"Shabbat" is the second episode of season 1 of The Chosen.
Matthew validates Simon's claims with Praetor Quintus, Nicodemus investigates the miracle reported in the Red Quarter, and Mary receives surprise guests at her Shabbat dinner.
This episode provides examples of:
- Authority Equals Asskicking: Gaius breaks up a conflict between two Jews, then tells Marcus, "Only one language keeps their peace."
- A Boy and His X: Before joining Jesus, Matthew's only companion besides his assigned guard is a stray dog he befriends when he's unable to share a Sabbath meal with his family due to being ostracized for working with the Romans. It's symbolic of his position in society, as dogs in that time and place were seen as vermin and something to avoid. Much like tax collectors.
- Contrast Montage: From Mary Magdalene's humble Shabbat dinner, we transition to other Shabbat dinners, including the relatively lavish one enjoyed by Nicodemus, and Matthew with a dog in an alley near his parents' home.
- Dehumanizing Insult: A Roman guard tells Gaius, "See to your dog," referring to Matthew.
- Didn't Think This Through: Gaius thinks this of Matthew's insistence on seeing Quintus about Simon's claims.Gaius: I'm going to wait outside for your replacement.
- Do Not Call Me "Paul": When Nicodemus finds Mary Magdalene, he calls her "Lilith", the name he heard when he attempted an exorcism in the previous episode. She insists on being called "Mary" now.
- Flashback: The episode opens with a Shabbat dinner in 948 BC.
- I Have No Son!: Matthew's father's response to him becoming a tax collector.
- Meaningful Rename: In the previous episode, only Jesus calls Mary Magdalene as "Mary". Everyone else referred to her as "Lilith" (or related nicknames). When we first see her in this episode, the hairdresser calls her "Mary".
- Necessary Fail: Mary sets an extra place for her Shabbat dinner, confusing the annual Passover seder for the weekly Shabbat dinner. When Jesus knocks at her door, she has a place at her table for him.
- Never Learned to Read: Averted with Mary Magdalene, whose father had taught her as a child. Barnaby, one of her guests for Shabbat dinner, is impressed.
- Running Gag: The first time Jesus' hometown is mentioned.Barnaby: Well, apparently something good can come from Nazareth.
