The Chosen | – Did Mary Magdalene Relapse after meeting Jesus?


When we decided to portray Mary Magdalene relapsing, we knew it would be controversial and tough to watch. We also knew we had to get it right.

Dallas sits down with Ryan, our head writer, and Liz (Mary Magdalene) to discuss this important episode, including Ryan’s very personal connection to the story.

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About The Author

The Chosen WHY A TV SERIES ABOUT JESUS? We've been making movies for some of the biggest studios in Hollywood for 20 years. But a subject this important shouldn't be entrusted to Hollywood. It needs to be made by us. Isaiah 43:19 says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing..." The Chosen is a new thing. * How it was financed is new: We're the #1 highest crowd-funded media project of all time -- over $10 million from over 19,000 people. * The content is new: We're the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Christ. * The way to watch it is new: We're the first show to have our own app that connects directly to your streaming devices. No subscription needed. Just search "The Chosen" where you get apps and download to your phone. * How it's reaching the world is new: The show is free, but by "paying it forward," you help ensure people around the world can see it -- we're currently in every country. Welcome to a new thing!

Comment (43)

  1. Two sections of the Word comes to mind with this "relapse." "Behold, old things pass away and all things become new." Some believe this section of scripture tells us that Repentance brings an instant new life, without sin, others believe that the original language properly translated would have said: "Behold old things begin to pass away and all things begin the process of renewal." So some church groups will expect near sinless lives from early believers and others will allow endless relapses.
    One of the reasons I know that the move from "old to new" is a process, is because Mt 18:15 tells us how to handle a "brother." "Brothers" can't trespass against you, or need booted from the church if "old to new" was not mostly a process.
    I believe there comes a time when Heb 6:4-6 will be applied. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

    and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

    if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
    For it is impossible…. to renew them again unto repentance is what it is telling us. The long clause in the middle of this impossibility is the list of conditions to be forever rejected. I use this section of Hebrews to show to all those that believe that they have been rejected by God. I ask them if they did all the conditions. Some will say yes, so let me go back to my sin. Then I ask them if anyone ever warned them about Heb 6:4. And they say no. So I tell them that they can come back because they were not warned.
    Endless relapses are serious business. The saddest part is those that relapse to the cookies and ice-cream have become a part of the strongest "stronghold" in the body. How can a person drunk come to church? Some do. How can a person high on sugar come to church? There is probably another "fix" waiting on them in the lobby. All who turn to the bottle are not at ease during the sermon. Almost all who are 25, 50, 100, 200 lbs overweight are sitting at ease around many others at ease with the lack of ease causing the overweight person to go to the cookies and leave God out.
    There was an add campaign years ago: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." We need an ad campaign in most of the churches. "Friends don't let friends eat when they don't need food." Obesity is killing many more than drunk drivers ever will. In fact many are killed on our roads by blood sugar issues that will never be on record. When will we have officers with the new blood sugar testers that don't require a finger stick"

  2. I fell of the wagon last night, but satan won't keep me down. Day one again and Jesus please forgive me. This video pop up on day one, it is very helpful to understand this problem thank you for The Chosen.

  3. If We were capable!… to desecrate The Sacrifice, Mercy, Grace and Love of God…Of What value would that Grace of Forgiveness and redemption be worth?.. Nothing Can take away the Love of God . Romans 8: 38-39“ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  4. When I watch the chosen I personally feel so many emotions, it reaches inside me and moves me in ways that no other film or story ever has. I can admit that I have been brought to tears countless times. It is very hard for me to find the right words to describe the feelings I have for Mary throughout this journey. Hearing Mary in this interview left me speechless. I can personally relate on so many levels. When Mary says "You feel like you don't belong." she hit the bullseye. I would absolutely love to be able to meet her someday.
    As someone coming from a life of addiction and a dark past the journey of recovery is continuous and humbly submitting daily before God to overcome the enemies lies and attacks is a must. I can recall many times where I felt those same exact emotions and had those same exact thoughts. Even though my life has been saved by the love and grace of Jesus Christ and I am committed to daily live for God there have been times when I have been around my brothers and sisters in Christ or at church and the enemy with all his lies has caused me to feel or even think "I don't belong here" "I'm not good enough" etc. It is in those times, that is all the opportunity the enemy needs to pounce with the overwhelming flood of the past and regrets. Mary couldn't have said it better when you instantly want to disappear, walk away, and fall back into your previous life. You feel so unworthy, like you're nobody, there is nothing good in you. Jesus Christ in his faithful love never gives up and is always there to remind you that the old is dead the new is present and in him you are a new creation with a mighty purpose.

  5. The scene where Mary comes back into the tent to see Jesus, and her head is bowed and she confesses that she needs forgiveness. Jesus tells her to look up in his face. That spoke volumes to me. It showed me that when I come before our Heavenly Father to confess my sins that I don’t have to come with my tail in between my legs but look into His wonderful face to receive the forgiveness and the grace that He has for me

  6. I honestly don't mind the mary relapsed because that's realistic in the Christian walk. The only thing I would change is that the relapse be done further out in a series, so there will be more buildup. Then, have to relapse be a little bit longer than just 2 episodes. That's more of just a story telling standpoint.

  7. Hi my goodness all that you are saying is what I am going through right now and it’s with cigarettes the Lord has healed me but I am fighting what am I gonna do what is my life going to be like the fear of not knowing made me go back and started smoking again I have stopped I have picked it up I have stopped and I have picked it up and all I’m asking is that the Lord gives me strength to just let it go and I know he will and this time he is working really hard on me right now thank you JESUS

  8. I constantly look for some guidance in my situation, but never find it. I don't really identify with alcoholics who can't stop drinking for emotional reasons or addiction reasons – because I can't stop for physical reasons. I have chronic pain in my back and inflammation in my joints, and it makes it almost impossible to sleep. I have been on heavy medication in the past that I have had to go through withdrawal to stop. By the end of each day, I am in so much discomfort that I can barely think… sleeping becomes impossible and I live in such tiredness that I can't function well. So I drink beer every night. Not too much, 3 or 4… but at that level, I get a measure of relief from the overwhelming pain, and can sleep at least half of the night.

    But I don't want to drink all the time. I don't like being drunk. I can almost relate to the powerlessness they speak about here, but it's not the same powerlessness over an inability to deal with the world – it's a powerlessness over an inability to bear up under crushing physical pain.

    I worry about my health long-term, and it is expensive… and I wish there was another answer. I have tried all pain medications available, and nothing helps, and many of them are bad long-term options anyway. Anti-inflammatories make me sick, and nerve pain medication is worse than alcohol, and CBD/THC is horrible. I sometimes envy people who can just stop and be sober, and then just feel normal.

  9. Personally, I don't think her relapsing was controversial. What I think WAS controversial was HOW it was handled by the writing team. It was clumsily handled. Honestly, she probably should have gone straight to the tavern after the encounter with the Roman. That would have eliminated the weirdness and controversial aspects of how Jesus handled it, including choosing to prioritize his sermon over going to look for his lost sheep.

    Mary could have gone straight to the tavern, and Simon could have impulsively decided to go looking for her when she didn't return, because Simon is impulsive by nature, and Matthew could have chosen to tag along because he cares about Mary. That would have eliminated Jesus from the process until the end, thereby eliminating the controversy of him choosing his sermon over his lost sheep.

    Jesus choosing his sermon over his lost sheep is unnecessarily controversial, not in the Bible, and goes DIRECTLY against what he taught in the Bible (specifically, that a good shepherd drops everything and leaves the 99 to look for the 1 who goes missing, and doesn't stop until he finds it).

  10. I love how the Lord is exposing something that isn't always talked about properly. And how Jesus responds to the situation. Because we're so use to having to get it right the 1st time. Seeing how the Lord responds to Mary through the desciples and then Jesus himself is love, compassion and understanding is so powerful and freeing. Thank you Lord for using such a beautiful series to get this message across.

  11. She didn't spiral and if she had doubts and struggled the bible does not talk about it, the bible never even says she was a prostitute either that's a catholic teaching. She was possessed with 7 demons that's all it talks about and how Jesus delivered her from them. Can't stand how this show strays so far from the bible. This story line could have been biblical if you left it to Peter instead of making assumptions and confusing people about the bible. Peter did struggle with sin during Jesus crucifixion and after His Ressurection. Can't watch this show after all the heresy

  12. I love Elizabeth's portrayal of Mary. Episode 1 and I was hooked. I also was delivered from many spirits of drugs and others, that drugs were the least of. I studied the Bible for 7 years, learning about God and applying His word to my life continuing in my sinful practices. Yet, through the application of His word I found Him to be true. He delivered me completely in Sept. 2006 while I sat in the queen's chair in the drug house. I knew at 4 pm that day I was done, PTL! I recently celebrated 15 years clean and sober. I also have been a full-time volunteer with Friend Ships in Louisiana for 11 years. This is a faith-based organization that serves God. I thought I was living life on the edge in the old life, which I liked but now I serve Him in many situations and live the best life ever. Thank you Jesus and thank you Chosen. I also have sent your DVDs and t-shirts to friends to get the gospel out there. I must have watched season 1, all episodes, 15 times and continue with season 2. Thank you for streaming and having it be free because only through Jesus are we free.

  13. I like the role of Mary (the mother of Jesus), bringing back Mary (of Magdala) to Jesus and comforting her, suffering with her, as a mother figure for her. I appreciate as catholic this little detail of Mary the mother, that John later receives as his own mother at the cross.

  14. Elizabeth has a great look for illustrations of emotions. High cheek bones long jaw lines full hair slightly nasal seductive voice million dollar smile. Fav. Scene with Liz is " You have no power over us. She's comparable to Mel Gibson's facial expressions.

  15. To think anyone has the strength to never sin again, even after bring touched by Christ is hard to imagine. Mankind has a sinful nature, so i believe its very possible Mary could have backslid even after her healing, as she was still an ordinary human being.

  16. we are forgiven when we meet Jesus but we journey in a fallen world and we still feel and get reminded of all we were redeemed from. This chosen depicts that journey some of us go through! but the key is to choose, choose it over your feeling and emotions! Love how they thought of everyone in depicting christians in chosen! Beautiful work! Glory be to God.

  17. At first when watching this series I became annoyed that things weren’t lining up with scripture. But I’ve come to appreciate the direction these episodes are taking. We don’t know that Mary went back to her old ways but I like how that was added because we know that Christians aren’t perfect and we still sin at times. Whether it’s sins of commission or omission we are still forgiven and Jesus is always there. He will never leave or forsake anyone. That’s the love of Christ. ❤️

  18. I too am in recovery; before I understood a total surrender and willingness, I suffered with relapse. So grateful to a God who forgives and who's love is powerful! I really love the gentleman who shared part of his story….so helpful!

  19. I watched this talk back when it was released along with its related episode, but it's good to watch it again. I have many thoughts and emotions springing from watching this video, but I'll just say two:
    – If The Chosen isn't being inspired by the Spirit, I don't know what could be. So many people from several denominations and belief systems are being tremendously impacted by the show. It's being a humongous tsunami of grace all around.
    – Would it be possible to have Elizabeth Tabish maybe co-writing or co-directing an episode at some point down the road? I know she's also a cool writer and director, so it could be pretty interesting to have her running the show alongside Dallas for one special episode.

  20. When Jesus told Mary to look at his face, she said she can't. Why? because she felt unworthy. When I fell, I find it difficult to pray to God the way I used to because I felt I've failed him how could I now face him. Then I bounced back without knowing how. May God be praise

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