing how Quintus is conducting himself with the people Rome is counting on him to keep peace with. Gaius suggests that Quintus gives his soldiers concrete orders to carry out, but Quintus grabs Gaius by the shoulder and pins him to a wall, saying, "Rome assigned me to this hellhole because they thought I couldn't hack it in the bigger cities, but they changed their tune when my tribute record posted among the highest in the region. Now, my ledgers are in the red! I told you to make life difficult for the followers of Jesus." Gaius responds calmly, "We have enforced curfews and implemented--" but Quintus cuts him off, stating, "Taxes! Taxes were the only leg I had to stand on in the empire, and those vulgar pilgrims have cut it off!"

Gaius asks, "What can be done, Dominus?" Quintus turns in exasperation, saying, "I'm done giving you ideas, Gaius. No more conversations of me mentoring you!" He smacks Gaius's chest with his sheathed sword, saying, "Results only! The tent city will shrink by 10 cubits a day starting now. Say it back to me, Primi. I gave you that title and I can strip it away." Then he threatens to reduce Gaius's rank back to centurion or lower and walks away after a few more insults.

John and James enter their parents' house in a flustered state. Zebedee and Salome are seated at their table and inquire if everything is okay. James replies, "It's madness out there--the pilgrims." Salome invites them to sit and Zebedee tells them how well their olive-oil business has been going, but his sons seem distracted and uninterested. Zebedee says, "You aren't listening," but James and John claim they are. After more bantering Zebedee tells his sons, "I may be getting old but my eyes are still good. You're hiding something." They both immediately protest, "No, we're not!" but Zebedee gives them this valuable advice: "The next time someone says you're hiding something, don't be defensive and howl that you aren't. Dead giveaway." Salome inquires in a stern motherly tone, "What happened on the trip to Caesarea Philippi?"

James and John look at one another with a sigh of resignation and John quickly says, "Jesus gave Simon a new name" (Matthew 16:13-20). Then he unsuccessfully attempts to redirect the conversation. In the silence that follows, James adds, "Peter, the rock. Are you happy now?" Zebedee answers he's not anything but confused maybe since he's thinking of rock meaning hard and stable, adding, "I'm not saying I would ever disagree with Jesus, but that doesn't really sound like Simon." James explains that Jesus said something about like a stone for the foundation of a house. Salome says expectantly, "So what are your new names?"

Her sons are silent so she says in a very different tone, "This is ridiculous! You've done more for Jesus than Simon, fivefold. James questions that so she lists some things they have done, but John and James both humbly point out others doing similar things. She persists, "You boys deserve real blessing and standing!" Zebedee gently protests, but she says, "Zeb, this is important. When people see Jesus, our boys should always be right by His side." Zebedee says, "If that's what Jesus wants, then that's what will happen." Salome counters, "That's not what Jesus said on the Korazim plateau: 'Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.'" James begins reciting with her, adding, "For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8). John wonders, "We can really just ask Him anything?" Zebedee says, "I think he means when you are seeking first the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33).

Salome insists, "This is about the Kingdom of God. Kingdoms need officers, authorities, people of influence. Sounds like Jesus has begun handing out titles and roles, starting with Simon. Don't you want influence? Don't you want the blessing that comes from being closest to God? I don't want you to be last or far from God. If you don't ask for this authority now, others will get in front of you." James finds her words persuasive, saying, "Eema is right: if we can ask for anything, so long as we seek first the Kingdom, so can everyone else." John, however, is uneasy, stating, "I don't know: the group has been doing so well. Peter forgave Matthew for everything that happened between them--hugs and everything!" Zebedee quips, "That really does deserve a name change!" Salome doesn't want the subject changed, but John doesn't want to cause a stir, tempting Salome to say, "If you're going to sit idly by and do nothing, maybe I'll ask Jesus myself!" (Matthew 20:20-22). Her husband and sons immediately object.

Later, John helps Thomas prepare to ask Ramah for a walk and picnic where he can surprise her with the mohar or gift he selected for their upcoming marriage. At the picnic, with Andrew acting as chaperone, Thomas tells her that the arrangements are nearly complete, but one thing remains: the object of value. Ramah said she thought they agreed to forego that because of lack of finances, but Thomas explains he still wanted to get her something, saying, "I actually knew what I wanted it to be when we were working together, before the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12). I traded my way from a cinnamon loaf, to a fish, to a lantern, to a bookshelf--barter after barter--all the way up to ..." handing her a cloth-wrapped gift. 

Ramah opens a beautiful wood box to discover a sundial inside. Obviously moved, she exclaims, "Thomas, it's perfect." Thomas explains further, "It's for our future home. Whenever we would work together, I would lose track of time, which is not like me." "No, it's not," agrees Ramah. Thomas continues, "When we would have a conversation on the road or after an event, it was like time stopped. I couldn't tell afterwards if it had been 10 minutes or an hour." Ramah confesses, "I think I felt the same, but held back my feelings because I had so little control over who Abba would choose." Thomas tells her, "You don't have to be afraid anymore because we'll be together until the end of time," touching the sundial the same time she does and adding, "We'll have this to keep track of the hours in between." 

Ramah laughs and then admits, "I don't know what to say." Thomas says she doesn't have to say anything, but then Ramah sees a very pregnant woman strolling by with her husband and is reminded of something she wants to tell him, saying, "When all of this started to become real, after we spoke with Jesus on the way to Caesarea, I visited with Eden to see if she had any advice." Thomas points out that he and Peter are very different people. Ramah agrees, but states,  "Marriage is marriage and you do follow the same Rabbi. He has called you to a very special kind of life." She faces him directly and they have a private conversation.

In the Capernaum synagogue, Jairus passes by and overhears Rabbi Akiva telling the other rabbis about the recent edict from Jerusalem that describes Jesus by name as a heretic and blasphemer who is to be challenged and questioned. Akiva states, "I myself witnessed Him in the town square performing sorcery and necromancy and publicly self-identifying as the Anointed One. He was rude and dismissive, and every bit as dangerous as this edict warns. Everyone of you is to be on high alert. Jerusalem thinks little of Capernaum, but we know more than any other place in Israel about this person of interest." Jairus walks away unnoticed.

Jesus is seated and being served a large meal in Capernaum, which He appreciates even though He is not hungry. Mary Magdalene explains, "Every time You preach, You're exhausted and immediately asking for food afterwards, so we just thought we'd get ahead of it." Eden asks, "Rabbi, why are you preaching today?" Jesus answers, "Because the circumstances demand it: there's growing tension in Capernaum between the pilgrims, our Pharisees, and the Romans. I must ensure they are listening to the right voice. They are being led poorly."

James and John speak quietly with each other in the room with Jesus. James wonders, "Are we really supposed to just come out and ask to sit at His right and left hand in the Kingdom? Where did Eema even come up with that?" John says, "I think she was referring to how Bathsheba sat on the right hand of King Solomon on his throne" (1 Kings 2). They feel uncomfortable with asking for that and wonder if they should just ask for seats in general, but then worry they might get backseats. John states, "We're overthinking this. Tonight Jesus will be feeling good about His sermon and we can ask Him then. If He has any questions, we can clarify. It will be a conversation--just not in front of anybody." James especially agrees with that last part.

Peter, in the same room, observes Matthew staring uncomfortably out of a window. In a roundabout way he gently probes to find out what is troubling Matthew, who asks, "Peter, do you think this sermon is a good idea? When I invited Gaius, he seemed very alarmed we were planning a public gathering of any kind." Peter says, "Yeah, with all the heat coming in from both Rome and the Pharisees, I think it's a terrible idea. But what can He do, huh? He is who He is. He can't run away from every conflict. Besides," Peter adds, slapping Matthew in a friendly way on the arm, "I didn't think a lot of things Jesus did were good ideas, but those things turned out," putting his arm around Matthew in a brotherly way.

Jesus and His disciples, walking toward the Capernaum synagogue, encounter Shula and Barnaby, who warn Him that an edict has come out from Jerusalem stating that if anyone catches Jesus in blasphemy, He is to be taken to the Sanhedrin. What is more, explains Shula, "Rabbi Akiva said that anyone who confesses Jesus as the Christ is to be put out of the synagogue" (John 9). Jesus states, "I will be direct with the Pharisees today. They've gone too far." Looking ahead on the synagogue steps, Jesus sees a blind man sitting there and inquires about him. Shula tells Jesus the man's name, Uzziah, whom she became friends with after she became blind, but Uzziah was born blind.

Jesus asks Big James to draw some water from the well and looks intently at Uzziah. Barnaby says excitedly, "I know that look!" Shula reminds Jesus it is Shabbat, but He says, "That will make this more fun!" Shula walks over and says, "Uzziah, this is Jesus, the Teacher." Barnaby yells, "The one who healed Shula and me!" Jesus reminds Barnaby that Uzziah is blind, not deaf. He kneels down and wishes Uzziah Shabbat Shalom, a greeting of peace Uzziah returns. A Pharisee observes and comes over. So does another man nearby who interrupts, "Rabbi, please answer this for us: Who sinned, Uzziah or his parents, that he was born blind? We have wondered for years." Jesus answers, "It's not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the work of God might be displayed in him. Listen," He says, standing up and addressing the growing crowd around them: "We must work while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. And as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 

Matthew wonders out loud, "We cannot work at night?" Jesus explains, "We have limited time on earth, Matthew. I have limited time. Let's not argue the sins of the past. We've got light to give." Jesus scoops up enough dirt to fill His hands, spits into it, and forms it into a paste. Big James comes through the crowd with the requested pail of water, which Jesus asks him to set down. Jesus tells Uzziah, "This may feel strange, but it will be worth it" before gently placing the paste over Uzziah's shut eyelids. He looks up in prayer and then directs Uzziah toward the water so Uzziah can scoop it out to wash his eyelids. As Uzziah does so he gasps as he sees his own hands for the first time and looks up into Jesus's face with clear eyes. Jesus asks quietly, "How does it look?" At a loss for words, Uzziah falls into Jesus's arms.

A pilgrim passing by stops and says, "The man who used to sit and beg had blurry white eyes!" Barnaby tells him, "That's because he was blind!" The Pharisee observing all this walks up and takes hold of Uzziah, saying in a disapproving tone, "You! Come with me!" "Now? Where?" inquires Uzziah. "To the synagogue," answers the Pharisee. "I can't think of a better place," says Uzziah, calling out to the crowd, "Tell my parents what happened and that I'm at the synagogue!"

The crowd wants Jesus to do another miracle. Jesus explains, "That's not how this works, but I have much to share with you so listen carefully. Everybody come closer." The crowd begins to swell.

Meanwhile, the Pharisee, Rabbi Josiah, brings Uzziah before Rabbi Akiva with Jairus looking on, explaining, "Jesus just healed this man of blindness in the marketplace." Rather than showing any concern for the man's welfare, Akiva states, "What do you mean? It's Shabbat!" He then inquires warily, "You were blind?" Uzziah answers, "Was. Yes." Akiva demands to know, "How did you receive your sight?" Uzziah answers, "He put mud on my eyes, and I wash, and I see." Akiva declares, "Sorcery and dark arts," a judgment Rabbi Josiah echoes. Jairus protests, "We have not seen Jesus do sorcery." Akiva shuts him down, stating, "This man has broken Sabbath, broken bread with Gentiles, and made false claims and heresies. He is not from God!" Jairus counters, "If He is such a sinner, how can He do these signs?" Akiva, not having a good answer, turns to Uzziah, saying, "Who do you say He is?" Uzziah answers, "He's obviously a prophet. Look what He did to me."

Uzziah's parents enter the scene. His mother gazes at him in wonder, saying, "Your eyes! Can you see me?" Uzziah says yes and she laughs and embraces him. Rabbi Akiva address the father: "This is your son and he was born blind?" After receiving affirmation he demands to know, "How can he see?" The father tells him, "They told us the Teacher from the--" then catches himself when remembering the synagogue warnings against following Jesus. He then tells the rabbi, "We know he's our son and he was born blind. But how he sees and who opened his eyes? We do not know. Have you asked him? He is of age."

Akiva turns to Uzziah, insisting, "You need to tell me how He did this!" Uzziah bravely answers, "I already told you and you wouldn't listen. All I know is this man must be from God. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. He must be the Christ or He couldn't have done this." "No," states Akiva. "If all of this is true, give glory only to Adonai for this. This teacher from Nazareth is a sinner." Uzziah steps forward and says, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is though I was blind, now I see." Jairus gives a fist pump of silent and enthusiastic agreement in the background. Akiva, with rudeness and dismissiveness he ironically attributed to Jesus, tells Uzziah, "You were born in utter sin and you preach at us in our own synagogue? You know the edict. Anyone who blasphemes by calling this sinner Christ, he is banned." Uzziah's mother tries to make an appeal against that harsh punishment, but it falls on deaf ears.

A large crowd has now gathered around Jesus. A woman calls out to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you!" Jesus says, "Blessed rather is the one who hears the Word of God and obeys it (Luke 11:27-28), for whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:50)." Someone calls out for Jesus to do more miracles. Jesus responds, "I know you want more signs and wonders so you can believe for sure, and I have done them, but it is an evil generation that seeks a sign. When all you seek are signs and wonders, no sign will be given to you, except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold: something greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:39-42).

Behind Jesus now stand Rabbis Akiva and Josiah. Akiva calls out, "You would proclaim Yourself greater than Solomon?" Josiah adds, "What right would the Queen of Sheba have to judge us?" Jesus addresses them by name, asking if they want to better understand His teaching. He then offers to make it more plain, saying, "The men of Nineveh will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold: something greater than Jonah is here." Josiah protests, "But the men of Nineveh were evil!" The apostle Philip calls out, "Yes, but they were qualified to judge this generation because at least they repented when Jonah preached."

Akiva calls out angrily, "Is anyone writing this down? It must be recorded word for word so it can be held up and exposed for contemptible insolence even His followers espouse." A pilgrim in the crowd says, "You've interrupted Him enough. We want to hear more." The crowd gives a large yes in affirmation.  Akiva sneers, "So it's infectious. Like a disease, this heretic's arrogance and insubordination spreads quickly among Capernaum's uneducated class." The Roman Atticus, listening among the crowd, pushes through it to Gaius, also listening, and demands, "Go, tell Quintus what's happening and pass along a message directly from me," which he whispers to Gaius. Gaius does not want to leave the situation so he summons another soldier, Julius, to inform Quintus and deliver the message. 

Responding to Rabbi Akiva's condemnation, the same pilgrim asserts, "He is no heretic. We just saw Him do a miracle." Akiva says, "Ah yes, Nazarene, I just spoke with a man who claims You healed his blindness. Today. On Shabbat! I was told you put mud on his eyes. Where did You get mud, knowing You're not supposed to make healing concoctions on Shabbat?" Jesus explains it was easy since He just spit on the dirt, a fact that horrifies Akiva. "Cleanliness?" inquires Jesus. "Is that what you're focused on? You Pharisees, you cleanse the outside of a cup and the dish, and then you eat and drink food that goes into a body that inside is full of greed and wickedness. You fools, did not He who made the outside make the inside also? Your obsession with what is clean and unclean goes farther than God intended and does no good for anybody but yourself" (Matthew 23).

Akiva protests, "We tithe everything so the poor can benefit, down to the smallest plants grown in our gardens!" Jesus responds, "To that I say woe to you, Pharisees! You tithe mint, and dill, and cumin, measuring carefully the last speck, while neglecting what is actually important in the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. You blind guides, straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel. Look at these people," Jesus gestures toward the swelling crowd, "what have you done to help them?" Akiva answers, "We have taught them how to observe God's perfect Law, which You actively defy and encourage others to deviate from it." He calls out to the crowd, "All of you, this man is dangerous. He's leading you astray!"

"His words bring hope and healing," says Rivka in the crowd. "His words are blasphemous, heretical, and rude!" counters Akiva. Jesus continues, "Then I say woe to you, Pharisees, for you love the best seats in the synagogue and greetings in the marketplaces." Akiva demands He takes those words back, but Jesus says, "I'm just getting started!" Tension grows in the crowd and people are starting to get knocked down. Jesus's disciples attempt to calm the people. Gaius sees Matthew in the crowd and tells him, "You need to get Jesus out of here. Tell Simon it's serious." Matthew informs him that Simon's name is now Peter, but is quickly sent on his way.

Back at the Roman compound, Julius informs Quintus, "The Pharisees have upset a peaceful gathering in the square, and now the people are protesting the Pharisees." Quintus erupts, "No! No more chaos! Where is Gaius?" Julius tells him, "In the square, doing what he can. He asked me to relay a message from Cohortes Atticus: What you do next will determine your career." 

In the increasingly chaotic crowd, Peter directs his fellow apostles to make an arms-length perimeter around Jesus before moving Him out. Thomas is tasked with finding a way to pass through into an alley. Thomas first tells Ramah she should go since the situation is no longer safe. She says, "I'm staying with all of you." Seeing she is determined, he asks Mary if she will stay with Ramah. Jesus's voice carries over the crowd: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops" (Luke 12:1-3). Akiva shouts at Him, "How can you claim to the be the Son of God and create this division against God's anointed leaders!" Jesus says, "Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, but rather division" (Luke 12:51-53). 

While the disciples prepare an exit path for Jesus, Atticus confronts Gaius, who asks, "What are you waiting for?" Gaius assures him he passed along his message. Atticus then says shrewdly and with a hint of admiration, "Has the preacher gotten to you? Perhaps you want Quintus to take the fall for another riot?" Gaius calmly asks him, "If I did, what would you do with me?" Atticus tells him, "Rome does not penalize ambition, Primi, but you are taking a huge gamble. One of you won't survive this." He walks away.

Quintus angrily strides into the crowd with armed guards following. He pushes his way to Gaius and demands, "Arrest Jesus." "No, Dominus," replies Gaius. Quintus repeats his demand, but Gaius faces him and again says no. Quintus now threatens him, but Gaius  says, "I will not." Gaius orders Julius to arrest Gaius for dereliction of duty. Gaius holds out his wrists towards Julius, who reluctantly binds them and leads him away. Quintus orders the rest of his soldiers to arrest Jesus now.

They wade into the crowd, which begins dispersing with shrieks of horror. Peter, seeing them come, approaches Jesus and says, "Master, it's time. We have to go," and leads Him in the escape route secured by His disciples. The Roman soldiers, not finding Jesus, arrest the protesting Pharisees instead. Quintus surges forward, enraged to see they aren't finding Jesus. The rest of Jesus's disciples try to flee the scene, but are having a hard time locating one another. Thomas desperately searches for Ramah. Quintus grabs one of Jesus's disciples by his clothes, demanding to know where Jesus went. Someone in the crowd pushes Quintus down, allowing Thaddaeus to escape.

As Quintus gets himself up, he sweeps out his sword in a rage. The crowd backs away from him. Thomas hears Ramah call out so he finds her and leads the way for them to find the others. He is so intent on that task, he obliviously walks right past Quintus and his sword. Quintus shouts for Thomas to stop, but Thomas keeps moving. Quintus thrusts his sword forward. Ramah lets go of Thomas's hand. When Thomas turns to find Ramah, he sees her before him and Quintus behind her, his sword sticking through her abdomen. Mary and other disciples in the crowd look on in horror.

Quintus pulls out his sword and looks horrified himself, staring at the blood on his sword. Ramah looks toward Thomas and says, "My love?" She slowly falls to the ground on her back. Thomas awakes from shock and kneels by her side, calling her name. Mary calls out for help. Thomas rips off his distinctive cloak and tries to stop the flow of blood. Big James, looking at Quintus, boils over and pulls out his knife, running toward Quintus. John grabs his brother and holds him back from seeking vengeance.  Atticus strides towards Quintus and roughly removes him from the scene. While Mary continues crying out for help, Thomas pays close attention to Ramah.

Peter instructs Zee and the  disciples with Jesus in the alley to get Him to their house while he looks for the others. Jesus turns to go with them, but quickly turns back to listen and walks swiftly back toward where they were. He and then soon all the others see what happened to Ramah. Thomas, kneeling over her, tells her to hold on, repeating that she is fine. Ramah tells him softly, "Remember what I told you?" We get a hint of what it was when Thomas replies, "It's not over. It's not that time. Don't go, Ramah, Please, I can't--" "Thomas," says Ramah, "stay with Him. That's all I want. It's all I--" she gasps, and then slumps back still.

Thomas gasps himself and looks around in desperation. Seeing Jesus, he quickly arises and demands of Him, "Heal her. Fix this. This is a mistake!" Jesus says gently, "Thomas, I'm so sorry." Thomas says, "Rabbi, You don't have to let this happen. Just take it back! Just take it back. She might not be dead yet. You can heal, right?" Jesus tells him, "It is not her time." Stepping forward He reassures him: "I love you, Thomas. He [the Father] loves you. I'm so sorry." Peter lays a consoling hand on Thomas's shoulder, and the other disciples cradle each other in their grief as they witness Thomas now collapsing in tears over Ramah's body. Jesus looks up towards heaven. Thomas cries out No amidst his sobs.

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