When Television Gets the Gospel Wrong: Why Entertainment Is No Substitute for Scripture

by A Mac November 6, 2025

It is easy to watch a beautiful scene in shows like The Chosen or other dramatizations and think we are seeing exactly what happened in the Bible. But today I am going to give you an example of one common misconception that is often presented as truth. Many people see the miraculous catch of fish and believe it happened early in Jesus’ ministry, when in fact Scripture clearly shows it occurred after His resurrection. This is not a small detail. The timing changes the meaning completely and exposes how entertainment often rearranges the truth of God’s Word to fit a storyline.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times. In John 21:1–14, some of them, including Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, and John, go back to fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They fish all night and catch nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stands on the shore. They do not recognize Him at first. He tells them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” They obey, and their net is filled with 153 fish. At that moment, they realize it is Jesus. Peter, in awe and conviction, dives into the water to reach Him.

This event happens after the crucifixion and resurrection, and it holds deep meaning. Jesus is not calling them for the first time; He is restoring them. Peter had denied Jesus three times, and in this encounter, Jesus restores him (John 21:15–17). It is a moment of forgiveness, renewal, and mission. Jesus provides for them again, showing that He is still Lord, still present, still the provider.

The first miraculous catch, however, is found in Luke 5:1–11. That one happens before the crucifixion, at the beginning of His ministry. There, Jesus uses the miracle to call the fishermen to discipleship, saying, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” That miracle was about calling them to follow Him. The post-resurrection miracle was about calling them back to faith and purpose after failure.

Shows like The Chosen and other productions often blend these two miracles together. They place the post-resurrection event in the early ministry as though it were the first call. This might look emotional or cinematic, but it is not scriptural. It misrepresents the Word of God and robs the scene of its true meaning. Scripture must never be bent to fit entertainment.

This matters because watered-down portrayals do not save. A softened gospel creates emotional connection but not spiritual conviction. People begin to rely on what they see on a screen rather than what is written in the Word. But the Bible warns us in 2 Timothy 4:3–4 that a time will come when people “will not endure sound doctrine,” preferring stories that please their ears. We are seeing that today. That is why it is critical to have your own relationship with Christ and to read Scripture for yourself.

The Bible is not a script for Hollywood. Every verse is divinely ordered and intentionally placed by God. The post-resurrection catch of fish is about forgiveness, renewal, and mission. It shows that Jesus meets us where we fail and calls us again to His purpose. The early ministry catch is about calling and obedience. It shows that following Christ begins with trust and ends with transformation.

To summarize all this in a biblical context, the great catch of fish is more than a miracle. The timing, before or after the resurrection, changes the lesson profoundly. The early ministry catch calls us to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. The post-resurrection catch calls us to trust Him after setbacks, recognize His presence, and embrace the mission He gives us. Knowing this allows us to read the Bible with clarity, discern the lessons God intends, and reject the watered-down versions of truth that come from human interpretation.