The Chosen Season 5 Last Supper Episode 7: Recap, Review, & Analysis
- Kevin Keating
- 4 days ago
- 12 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Episode 7 of The Chosen Season 5 Last Supper (Part 3) depicts the events immediately leading up to the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-16) as well as Jesus washing the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-21). Below, I’ll provide a detailed summary of what happens in The Chosen Season 5 Episode 7, as well as a review and analysis of the episode’s key themes and messages. Also be sure to check out my recap, review, and analysis of Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, and Episode 8 as well as our upcoming discussion of The Chosen Season 5 Episodes 6-8 on YouTube.
What Happened in Episode 7 of The Chosen Season 5: The Last Supper (Part 3)?
The Last Supper Cold Open
Episode 7 begins with Jesus’ arrival at the Last Supper, accompanied by a teen boy named Mark. Though Mark goes to get a servant to help serve the disciples, after he goes, Jesus begins to wrap a towel around himself and fills a wash basin (John 13:3-5). The disciples immediately object, noting how filthy their feet are from walking around the city, but Jesus gently yet firmly urges them all to sit and do what he asks of them for their last meal together. Big James is the first to follow Jesus’ directions and have his feet washed, followed by Thomas, Little James, and Judas. Though the disciples are ashamed, Jesus responds by declaring, “How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news (Isaiah 52:7).
But Peter is still uncomfortable. Rising, he goes and finds another wash basin and insists that it’s his turn to wash the others. Though Jesus urges him to sit, Peter questions how he can allow his rabbi to wash his feet and insists that they should be washing themselves (John 13:6). In response, Jesus rebukes Peter and urges him to trust him and do what he asks, even if he doesn’t understand yet, since Peter can have no share in what he does unless he is washed (John 13:7-8). Humbled, Peter asks Jesus to wash his hands and head as well, although Jesus explains that this is unnecessary since Peter has already bathed – his need for washing is symbolic and not literal (John 13:9-10). As he washes Peter, Jesus explains that he is indeed setting an example for them, to set aside their pride and to lead through love and service, both to their friends and their enemies, one of whom is present with them even now. This leads to the confusion and anxiety amongst the disciples at the beginning of Episode 6.
Mark in The Chosen Season 5 Episode 7
Earlier that day, Mark is fastidiously preparing the tables for the Passover, when his father arrives. We learn that Mark had a vision three years ago that led them to purchase their current home and another vision the night before of the room being set for Passover, two men telling his father that the Teacher’s time is at hand, and of himself carrying a water jar. This last bit is particularly strange, since women generally are the ones who retrieve water.
As Mark and his father head to Solomon’s porch to listen to more preaching, they notice graffiti on their house that says, “Jesus is the Messiah” and the father worries that it will put their family at risk. He dispenses Mark to get water and wash it off and Mark happily obliges, recognizing how they are fulfilling his vision.
As Mark collects water from the well, Peter, John, and Thaddeus see him and trail him home, following Jesus’ instructions. Initially, they are encouraged to see “Jesus is the Messiah” written on his house, but then become worried when he begins washing it off. Nevertheless, they follow Jesus’ instructions and approach Mark’s father and inform him that Jesus has a question. When Mark recognizes them and their request from his dream, his father reluctantly obliges, urging Peter to be discreet. Sending Thaddeus back for the others, Peter and John are taken by Mark and his father into the upper room, where they prepare the Passover (Mark 14:16). Mark is eager to make sure that the bread and everything else is good enough, but Peter reassures him that he’s good, seeing as how the Son of God himself told them to come here and gave him a dream.
The Disciples in The Chosen Season 5 Episode 7
Near the beginning of the episode, Big James notices that he is being followed by a man and soon discovers that Kafni is behind it. Finding Peter in the square, preaching the Parable of the Faithful Servant (Matthew 24:45-51, Luke 12:35-40) to the crowd, James informs him that they are being followed. Returning to Phoebe’s house, they find the other disciples frantically cleansing the home of leaven in preparation for the Passover Seder. Careful to not mention the situation with Kafni, Peter, James, and John express concern to Jesus over whether Phoebe’s home is Seder friendly. In response, Jesus directs Peter and John to find a boy carrying a water jar and to follow him home and ask to use their large upper room for the Seder (Mark 14:12-15). As he leaves to pray, Peter gathers the disciples. Though they are relieved to not have to prepare the home, they are worried to hear about Kafni’s men working with Rome. Peter and John decide to take Thaddeus with them so that he can return and inform the others of the location of the home. The remaining disciples will then leave at staggered intervals and take circuitous routes to the home.
Peter, John, and Thad follow Jesus’ instructions and find the upper room as promised (see above). As Peter and John prepare the Seder, John laughs, thinking back to how it all began, with them up all night fishing, before meeting the Creator of the world. John goes on to tell Peter how he’s been coming to understand more about Jesus, even though there are still things he is missing. And the one thing that seems clear to him is that Jesus is sad about what is about to happen.
Meanwhile, the other disciples set out for Mark’s house on their own or in pairs. As each of them walks through Jerusalem, he sees things that trigger memories, which appear in black and white:
Simon Z sees the blood of a lamb pooling on the ground and is reminded of a time when he and some other Zealots were holed up as Romans attempted to barge in. Z sends his comrades out the back to escape, intent on dying in battle with the Romans in order to buy them time. Instead, the Romans circle around the back themselves, find his comrades and kill them, then leave, assuming that their work is done. Z is left to grieve his fallen brothers.
Nathanael sees a woman selling a seven-stringed Greek lyre and is reminded of a time when he was studying for his architecture exams. As he begins to crack under the weight of the pressure, he hears the song of a lyre from a synagogue next door. Rising, he listens to a woman singing Psalm 130 and finds peace. He then receives a letter from Phillip, who is out helping John prepare the way but misses him. Philip urges him to keep up his studies, trusting that he will one day help build a road for the coming King. Back in the present, Nathanael sees the Temple and is encouraged.
Andrew and Philip are walking through the city when Roman soldiers tell them to move and make straight the way for the litter of a Roman elite. They think back to Andrew’s first trip with the disciples of John the Baptizer. When John finds some Romans uprooting trees to make a road for an important person, John denounces them for defacing the sacred land and displacing its citizens. He insists that he too is making a straight way, for one whose sandals he is unworthy to untie (Luke 3:16). He warns the Roman that the axe is now laid at the root of the tree and that any who doesn’t bear good fruit will be cut down (Luke 3:9). Though the soldier tries to dismiss him for speaking in riddles, John warns him that he must stop extorting money and be content with his wages (Luke 3:14). As they continue Andrew tells Philip that he needs to get back to fishing to pay their taxes, but Philip dismisses the idea of taxes as a human construct that doesn’t mean anything now that the Messiah is near. When Andrew insists that he’s too hungry to think about such things, Philip offers him some honey locusts to enjoy (Mark 1:6).
Thomas sees a water jar fall and break and recalls his last moment with his father. We learn Thomas’ father and uncles went to a man who owed them money and things got out of hand and Thomas’ father apparently killed someone. As he’s sharing, Roman soldiers barge in, knocking over a water jar, and drag him off, as he assures Thomas that he loves him and urges him to care for his mother.
Matthew passes a large tax booth and sees someone spit in the face of a tax collector and recalls how the same thing happened to him on his first day on the job. Though he asks Gaius for help, the centurion insists that he only gets involved when an actual threat is made. Of course, the spit is no small problem for the fastidious young Matthew, but Gaius insists that this is part of the deal that he has accepted. When a client actually does threaten Matthew, however, Gaius shoos him off and explains to Matthew that he will need a driver to smuggle him back and forth to the tax booth to avoid being attacked. Gaius has arranged this for today. Matthew thanks him, expressing frustration over how he feels different and misunderstood. Gaius acknowledges this but avoids promising him any special help.
Little James passes by a Temple choir singing and recalls his graduation from cantor school. As his teacher hands out certificates, he asks each student where he intends to go and is taken aback when James insists that he will go join the 288 in Jerusalem. Taking him aside, the teacher explains that James’ dream won’t be possible, since the prohibitions forbidding men with a physical deformity or disability from joining the priesthood (Leviticus 2:18) are now also applied to public Temple workers like choir singers. He urges Little James to take a position in another city like Bethany, but James refuses to give up on his dreams and sets out for Jerusalem. As he travels, James is unable to make a fire and has to curl up in his cloak on the forest floor – until Thaddeus appears, checking to see if he is a dead body. Jesus appears as well and, starting a fire, asks Little James to tell him his story.
Later, we see that almost all of the disciples have arrived in the Upper Room. John anxiously watches Roman soldiers approach the home and they all duck, but the soldiers continue. Realizing that Thaddeus is missing, however, the disciples worry about what’s taking him so long.
Judas in The Chosen Season 5 Episode 7
Returning from his meeting with Caiaphas, Judas runs into his sister, Devorah, who is in Jerusalem for the Passover. She reveals that she was part of the crowd greeting Jesus with songs and palms and congratulates her brother for finally being right about something. Though Judas is unable to join her for Seder or reveal the location of where he will be, Devorah understands and expresses hope that the prophecies may be fulfilled that night. Noticing his worry, she sympathizes with how there must be a lot happening and urges him to do what he has to do, ironically noting that because of him, the name of the Iscariots will never be forgotten.
The Chosen Season 5 Episode 7 Review
I’ll be honest: I found Episode 7 to be the weakest installment of The Chosen Season 5, for one main reason:
The Disciple Flashbacks:
I know I’ve been complaining that we haven’t gotten enough from the POV of the disciples this season, but the disciple flashbacks were not the right solution. I understand the theory behind what The Chosen is doing. Sometimes, leading up to the climactic finale of a show, characters will receive a quiet moment where they can reflect on their past, gain insight or encouragement, and prepare to face the final challenge. But for this sort of thing to be done well, the memory needs to be relevant to what the character has been going through and the challenge that lies ahead. Unfortunately, most of the flashbacks in Episode 7 felt completely disconnected from what’s happened so far in Season 5 and from what lies ahead. That is to say, they felt like extraneous biographical digressions that won’t really matter in the long run. Slowing down during the penultimate episode of the season to spend time on a bunch of drawn-out, unnecessary sequences was a big mistake. And having this happen two-thirds of the way through a three hour theatrical event only made it more difficult.
The sheer number of flashbacks all packed into one episode (and the intro to Episode 8) was part of the problem. A couple flashbacks wouldn’t have been bad – and it also would have been easier to make them relevant to the story of Season 5. Or, if it was really important to include flashbacks from all of the minor disciples, the show could have sprinkled them over the course of the entire season, instead of concentrating them in a single episode.
Although some flashbacks were inherently interesting (Simon Z, Andrew and Philip, Little James), even these dragged on too long. Others could have been cut entirely. Nathanael’s flashback felt bland. And, as much as I like to see Kirk Woller as Gaius, the Matthew flashback felt like a total retread of things we already knew.
I know some readers who are fans of specific minor characters will love these moments. But the time spent on these sequences could have been much better spent on developing actual stories for the show’s main characters. For example, the show could have done a little more to set up Peter’s resistance to having Jesus wash his feet.
Other Issues:
The worry over Thaddeus’ late arrival felt like another contrived cliffhanger, not the kind of moment the penultimate episode should have hung on.
I kind of wish the show had given Mark a little more to do, other than being eager and earnest.
Kafni’s men serve a pretty limited functional role. If it’s such an issue that they are following the disciples, it seems like we should have gotten a sequence where the disciples had to work hard to evade them. Having the disciples walking about the city, carefree, diminished the threat.
I don’t just want to hate on Episode 7. There were a few things that I really liked:
The Footwashing: The actors did a great job of conveying the sense of awkwardness and embarrassment that the disciples would have felt. Judas’ struggle is particularly strong. The exchange between Jesus and Peter is also spot on, and I like how Peter does indeed get to take over after he finally lets Jesus wash his feet. The show also hints at the theological/spiritual implications of the moment, without getting bogged down in laying out the analogy. Overall, this is one of the more successful cold opens from this season – behind the Dayenu.
Mark’s Vision: At first I wasn’t sure what I thought about the decision to have Mark motivated by a vision. The biblical account doesn’t explain why the owner of the house welcomes Jesus and one could think of other explanations (e.g. he was healed by Jesus in the past). But Mark’s eagerness to fulfill the details of the vision he received seems to be evoking how God called Moses to be careful to construct the tabernacle according to the vision of its pattern that he received (Exodus 25:9, 40). Since the Last Supper inaugurates the new covenant in the new temple (the church), this connection seems quite fitting.
Judas and Devorah: Judas’ final encounter with his sister was painfully ironic and really amplified his decision to continue.
John vs. Peter: Episode 7 did a great job of contrasting the two chief leaders among the disciples. Their distinct personalities provide a helpful frame for understanding the difference between Peter’s Gospel (aka the Gospel of Mark) and John’s.
The Disciple Flashbacks: Like I said above, I did enjoy some of the flashbacks. The irony of Simon Z’s was painful. Getting to see David Amito as John the Baptist again was great. And Little James’ story was affecting.
Episode 7 was a missed opportunity, but it wasn’t catastrophic. Indeed, I imagine many die-hard fans of the show won’t have any problems with the episode – particularly once they can watch it on its own and in the middle of a three-hour sitting. But it will not be among my favorite episodes of The Chosen.
Key Themes of The Chosen Season 5 Episode 7
Again, I’ll be updating this post later with my thoughts on the key themes of the episode. A couple I’ll probably highlight:
Human Vulnerability
Servant Leadership
Trust and Obedience
What did you think about Episode 5 of The Chosen Season 7? I’d love to hear your reactions, questions, and theories in the comments below. Also be sure to check back soon for more content!
Supporting The Bible Artist
Have my resources helped you explore and enjoy The Chosen? My resources are used by thousands of Christians like you, as well as church communities and ministries across the globe. You can help my work continue through one-time gift or recurring support*.
*Members who contribute $5/monthly or $50/annually receive access to exclusive content, including monthly blogs and pdf versions of my Bible study/discussion guides, as well as free gifts and other perks.
