Thunder

Thunder

*"In fact, that’s what I’m going to call you from now on -- James and John, the Sons of Thunder."*
―Jesus to James and John.**[src]**
***Thunder*** is the first episode of the second season of *The Chosen*.

## Synopsis

Tension builds among the disciples as they wrestle with the increasing fame of Jesus in Samaria. Jesus rebukes Big James and John for their prejudice and, after a near-violent encounter, gives them a new nickname.

## Plot

In 44 AD, during the Shiva for the martyred Big James, John takes the opportunity to interview his fellow disciples as he writes their eyewitness accounts for his book. In Sychar, 26 AD, Big James and John plow a field while Jesus continues to teach the Samaritans. Thomas and Ramah arrive in Samaria and they join the group. Tension builds among the disciples as they wrestle with the increasing fame of Jesus in Samaria. Ramah's father, Kafni, expresses his unbelief in Jesus and as he leaves, he blesses her daughter. That evening, Jesus and his students have dinner with a paralyzed Melech, a former robber. Melech shares his story and Jesus comforts him. In the morning, Melech is miraculously healed. After breakfast, Big James and John assume the leadership among the disciples but the others oppose. When Big James and John try to present their plans to Jesus, they come across a group of Samaritans showing extreme hostility towards them. Then Big James and John request Jesus to rain lightning and fire from heaven to incinerate and destroy the Samaritans. Jesus rebukes them for their prejudice and he explains why he is here. After the near-violent encounter, Jesus gives them a new nickname: the Sons of Thunder. Invited to a synagogue to read a scroll of Moses and at John's suggestion, Jesus reads the first scroll of the first book of Moses, and in 44 AD, John remembers it and writes the introduction for his book.

## Cast and Characters

### Main

* Shahar Isaac as Simon
* Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene
* Paras Patel as Matthew
* Noah James as Andrew
* George H. Xanthis as John
* Abe Martell as Big James (season 2)
* Joey Vahedi as Thomas
* Yasmine Al-Bustami as Ramah, Thomas' partner
* Vanessa Benavente as Mary
* Austin Alleman as Nathanael
* Giavani Cairo as Thaddeus
* Jordan Walker Ross as Little James
* Jonathan Roumie as Jesus

### Recurring

* Vanessa De Silvio as Photina, the Samaritan woman at the well

## Themes

The episode is based on Mark 3:17, Luke 9:51-56, Luke 10:30-35, John 1:1-5, John 4:39-42, John 21:25, and Acts 12:2.

### Events

* John and the disciples are on Shiva as they mourn for Big James' death (Acts 12:2).
* John writes the drafts for his Gospel by interviewing fellow disciples for the eyewitness accounts and remembering the earlier events with Jesus (John 1:1-5, John 21:25).
* Photina tells everyone about Jesus and many Samaritans believe (John 4:39-42).
* Melech shares his story which is similar to the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35).
* Jesus rebukes Big James and John for their prejudice (Luke 9:51-56).
* Jesus gives Big James and John a new nickname: "the Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17).

## Videos

### Livestream

The Chosen Global Live Event - Season Two Premiere

## External Links

* Thunder on IMDb
* Thunder on The Chosen