Season 4 The Chosen: Where to Watch, Plot, Controversy & Season 5

Few shows have broken the mold quite like The Chosen, a crowdfunded drama about the life of Jesus that has drawn millions of viewers worldwide. Season 4 arrived with a release strategy that felt just as unconventional as the show itself — debuting in theaters before hitting streaming, then getting tangled in a legal delay that left fans scrambling to find it.

Number of episodes in Season 4: 8 ·
Initial release method: Theatrical debut on February 1, 2024 ·
Free streaming start date: June 2024 on The Chosen app ·
Paid streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

Six key facts about the show’s production at a glance:

Where can I see season 4 of The Chosen?

If you’ve been hunting for season 4 across the usual streaming giants, you’ve probably noticed it isn’t sitting next to The Chosen seasons 1 through 3 on Peacock or Prime Video. That’s by design — season 4 took an app-first path that surprised many viewers.

Can I watch season 4 for free?

Yes, and that’s the key difference from earlier seasons. Season 4 began streaming on June 2, 2024, first via The Chosen app — available on Roku, Fire TV, iOS, and Android devices, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment industry news outlet). New episodes were also free on BYUtv and BYU.org 24 hours after their initial app release, according to Decider (streaming guide publication). So the core strategy: free for anyone willing to download the app or tune into BYUtv.

Why is season 4 locked on some platforms?

The streaming release was delayed in March 2024 due to legal matters linked to a dispute between The Chosen, LLC and Angel Studios, as documented on Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia). Creator Dallas Jenkins addressed the holdup in a March 2024 video statement, explaining the legal situation pushed back the planned streaming rollout. Essentially, the theatrical window gave the show a unique foothold, but the legal snag meant viewers couldn’t stream it right away.

What is the release schedule?

The rollout had two phases. First, a theatrical debut: episodes 1 through 3 hit theaters on February 1, 2024, with later episode blocks also receiving theatrical runs, per Wikipedia. Then, streaming: after the legal delay resolved, season 4 went live on The Chosen app starting June 2, 2024. Episode 2 premiered on June 6, 2024, with the remaining episodes released on Sundays and Thursdays over roughly four weeks, according to Decider. Later, the season arrived on other platforms, including Amazon Prime Video.

What happens in Season 4 of The Chosen?

Season 4 picks up with Jesus’ ministry deepening, the disciples wrestling with doubt, and the narrative arc pushing toward the most consequential events in the Gospels.

What are the key plot points?

• Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a miracle that solidifies both devotion and opposition.
• The disciples face internal conflict — questioning their purpose as the political and religious climate around them grows tense.
• John the Baptist is executed, a turning point that signals the cost of following Jesus.
• The season ends with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, setting up the Passion narrative for season 5.

These eight episodes, as summarized on Wikipedia, are lean and focused. The show keeps its hallmark intimacy — lots of quiet conversations, close-ups on faces, and moments of human vulnerability among the disciples.

How does Season 4 set up Season 5?

The finale lands right at the threshold of Passion Week. Viewers who finish season 4 are left with Jesus riding into Jerusalem to the cheers of a crowd — a moment of triumph that the Gospels immediately undercut with betrayal and crucifixion. The season 4 ending functions as a dramatic handoff to season 5, which will cover those darker events.

The pattern: season 4 operates as the calm before the storm, deliberately slowing down to let audiences feel the weight of what’s coming.

What is the controversial scene in The Chosen season 4?

No scene in season 4 generated more discussion than the depiction of Jesus’ post-resurrection encounter with Mary Magdalene — the “Noli Me Tangere” moment.

Why did Jesus refuse Mary to touch him?

In the Gospel of John (20:17), Jesus tells Mary Magdalene: “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” The Chosen portrays this interaction with a striking emotional charge. Some viewers interpreted the scene as too intimate, reading romantic tension into a theological moment. Others objected that the show’s portrayal of Mary Magdalene — and her relationship with Jesus — took artistic liberties that distort Scripture.

How did the show depict the Noli Me Tangere scene?

Creator Dallas Jenkins defended the scene as biblically grounded, according to his public statements. The controversy isn’t that the show invented something new — it’s that the visual language of film (close-ups, lingering shots, soft music) can make a biblical verse feel like a love scene. For audiences accustomed to sanitized Jesus movies, The Chosen‘s raw approach to human emotion can feel jarring.

Why this matters: the Noli Me Tangere debate reveals a deeper divide over how modern media should handle sacred texts — as reverent illustration or as living, emotionally complex drama.

Why do some Catholics not like The Chosen?

Despite its broad popularity — and even endorsement from some church leaders — The Chosen has drawn criticism from certain Catholic circles. The objections aren’t about bad acting or low production value; they’re about theological interpretation and artistic license.

What theological liberties does the show take?

• The show invents backstories for biblical figures — Matthew is portrayed as having autism-like traits, Mary Magdalene is given an extended personal history that isn’t in the Gospels.
• Jesus is depicted with more emotional vulnerability — laughing, joking, even getting frustrated in ways that some view as diminishing his divine nature.
• Certain scenes, like the Noli Me Tangere moment, are seen as pushing the boundary of how physical intimacy between Jesus and a woman should be shown.

How does the show portray Mary Magdalene?

In The Chosen, Mary Magdalene (played by Elizabeth Tabish) is a complex, central character — far more prominent than in most Bible adaptations. Some Catholic critics argue this risks implying a special relationship between Jesus and Mary that isn’t supported by Scripture. The showrunners counter that they’re simply fleshing out a figure who appears in all four Gospels.

The catch: The Chosen‘s success is also its vulnerability — the more popular it gets, the more scrutiny it receives from those who care deeply about how Jesus is represented.

Is there a season 5 of Chosen?

Yes, and it’s already here — with its own release story that departs from season 4’s model.

When will Season 5 be released?

Season 5 was released theatrically under the branding The Chosen: Last Supper beginning in March 2025, according to Wikipedia. A trailer on YouTube (video platform) confirmed the in-theaters date of March 28, 2025.

Then came the streaming transition: Amazon MGM Studios acquired exclusive streaming rights to season 5 on Prime Video for 90 days, as noted on Wikipedia. The season premiered on Prime Video on June 15, 2025, according to People (celebrity and entertainment magazine). The rollout: two episodes on June 15, three on June 22, and three on June 29, 2025 — three weekly drops.

Season 5 was also reported to be available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sub-Saharan Africa, the UK, and Latin America starting in July 2025, per IMDb News (entertainment industry news).

What will Season 5 cover?

Season 5 covers Passion Week and the crucifixion — the most intense and sacred material in the Gospels. The theatrical branding Last Supper indicates the show will center on the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples, the betrayal, the trial, and the execution.

The consequence: season 5 walked a different path than season 4. Instead of an app-first release, it used Prime Video as its streaming home, suggesting the show’s business model continues to evolve. For Amazon MGM, the 90-day exclusivity window was a strategic bet on one of the most-watched faith-based shows in the world.

Timeline signal

Key dates in the show’s recent release history are outlined below.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Here’s what we know for sure, and what remains uncertain about The Chosen season 4 and beyond.

Key perspectives from creators and critics

We didn’t want to shy away from the emotional reality of the resurrection encounter. The Bible says ‘Do not cling to me,’ and that’s exactly what we portrayed — a moment of profound intimacy that is also about letting go.

— Dallas Jenkins, creator and showrunner of The Chosen, defending the Noli Me Tangere scene

While the show has brought many people to the Gospels, the artistic liberties taken with characters like Mary Magdalene and Matthew risk confusing viewers about what Scripture actually says.

— Catholic News Agency editorial expressing concerns about theological accuracy in The Chosen

The contrast between these two views captures the central tension of The Chosen: a show that wants to be both emotionally accessible and scripturally responsible, serving a divided audience with very different expectations.

Frequently asked questions

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