The Chosen: Upon This Rock

The Chosen #4

by Jerry B. Jenkins

From the fate of John the Baptist to Jesus’ profound teaching on inexhaustible forgiveness, in this fourth installment of The Chosen series, we grieve with Jesus’ followers at an unspeakable loss, traverse with them “the extra mile,” face down the Pharisees, and witness an impossible miracle.

As religious leaders conspire to put an end to His ministry, His renown, and His very life, Jesus' followers wonder at His ominous parables and pronouncements.

Beyond retelling the familiar accounts, The Chosen: Upon This Rock sees Simon become Peter and takes us to the innermost thoughts of the major players in the greatest story ever told.

Based on the acclaimed TV series The Chosen, the life of Jesus gets a fresh, new telling in this novel series from New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Faith

352 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2024

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

[Diane Antunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful compliment to the amazing show The Chosen. Then read the whole story of Jesus and the Good News in the best book ever written, the Bible!

[Marissa Wells (Marissa's Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Positive Content-

▪ The book is very identical the TV series, but goes even deeper because you get to know more of what the characters were thinking which explains some things better.

▪ I loved the teasing between the disciples!

▪ It was really interesting how different Hebrew words were used in the book, such as, "Shalom" and several others.


-Negative Content-

▪ Atticus makes a rude remark while a sculpture is creating a bust of Preator Quintus saying, "I would normally tell the man he's immortalizing the wrong end."

▪ "hellhole" is mentioned once when referring to a city.

▪ The ESV version of the bible is used.
In my personal opinion, if the KJV was used it would make it more original for the time period with the old English the KJV contains.

-Triggers-

▪ A mention of a couple losing an infant to an illness.

▪ A side character's life is taken when impaled by a roman's sword. There is brief mention of blood from the wound and where the blade went through. This scene is very short and only takes up 1/10 of a page maybe.
(If you want to skip this part, it is page 150 in the paperback or about 47% through, but it has quite an effect on the rest of book and on some characters with the rest of the series.)

-Typos-

There was a typo or two though I was reading a finished published copy. (Which is fine, I just barley noticed.☺)

▪ 'bu' was meant to be the word 'but'

I bought a paperback copy of this book at a local bookstore near me and was not at all required to give a review. The thoughts above are my own.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Love this series. It follows the TV series to the T. Makes the Bible easier to understand from a different perspective.

[Hope Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novelization of another great season of the Chosen.
My theory since the last book is that Jerry Jenkins writes these books based on the original SCRIPTS and not the final episodes themselves. I have this theory due to some of the inconsistencies with the show. There is a scene with Thomas in the last part that wasn't in the last episode, some lines from the show weren't in the book that could have been ad libbed, and some other minor things like that. I find it really fascinating what was originally planned versus what the final episodes came to be.
Another thing I love about these novelizations is when I notice things I never noticed in the show before. The main one for this book was that Yanni said the word 'Prescient'. I had no recollection of that and hadnt known what it meant until reading this so that was fun.

[Doris Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read all 4 books of THE CHOSEN, there is not much more I can say. Of course, I enjoyed this book also. I did have difficulty following all the characters in the story. But that was my fault. The main characters were perfectly clear. I did not remember the attempted stoning of Jesus in the temple where Big James took the brunt of the stones. Poor Thomas, my heart went out to him, even though I understood Jesus' reasoning. I really liked Little James and Thaddeus, the quieter of the Apostles, who were a mainstay of the group. Now I am ready to watch the TV series and have it in the works.

[Keeley McJunkin]

I might finish this one later. I love the tv series, but this POV was throwing me off. Simon walked blah blah blah. He stops. Not even kidding. That was a whole sentence. And the whole book is like that. Was not interested in the least. Watch the tv show instead.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the disciples come to life as relatable people. So well written!

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there'll be at least one more book.

[Debbie Tiniakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

You need to read this then watch the series! Amazing!!

[Kimberly Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry follows the TV series nearly verbatim but gives deeper insight of the thoughts of the POV character.

[Eva Kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

an emotional roller coaster.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book...but so far...like the previous ones...it's great!

I like how all the books in the series, follow along with the movie/tv series as well. But the main difference in the books, is when in the show...there is no talking, the book takes you into their thoughts or what is actually accuring at the time. It also explains a little more on some of the Jewish customs, that I didn't pickup as easily with the show.

It also figured out that Dallas's dad is the author of these books. No wonder the movie/tv series is great! May it continue to spread God's word and make those who watch or read it hunger for more! May they go to the actual reading of the Bible and seek out other Christians to share and learn and grow.

UPDATE: Again...another great book! This one builds more about Jesus's ministry and the growth of each of the disciples and some of the conflicts and strife they had in the beginning. How knowing that Jesus is the true Messiah, but still missing quite what that means. That Jesus is not the military leader some thought he would be.

Like the other books, it does follow the tv/movie series. I think the books compliment the series. But if you don't want to watch them, the books are a definite go to!

I've really enjoyed the series in the books as well as the movie/tv series and highly recommend both of them!

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

I am entranced by this series