The Chosen: Not My Will...

The Chosen #5

by Jerry B. Jenkins

In Not My Will… Jerry Jenkins invites you into the tumultuous final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry—what’s become known as Holy Week. Beginning with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem astride a donkey’s colt, the story covers a side of Jesus we haven’t seen before: His righteous rage at the moneychangers in the temple.

The story delves deeply into the minds of the disciples and other close followers of Jesus, including the fear and scheming of both High Priest Caiaphas and Governor Pontius Pilate and his dream-tormented wife.

Judas’s haunting betrayal looms while Jesus faces His darkest night of the soul in Gethsemane, where His surrender to His Father and then to the Romans comes at an unspeakable cost. In vivid detail and with emotional depth, this novel captures the heartbreak, hope, and humanity of the most pivotal week in the history of the world.

More than retelling the story, Not My Will… takes you deeper into the hearts and minds of the show’s many intriguing characters like Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate and his wife Claudia, and Judas.

Genres: Christian, Biblical Fiction, Faith, Fiction, Religion

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2025

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

[Keeley McJunkin]

In a mini reading slump, but still not the greatest. Stopped at page 50 ish.

[Hope Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that Jerry Jenkins made the Last Supper scenes in order!
I know I am not as familiar with s5 as 1-4 but I believe this book was more accurate to the show than books 3 and 4 were.
One inaccuracy that I found was that Zebediah was referred to as being overweight multiple times. While some members of the Sanhedrin in the show are overweight, Zebediah is not one 😆 He is rather thin imo but it did make me chuckle anytime he was referred to otherwise 😝
Normally these novelizations cause me to realize something about the show that I hadnt noticed by just watching. That didnt really happen this time. But I still really enjoyed it!

[Diane Antunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoy the internal insights in the thoughts of each character. It helps me relate to what they must have gone through to a deeper level than only the tv show. Their humanity displayed brings me comfort and relief as I too am often not sure what God is doing in my life. But like these depictions of the Apostles and followers of Jesus, even when we do not understand we continue to love our Lord and follow Him wherever He may lead, knowing God is still working all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28) Excellent read if you watch The Chosen or not…but I highly recommend both!

[Stephanie Grohol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not My Will, Book five, continues the story of the Chosen and Jesus. This series was awesome, both book and TV series. This book tells the story of the last week of Jesus’s life leading up to Passover. We all know what happens but to read it in these books just makes it more interesting. I look forward to reading book 6 but also Season 6. It will be hard to watch as we know what comes next but I look forward to seeing how Dallas Jenkins and the rest bring this to life.

[K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed seeing the Bible in a different way. I tend to read these as I watch this series. Yet this book was hard for me to put down in between episodes.

I would recommend all of The Chosen Series books.

[Paul Semendinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. I love the movies. The books are each also excellent. This was no exception.

[Devyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much.

[Deborah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best yet of the novels. I like that it presents the events chronologically, which the TV series does not.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's so awesome how the biblical accounts come to life in real characters we can relate to. I can't wait to watch this season and of course what is to come!

[Tim Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't want to finish

[Michael Ann Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book along with watching the movie. It helps me to keep track of who is who. It follows along very closely to the movie. I find it is very helpful to me.

[Mary Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knew this one was going to be difficult as we get to the crucifixion. Loved it as much as the others