"The Rock on Which It Is Built" is the fourth episode of season 1 of The Chosen.
With his life and family under threat from Rome, Simon spends one last night fishing in a desperate attempt to square his debts. Andrew spots a familiar face waiting for them on the shores of Galilee.
This episode provides examples of:
- Crisis of Faith: Simon attempts to stave off ruin by fishing all night. His utterances about the history of Israel while alone on the boat drive home his inner turmoil.
- Cruel to Be Kind: The Roman guard says that cutting Simon's ear is a kindness (compared to what Quintus will do when he learns of Simon's betrayal).
- Darkest Hour: Simon admits that he needs a miracle to pay his debts. After a completely unproductive night fishing with Andrew, James, John, and Zebedee, he decides to head to shore to meet his fate, and tells Andrew to make sure his wife Eden is safe.
- Jerkass God: Simon accuses God of this during his Crisis of Faith.Simon: You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you enjoy yanking us around like goats and can't decide whether we're chosen or not.
- Jewish Complaining: Quintus tells Matthew that the Jewish people want to be ruled, because they want an excuse to complain.
- Make It Look Like an Accident: A non-lethal example where Simon directs the Roman guards into a sandbar, and blames their poor nautical skills.
- Snakes Are Sinister: John the Baptizer calls the pharisees snakes, which most of them consider worse than his other activities.
