New controversy…did I get it wrong?

I thought the scene was beautiful. It actually made me cry! 😢❤

The first 2 seasons were so fun…Mary! Then the kids! And all the rest. My wife and I had endless discussions about which disciples (characters) would we be? Peter? Mary? Little James? Oh how we love to flatter ourselves.

Somewhere along the line (Season 3?) we began shifting the discussion to which villain we would be. Judas? Schmuel? I think that is a more pressing concern these days. We have been waiting for and giving lip service to the Messiah’s return but how are our lamps burning? How much oil do you have on reserve? Many of you know what I’m getting at.

What a heartbreak it would be to put so much time and effort into religion that you are oblivious to God’s presence right in front of you.

didn't Jesus pray to the Father to "take this cup from me" even though He knew it was His destiny to goto the cross ?

Love that rendition of Jesus and Judus . Can't wait until season 5 is available ❤❤❤

This to me is so silly. Jesus can pray for anyone regardless of who they are and what they have done.

One of the 4 most influential people in my Christian walk was Dr Dallas Willard. He was the mentor of my Pastor in the 80’s so I personally got to hear him preach on many occasions. One time he said to us “we are not saved by right beliefs” I have never forgotten that. It was Freeing and very wise. It’s almost ridiculous to say that none of us believe exactly the same things even about our faith. In fact I would say that you had never grown if you still had the same understanding of Christ like I did at 18 as opposed to now that I’m 70. I have not seen the scene that you have talked about. But whether I agreed with it at this point in time in my Christian walk or not would have no bearing whatsoever on how much I believe that God has led you to do this amazing work and making this film production. I am very thankful to God for the work you have done with the Chosen

Satan is the accuser of the Brethren.

I’m so sorry about the vitriolic fanatics. Keep provoking questions 💖 Why oh why do we have to be so afraid of differing views.

In my opinion, Jesus would have prayed that Judas while predestined to betray him would come back to him even after the betraying Him. However satan had won Judas heart to the point that Judas while sorrowful at betraying Jesus, didn’t believe Jesus could conquer death understand Christ’s ultimate mission, not to conquer the Romans and set up and earthly kingdom, but to conquer sin and create a new heavenly kingdom. Judas was unable to see this and killed himself before Christ rose again so he never even realized Christ would win the battle anyway. Peter denied Christ three times but came back to Him. You said the same passage from Matthew though that I was thinking when you started talking about this issue. These are the kinds of things that will be debated for years, but they matter little and are not the major point of the gospels.

““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭43‬-‭48‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

There is NO DOUBT that Our Heavenly Father has his hand on you and the entire Chosen cast ams the show in general
The Chosen is supernaturally powerful, reaching amd touching even non believers and making them curious enough to want to learn more about Jesus and his teachings. That being said, NO, Dallas, you didn't get it wrong, God would have shown you if so. I believe Jesus did pray for Judas 100%, the same way he told us to pray for our enemies. I dont think he asked for Judas to not betray him, Jesus knew that prophesy HAD TO BE FILLED, but he could still pray for Judas in general.
Keep doing what your doing, its so very powerful and so very needed

I have to confess I haven’t been following The Chosen after the first two seasons, but in reference to Jesus praying for Judas, it is interesting to note that Judas for all intents and purposes repented and through the money back at the priests. At that point in time, what more could He do? It’s possible, and who really knows but God and Jesus, that that remorse was enough for Jesus to get him out of an eternity in Hell.

Dallas, People are fickle. We will always find a way to challenge, debate or ridicule the decisions and ideas of others. The apostles, no doubt, were the same. Leaning on our own understanding often puts us on our behind! I trust that your decisions throughout making 'The Chosen' have been divinely inspired... Why wouldn't they?!
Bringing this series to billions of people across the globe is such a blessing. I thank God for your efforts and pray for you, the actors and everyone else involved in creating this amazing series. God bless you brother.

Excellent talk! Thank you Dallas

I think the Chosen team has some issues (flying LGBT flags on set, hording money and begging for more, not being truly transparent with finances so they can get more money, having people pay for the making of the show then charging them again to see it in theaters for early access, etc.) but this is not one of them. I read someone say "Jesus needed Judas to betray him to fulfill God's will. He would never do this" Jesus also knew He needed to die on the cross to fulfill God's will....yet PRAYED for it to pass if possible. So it is not implausible that Jesus could and would pray for Judas soul and asking for a different way

The Bible doesn’t say anything about these things.

I believe this show is historical fiction

Jesus praying to me is Jesus talking to the father. Doesn’t mean they are separate. Either you believe in the concept of the Bible of the Trinity or you don’t. It is after all about Faith right?

If Jesus prayed to the Father to please “forgive them father, for know not what they do” as well as ask to please “take / lift this burden from me” while speaking to the father in prayer (Jesus spent a lot of his time in prayer while he walked this earth- very well known fact!) Then it makes perfect sense to me that Jesus would pray for both sinners and non believers and it definitely makes sense that he would pray for the fallen or those of us that are struggling in their walk no matter who it is. Why wouldn’t he pray for Judas? He loves Judas. I also believe there is a very good chance that Judas will be or already is in heaven. Simply because I believe he most likely asked the father for forgiveness in the end. He was likely created to do what he did. It was in God’s plan all along. God’s plan would have been fulfilled either way but the fact is that Judas played a role in our Salvation. God teaches us to love our brothers and sisters and to be forgiving. If God can forgive us for the wretched things we do over and over again, how can we not forgive a man that helped give us our salvation. Maybe Judas is a test for all of us? A test of our hearts. Nobody will want to forgive the man that brought Jesus to the cross ( that’s the way people see it) but he also played a role in our salvation. Just my opinion. ❤

This show makes it very hard not to want to forgive Judas. 😂

Yes, THANK YOU Dallas! Thank you to the entire Chosen team!! This show has been incredibly healing for me. I lost my husband 7 years ago. He was the love of my life. An absolute gift from God. It had been a struggle to simply keep breathing in this world without him by my side. This show has been a tool for me. It renews my curiosity and causes me to dive into my Bible deeper. In turn, I breath easier and feel uplifted and am reminded that I am never really alone. Jesus is always with us. It also makes me brave. lol It’s easier to send scripture after watching a show. 😂 I do try to share encouraging verses and helpful passages to friends and family but at times, I might second guess if I should. When I’m deep into a season of The Chosen, I’ve noticed that I don’t even think twice about it. 😊👍♥️

Judas had the same option as Peter did! Peter denied Christ BUT he REPENTED! Judas could have ran back to Jesus and asked forgiveness. But he listened to satan and followed his direction.
I believe Jesus would have forgiven him even after the betrayal. Merry CHRISTmas!!🎁

Didn’t when Jesus gave Judas the bread dipped in the wine, Satan enter into Judas?

The scene was so potent. It was amazing!

If Jesus doesn't pray for us then how does salvation or his sacrifice on the cross work? His salvation is for everyone saint and sinner. "No man cometh unto the father but by me." Maybe he was praying Judas would have the resovle to betray him so salvation and the will of the father could be. Maybe it was thanks for Judas and his sacrifice because without him or someone like him would salvation have taken place? Who knows and in the great sceme of things it doesn't change what did happen. But I love this scene because it is comforting to know that he prayed for us all, and I believe he is still praying for us all! If he loved us enough to die for us I think he loves us enough to pray for us. Thank you Dallas! Season 5 is going to be amazing! Thank you for the care and consideration you put in to the show. Bless you and your family, and crew! Prayers for you all🙏

You're leading people to hell ? People say that ? I don't agree with everything you choose to do, but seriously... You're making a show about Jesus and the gospels. You're all doing your best. No one agrees on every doctrine (free will, predestination, osas, free grace, lordship......) and everyone thinks they're right and they're the ones reading Scriptures correctly and yet everyone disagree. But you're leading people to hell ? In my opinion, some Christians are either very misinformed or excessively fearful. We'll never know everything anyway and the only thing that matters is that you're sharing the Gospel and that we believe in it. Controversies are nothing but juice for mediocre journalists.

The scene is very much like I have thought the situation with Judas occurred. Judas believed Jesus was going to be this earthly ruler and was going to be a conquering king. He did not want or expect the Messiah to be a sacrificial lamb. This was really an issue all the disciples seemed to have, as they did not understand why Jesus was saying He would have to die. I even think it’s possible that Judas was skimming money to save up for the reign of Jesus, as he likely thought the money they would need for Jesus to be a king was being given away. When Judas finally realizes that Jesus is not going to be the conquering earthly king at that time, Judas became disillusioned and hurt, even though it was because of his fleshly desires. Judas later realizes that he had a part to play in the murder of Jesus and the condemnation of, in his eyes, a man who was innocent, rather than God the Son in the flesh. Did Judas realize his mistake at the end and repent as he took his own life, or did he die still thinking Jesus was just a man? I pray for the former and hope it is not the latter.

Very important thing to remember: a person may profess belief in Jesus without possessing belief in Jesus. Jesus could, of the Father's will, bestow sign gifts on the disciples including Judas for that limited mission appointed to them without it being a contradiction in purpose for Judas, or implying that Judas possessed faith in Jesus beyond professing faith in Jesus. God did not choose a believer to do the work of selling the Messiah to the enemies of the Kingdom of God for 30 pieces of silver. Another thing to think about is how may we pray for our enemies? Depends on whether our enemies are just offending us in ordinary ways, or whether our enemies have mounted an agenda that is anti-Christ and seeks to literally oppose the Kingdom of God. King David often prayed deprecatory psalms because the plot to murder him was a plot quite literally to oppose the covenant promise of God for the line of Messiah. David's deprecatory prayers were not merely to save his own skin; they were uttered in line with earnest for God's covenant promises to be preserved. The prayer of the believers in response to the account that Peter and John gave after their arrest, interrogation and intimidation by the Sanhedrin (Acts 4) was a powerfully deprecatory prayer about the enemies of the Gospel and for the work of the Gospel to go forth and increase. Acts 4:24-31. Would Jesus pray for Judas? More to the point: How would Jesus pray for Judas? Things like, "Father, please don't let him mess up the minds of My other disciples. Father, please limit his influence and ability to succeed at his counter agenda to what You have sent Me to do. Father, please limit the power of the evil one in his life... Father, please give Me wisdom and patience while You work out Your plan through this one who thnks he believes but he does not..." These kinds of prayers are consistent with the reality of the conflict between Judas' perception and fixation on the kingdom and Jesus' declaration of the Kingdom of God. This was another facet of Jesus' patience in His sufferings; always being challenged by the evil one through the deceived person of Judas. 🙏🙏

The problem is that it isn't in Scripture. And you present that there are multiple interpretations of this whole "have your heart" line. And you state that "Jesus has known for some time" that Judas would betray Him. But, the Bible says He knew from the beginning.

As for praying, the Bible records Jesus saying He will pray for Peter, but He tells Judas he will betray Him and to go do it quickly.

As for praying for enemies, Jesus certainly cried out for the lost, but at the same time declared judgment on those who won't believe.

"Having" his heart, and "wanting" it, is where you depart from Scripture.

Good that you point out that the Bible does specify that Jesus didn't pray for Judas. I think you err by taking what the Bible clearly says there, but then saying it was in that moment.... when He literally knew all along Judas' heart (which wasn't His, ever) and then created a scene that puts Jesus at odds with the Father, at least in the fairly obvious interpretation of the scene.

Ultimately, you'll give an account before God, and He does know hearts and minds.

Jesus prayed that God would change His mind and find another way for Jesus to save the world (Garden of Gethsemane), so I don't have any problem at all with this scene. Let it be a way to challenge your thinking and go to the Bible for answers. The Chosen can be a way to learn so many things. I don't have to agree with every last word. My faith is in God's truth and word, the Bible, and I don't spend too much time worrying that everyone doesn't understand everything in the same way I do and vice versa.
Also consider the many times Jesus went into the wilderness to be alone and pray. Who or what do you think He prayed for ?

You’re doing a wonderful job with this series!!

Thank you for bringing it to life for us!!
✝️💖🙏

You sound like a gas-lighter getting a divorce.... like "they're the unreasonable ones"
If you did a 'What-if of bible stories' you can't get annoyed people feel you've deviated scripture.

Dallas, I so appreciate how much you strive to help us understand your thoughts behind your work. It demonstrates YOUR heart that people understand where you're coming from. The church has been divided on so many of these issues for toooooo long. If nothing else, The Chosen is forcing the Body of Christ to talk. Thanks again for all your efforts to advance Jesus, Or Lord's, message❤

what is eternal salvation ? we are not eternal, how can it be eternal ? and if someone wants to drop it, it is gone even if he had it

People will say whatever they want, but GOD IS THE JUDGE! I for one have repeatedly wondered if Judas had only asked The Lord Jesus for forgiveness ,surely The Lord would have forgiven him!

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do"

You didn’t get it wrong. He would have prayed for him and he would have wept for him as Christ came to die for all who would believe would be saved. It was the will of his Father.

John 17

Jesus Prays for Himself

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Jesus Prays for All Believers

Judas must have known he had made a bad decision or he wouldn't have hung himself in guilt.

Jesus knew his destiny.
Only time Jesus called out to god in prayer was when he was on the cross and asked his father to forgive them for they know what they do.

Look. Ask. Love ♥️

Remember Jesus prayed to the Father” If you can remove this cup from me, but not as I will. Thy will be done. Judas was part of this plan.

Judas could have asked for forgiveness. Jesus left the door open for that. Judas chose suicide.

Jesus loves everyone. Period

The betrayal had to happen. Jesus had to die. And in the end Judas regretted what he did. Did he repent??? We will know when we get to heaven. However remember that Satan entered into Judas at the last supper. Can satan enter where Jesus is? I love the show

The only thing wrong with the show so far was jesus refusing to heal ramah

Jesus told Peter he had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. What an encouragement that must have been for Peter. Peter was able to encourage all who trusted Christ that “ We are kept by the power of God.” He stated “We have a living hope.”

Possibly Jesus prayed he wouldn’t kill himself ?! Then to be restored?

It takes guts and faith to create a show like you have. No matter what you do, you will take fire from multiple sides, denominations, viewpoints. But, I’m glad you e made this show, it has been wonderful! Thank you, God bless and regardless of whether Jesus prayed for Judas or not, I keep you and your colleagues in prayer as well Dallas!