Two by Two

> *"I am sending you out, two by two, proclaiming as you go 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!', heal the sick, cast out demons."*
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> *-Jesus, to the Twelve*
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> **Two by Two** is the second episode of the third season of The Chosen.
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## Synopsis

Just when things start to settle down for the ministry, pilgrims, faces from the past, and Jesus's new commission stir things up again.

## Plot

### Growing Crowds

Several hundred pilgrims who came for the sermon camp right outside Capernaum’s gates in hopes of seeing Jesus again. Atticus and Gaius watch on, the former knowing Quintus will be furious at this development. The latter still appears unsettled by what he heard in the sermon. That night Simon Z. and Nathanael walk through the new shantytown , and Simon Z. worries about the attention this will draw from Rome towards Jesus. They are secretly watched from a distance by a member of his former order.

### Healing Old Wounds

After an awkward start to the visit with his parents, Matthew cuts right to the chase and acknowledges the selfishness of his actions, hurting not only their people but his family, causing them to be publicly scorned. While expressing a desire to make full restitution, Alpheus assures him he has done enough by leaving his career and joining Jesus, apologizing for disowning Matthew.

When Matthew tearfully asks what changed, they tell him they listened to the sermon also, and express excitement that he is acting as the Messiah’s scribe, with Elisheva telling Matthew he’s different from everyone because God set him aside for a grand purpose. Alpheus returns the key to Matthew’s old mansion, despite his son insisting he will never live in it again, and offers to let him stay with them whenever he’s back in town.

### "We are Still Rome!"

Quintus is just now informed by Gaius and Atticus of the sermon and the pilgrim camp. While he initially plans to have the pilgrims forced out, Atticus suggests he instead redraw the city borders to encompass the camp so he can tax its residents. He takes this suggestion, but is uneasy when Atticus hints that he will be telling Governor Pontius Pilate about the Praetor’s actions.

### Thoughts of Matrimony

Thomas announces to Big James, John, and their parents his intentions of asking Ramah’s father for her hand, though there is some difficulty in this as Jewish marriages are arranged between the couple’s families, and Thomas has neither father nor older brother to speak with Kafni on his behalf. Zebedee, meanwhile, has rented an olive press and discovered himself to have a talent for making delicious oil, which can be used for cooking as well as priestly rituals.

Matthew gives his house to the ministry and lets the women stay in it rather than Mary’s tiny apartment. Slight tension arises when they start running low on money for food yet Tamar refuses to sell any of her jewelry for sentimental reasons, and also makes a remark about Mary’s sordid past. They playfully tease Ramah about Thomas's obvious affections, asking if she would like to marry him. Though hemming and hawing with reminders of Jewish engagement customs, she admits to returning his feelings. When she and Mary try to ask Tamar about her own people’s marriage customs, she suddenly gets tight-lipped.

### Shadows in the Night

While visiting the well at night, Simon Z. realizes he’s being followed and escapes to a rooftop, where he’s cornered by Atticus. The Roman makes it clear he has no hostile intentions, though reveals he’d been watching him for some time. He admits a longing to understand exactly what Jesus is, and warns him that members from his order have tracked him here with the intent to kill Simon Z. for desertion.

### Family Plans

While Simon and Eden are enjoying a rare moment alone, she admits to struggling with loneliness and feeling lost during his long absence, but was able to cope by remembering Jesus acknowledging her role in everything. Believing the group will be staying in Capernaum for a while, they agree it is time to start trying in earnest for children.

### New Mission

Jesus calls a meeting at Simon and Eden’s house, announcing that He’s sending the men out as His twelve apostles to minister two-by-two in order to better spread the ministry, temporarily granting them authority to cast out demons and perform miracles, bidding them to only take the clothes on their backs, relying on God to provide through the hospitality of others. Matthew declines Philip’s nominating him to handle the ministry’s finances again, instead nominating Judas, who accepts.

Jesus assigns pairs and where they should go: Both James’s to Sharon, John and Thomas to Joppa, Andrew and Philip to Naveh, Simon and Judas to Caesarea Philippi, Nathanael and Thaddeus to Perea, and (to everyone’s chagrin) Matthew and Simon Z. to Jericho. Matthew panics at being teamed with a former Zealot, who is only now learning he used to be a tax collector. Jesus reminds Simon Z that none of them are what they once were, he and Matthew most of all. Eden is clearly stricken at being separated from Simon yet again, but won’t let him ask Jesus for a shorter assignment.

As the meeting breaks up, Thomas asks Jesus if he has His blessing to marry Ramah. Jesus reminds him that Joppa is a short distance from Kafni’s home, making it clear He'd assigned him there for that very purpose. Thomas tells Ramah about the mission, and she confesses to knowing his intentions for matrimony, stating she will go ahead of him in hopes of softening her father to the idea.

### "...Which You Haven't Healed."

Little James admits to Jesus that he’s troubled at the thought of healing others while he himself is crippled, asking Jesus why He lets his infirmity remain. Jesus tells him that many will have the testimony of His miraculously healing them, but James is one of the few who have the strength to praise God despite knowing hardship, finding His strength in their weakness. Rather than the burden he sees himself to be, Jesus promises Little James he will do many incredible things in his lifetime, and will find complete healing in eternity.

### One Last Meeting

That evening the Apostles meet in front of Matthew’s old house, and Simon Z. Promises to the other Simon Matthew will be safe with him. Despite their fear, they remind each other Jesus believes them ready. They all recite the third Psalm together, which was created by David while fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom who tried to steal his kingdom.

## Cast and Characters

### Main

* Jonathan Roumie as Jesus
* Shahar Isaac as Simon Peter
* Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene
* George H. Xanthis as John
* Paras Patel as Matthew
* Abe Martell as Big James
* Joey Vahedi as Thomas
* Yasmin Al-Bustemi as Ramah
* Yoshi Barrigas as Philip
* Jordan Walker Ross as Little James
* Giavani Cairo as Thaddeus
* Austin Allemen as Nathanael
* Alaa Safi as Simon Z.
* Luke Dimyan as Judas Iscariot
* Lara Silva as Eden
* Amber Shana Williams as Tamar

### Recurring

* Elijah Alexander as Atticus Aemelius
* Kirk B. R. Woller as Gaius
* Nick Shakour as Zebedee
* Nina Leon as Salome
* Brandon Potter as Quintus
* Troy Caylac as Alpheus
* Jaqueline Torres as Elisheva

## Themes

This episode is based on Matthew 9:35-11:1, Mark 6:7-13, and Luke 9:1-6

### Events

* The Twelve are being sent out to preach themselves
* Simon Z. is being stalked by his former order
* Pilgrims build a tent city waiting to see Jesus
* Matthew has made amends with his parents
* Simon and Eden plan to start having children
* Judas is put in charge of the ministry's finances
* Thomas and Ramah try to make their marriage plans formal
* Zebedee is starting an olive oil business