Homecoming

*"I don't know yet why I'm writing, or to who. I am certain that I must record what I'm seeing"*

*-Yussif, to Jairus*

**Homecoming** is the first episode of the third season of The Chosen.

## Synopsis

Jesus preaches His biggest sermon yet, the group returns to Capernaum, and people are being moved by what they are hearing.

## Plot

#### A Revolutionary Sermon

The Sermon on the Mount convicts the listeners in different ways. Matthew realizes he’ll have to try reconciling with his family, Andrew feels ashamed of yelling at Mary Magdalene when he let anxiety get away from him, Simon turns thoughtful at the urging to love one’s enemies, and Zebedee realizes he is prioritizing earthly treasures at the cost of heavenly gain. Even Gaius appears unsettled, while Atticus seems intrigued.

#### New Faces

Greatly moved, Judas quits his apprenticeship and asks Jesus if he can join the ministry, wanting to be part of something so revolutionary. Jesus grants his request, solemnly telling him he will be doing hard things. He calls everyone forward to introduce Judas and thank them for their hard work, before sending them home with His blessing.

Joanna, the wife of Herod Antipas’s steward, has been sent from Machaerus by John the Baptizer, having been moved by the Nazarite’s preaching. Equally convicted by Jesus’s sermon, she sends him John’s love and offers to help finance the ministry, even granting Andrew’s request to bring him to see his old rabbi in prison. Though Ramah thinks her presumptuous, the others are grateful when she gives them a shawl made from priceless Shahtoosh to sell.

#### Back in Capernaum

Big James is surprised and bit jealous to see John bonding with Thomas, and feels left out of the loop when he learns his brother and parents invited him to stay at their house while the group’s in Capernaum. Simon’s hope of time alone with Eden becomes frustrated when she lets Nathanael and Simon Z. stay in their home, having nowhere else to go, and severely curtailing privacy. Eventually the other two men learn how to keep quiet and in their own room when the couple want to be alone.

Mary lets Ramah and Tamar stay with her, though her apartment proves rather small for three adults. An emotional Matthew drops by for guidance, saying he has no place to stay and hinting that he will be speaking with his estranged parents soon. Mary and Ramah assure him that he’s handling things well and doing the right thing, lifting his spirits as he plans to camp outside the city for the night.

Also moved by the sermon, Yussif has been compelled to write notes about it, as well as Jesus’s miracles and other teachings. While going to request more ink from the synagogue administrator, he learns the previous one transferred and is replaced by a man named Jairus, who has learned discretion when it comes to temple politics and controversial matters. He offers the use of his cellar for sensitive documents, hinting it will be a safe hiding place. Yussif accepts the offer, hinting that Jairus is welcome to read his notes about Jesus.

#### Sister's Instincts

Meanwhile, Judas puts his affairs in order and visits his married older sister Devorah to let her know his plans. She worries about his safety, reminding him that popular preachers and their followers often face arrest or death, and he is the only family she has left after their parents died. He remains steadfast, insisting Jesus may be the Messiah and eventually free them from Rome. He leaves her with the deed to his house as well as their late mother’s potted mint, and she bids him a tearful goodbye.

#### "There was Something in There Just for You"

At Machaerus, Andrew is appalled at the conditions John the Baptizer faces in the dungeons, but the other man remains in good spirits, excited about Joanna’s report of Jesus’s sermon. He assures a tearful Andrew not to worry about him, as far more important things are happening and Jesus is his Rabbi now, knowing there was something in His sermon Andrew needed to hear.

When he gets home, Andrew apologizes to Mary, saying she doesn’t deserve the anger and blame he showed her when Jesus was detained. Touched, she forgives him, admitting nobody has ever apologized to her for anything before.

Matthew finally reaches his parents’ house, nearly losing courage before Alpheus answers the door and warmly greets him as “Son”.

## Cast and Characters

### Main

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

### Recurring

* Kirk B. R. Woller as Gaius
* Elijah Alexander as Atticus Aemelius
* Troy Caylac as Alpheus
* Ivan Jasso as Yussif
* Nick Shakour as Zebedee
* Aalok Mehta as Barnaby
* Anne Beyer as Shula
* David Amito as John the Baptizer
* Jaqueline Torres as Elisheva

### New

* Alessandro Colla as Jairus
* Amy Bailey as Joanna

## Themes

This episode is based on Matthew Chapters 5-7

### Events

* Jesus completes the Sermon on the Mount
* Judas joins the ministry
* Joanna finances the ministry
* The group returns to Capernaum and those that live there reunite with their families
* Yussif begins recording Jesus's preaching and miracles
* Jairus starts working for Capernaum's synagogue
* Matthew tries to reconnect with his family