The Chosen: And I Will Give You Rest

The Chosen #3

by Jerry B. Jenkins

To the Pharisees, Jesus is a blasphemer. To the Roman authorities, he's a threat to their rule and order. But to the masses, he's a miraculous healer and a profound teacher.

In this third installment of The Chosen series, we see Jesus healing the sick, preaching the Sermon on the Mount, feeding the five thousand, and raising the dead. We see his enemies growing ever more determined to silence him. And we see his very human disciples struggling with their own questions and concerns, believing in but not yet understanding their Messiah.

Based on the acclaimed TV series The Chosen, the most amazing story ever told--the life of Jesus--gets a fresh, new telling from New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christianity, Biblical Fiction, Faith, Christian Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2023

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the second last chapter having me in literal tears because I've cried that prayer so many times in my life "Please don't leave me. Please don't let me go". Oh to love a God that never leaves nor forsakes me but does what's best for me like a parent to a child. That chapter made it a 5 stars for me.
I love that Simon starts off angry with Him until Jesus explains and then he just breaks down. It's so raw and relatable.

[Dennis Ticen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This season was great but it’s better on the screen than on the page. The scenes don’t seem to translate to prose as well for season 3.

[Sarah L · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Hope Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consistent. Reliable. Exactly as I’d hoped. I know I’m just rattling off some words but those are the first things that come to mind with this book! Just like the first two books, it matched the show and Jerry Jenkins’ writing in which case it was expectantly wonderful! I only have one factor that I minorly disliked. It didn’t seem as accurate to the show as the first two books. It’s really not that big of a deal. The two main changes that I noticed (besides some of the lines not being word for word necessarily 😆) was 1: Zee and Nathanael found Veronica whereas in the show it was Thaddeus and Nathanael. 2: The shepherd who gave his tassels to Matthew was named Yoram but in the show he was named Matthew. It’s nitpicky, I know. Did it effect my enjoyment? Not really but I don’t recall the first 2 books having that happen 😆

[Doris Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and TV series really captures me. Things are brought to life and help to make the Bible real to me. I really appreciate the humanity of Jesus and his disciples. At the same time the novel emphasizes the divinity of Jesus by the miracles he performs. The feeding of the 5000 near the Decapolis, Gentile and Jewish territory, really struck home to me. What a miracle! Another fact that was amazing to me was the number of rules that the Jewish people of that time had to abide by. Over 600 laws to keep track of. These and many other items made me appreciate the time of Jesus coming to earth. I am headed for the next book in the series.

[Jan Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very good!

This book, much like the series lets you feel the love of God and Jesus. Even as we go through troubles and pain He is there holding our hand! Jerry Jenkins did a fantastic job with this book. It is so much more than the series because you learn how the people think and feel. Every one should read the books as well as watch the series. They truly help you grow in your faith!

[Kamryn Ranazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW miscarriage



This is my favorite season of The Chosen. I originally read it to see if it would qualify as a book for my reading list for my nonprofit since Eden does endure a miscarriage. Instead it became about being married to someone whose job keeps them away from home. I highly recommend this for anyone who has lost a child, is married to someone with a job that requires a lot of responsibility, or is just overall feeling like God doesn’t see them.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed watching The Chosen series so much that I started reading the books. Wanting a deeper biblical understanding I also began reading the Old Testament again to understand the Jewish perspective. When reading the third book in series I found I had an increased understanding of the ministry of Jesus Christ. I look forward to the 4th book that is scheduled to be released in July.

[Rick Farlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series that closely follows the movie series and, just like the first two, it is excellent. The books actually delve deeper into the storyline and characters because it reveals their inner thoughts and emotions… if you’ve seen the shows, I recommend reading these novels for a deeper dive into the Gospels.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Diane Antunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the extra insight into what the characters are thinking, it adds to the amazing show and the show gives me a visual of what this book is describing, so it’s great how they complement each other. Love it!!!

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't get a chance to write a book review on the real date I finished this book because I had to get ready for a funeral. My uncle Harold died. I didn't let that bad news stop me from finishing the book. Besides, Jesus is the main character.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to read an account of Jesus... fictional story based on the bible - worth a read...

[Kimberly Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Jenkins' written account of Season 3 of The Chosen is an awesome enhancement to the series.

[shelby ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super good!! I totally recommend this series.

[Michelle Gravert-Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A further in depth look into the series. I love what it adds to watching the show.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eager for the 4th!!! I actually learn from every book .

[Bettina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit is het boek van het derde seizoen van de prachtige serie The Chosen, en het is gewoon mooi.

[Linda Speigle-Wann · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

I highly recommend reading this series! It reads very close to the Bible. I love that scripture is quoted through out each book

[Debbie Tiniakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to read this book then watch the chosen!!!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful accompaniment to the show. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selbst für die meisten Christen ist der historische Jesus nicht jemand, dem man einfach mal so auf der Straße in die Arme laufen könnte oder der mitten im Alltag das Gespräch mit ihnen sucht. Anders ging es den Menschen vor fast zweitausend Jahren, die Jesus ganz anders erlebten, als wir es heute tun - nicht durch Bücher und Schriften, sondern mitten im Leben. Dem versucht die Serie "The Chosen" nachzuspüren und nimmt dafür die Jünger Jesu und ihre Schicksale in den Mittelpunkt.

Im Zentrum der dritten Staffel der Serie, die in diesem Buch verschriftlicht wurde, steht die (fiktive) Frau von Simon Petrus, Eden. Während sich das missionarische Handeln Jesu fortsetzt (konkret greift das Buch etwa die Bergpredigt, die Aussendung der Jünger und die Speisung der Fünftausend auf), rücken so auch die zurück gebliebenen Familien der Jünger in den Mittelpunkt und was es für sie bedeutet, dass die jungen Männer ihre Ehefrauen und Eltern zurücklassen, um Jesus zu folgen. Dabei scheuen die Macher der Serie auch vor dunkleren Themen nicht zurück, die selbst heute erst seit wenigen Jahren offen angesprochen werden. So ist die Geschichte zwar antik, die Themen jedoch hochaktuell und für moderne Leser maßgeschneidert.

Genau an diesem Punkt stößt "The Chosen - Bei mir findest du Ruhe" allerdings auch immer wieder an seine Grenzen: Deutlicher als die beiden Vorgängerbände ist hier zu spüren, dass aus einer amerikanischen Perspektive erzählt wird, die bestimmte Regelungen oder (spirituelle) Praktiken als gegeben voraussetzt und nicht darüber nachdenkt, dass es in der Antike möglicherweise anders gewesen sein könnte. (Auffällig ist das besonders dort, wo einfache Fischerfamilien in der Freizeit Torarollen aus ihrem Familienbesitz lesen, was die Leser natürlich an ihre eigene Bibellektüre erinnern soll, in die Zeit allerdings nicht passt.) Auch an anderen Stellen driftet die Erzählung immer wieder zu scheinbaren Wahrheiten ab, die für den theologisch ungeschulten Leser auf den ersten Blick nicht klar als Fiktion zu erkennen sind. (Wie etwa die Benennung des "Bergs der Seligpreisungen" durch Matthäus, wohingegen der heute so benannte Ort erst deutlich später von Pilgern so betitelt wurde und nicht zwingend mit dem Berg der Bergpredigt identisch sein muss.)

Insgesamt sind diese schwierigen Aspekte allerdings deutlich in der Minderheit. Vielmehr erlebt man im dritten Band von "The Chosen" wie gewohnt Bibelgeschichten in einem völlig neuen Licht, deutlich lebendiger, quasi dreidimensionaler und auch packender, als man es gewohnt ist. Auf verschiedenen Wegen wird auch schon auf das angespielt, was noch kommen wird - von den acht geplanten Staffeln ist man inzwischen ja nun auch fast auf der Halbzeit - und so kriegt man auch immer wieder selbst Lust, zur Bibel zu greifen und nachzulesen, wie das Quellenmaterial von dort verarbeitet wurde. (Ein Stellenregister zu den einzelnen Teilen/Folgen im Anhang wäre dafür eine echte Bereicherung.) So wie die beiden Vorgängerbände kann ich diesen dritten Band von "The Chosen" also nur jedem ans Herz legen, der Lust darauf hat, die aus den Evangelien bekannten Geschichten einmal ganz neu zu erleben. Auch denjenigen, die die dritte Staffel von "The Chosen" bereits gesehen haben, sei das Buch wärmstens ans Herz gelegt, da hier viele Details viel besser zum Tragen kommen und Subtexte deutlicher werden. Andersherum lässt sich das Buch natürlich hervorragend zuerst lesen - versüßt durch das Wissen dadurch, dass die Verfilmung bereits in Serienlänge existiert.

[Eva J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually gave this book 4.5 stars