What The Chosen Gets Right (And Wrong): Archaeology, Pharisees, and Color (Jeffrey Garcia) Ep. #225

Nov 6, 2025

Dr. Jeffrey Arroyo García, an archaeologist specializing in first-century Judaism, shares insights from his excavations at El-Araj, believed to be biblical Bethsaida. He discusses how archaeological findings reshape our understanding of the Gospels. Jeffrey critiques the portrayal of Pharisees in The Chosen, pointing out visual 'othering' through color choices that echo harmful anti-Jewish stereotypes. He emphasizes the importance of nuanced depictions of Pharisees and how they relate to historical and modern interpretations of Judaism.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Pharisees Were Present In The Galilee

Archaeology and texts show Pharisees were present across Galilee, not just Jerusalem.
First-century Jewish life was regionally connected rather than isolated spheres.

ANECDOTE

How El-Araj Became A Dig Site

A local fisherman noticed monumental remains at El-Araj and proposed it as Bethsaida.
That tip led to surveys and eventual full excavation seasons beginning after 2015.

ANECDOTE

Crusader Layer And Preserve Helped Dig

The dig's topmost layer exposed a Crusader-era sugar factory with large reconstructed jugs.
El-Araj's status as a nature preserve left fewer later layers, simplifying the stratigraphy.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Was Peter’s hometown ever really lost—and have we just found it?

In this episode, archaeologist and scholar Dr. Jeffrey Arroyo García joins Dru Johnson to explore how archaeology reshapes our understanding of the Gospels, popular media like The Chosen, and the portrayal of first-century Judaism. Drawing on his years excavating at El-Araj—the site increasingly believed to be biblical Bethsaida—Jeff walks us through how ancient inscriptions, Crusader-era churches, and Roman bathhouses reveal the story beneath the shoreline.

But the episode takes a provocative turn when they discuss the show The Chosen. Jeff praises its storytelling and vibrancy but calls attention to a visual pattern with troubling roots: “The Pharisees are generally in black… And when they come into contact with Jesus… they wear lighter colors.” He explains how this “othering” of Pharisees—even subtly—echoes centuries of Christian anti-Jewish tropes.
The conversation is honest, layered, and generous—balancing artistic license with historical clarity. “If you are interested in Jesus or a follower of Jesus,” Jeff warns, “then you can’t be a Pharisee—just from clothing alone.”

We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:
https://hebraicthought.org/give

For more articles:
https://thebiblicalmind.org/

Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought

Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought

X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

Chapters:
00:00 Exploring Archaeology and the Galilee
02:48 Pharisees and Their Presence in Galilee
05:40 The Search for Bethsaida
08:48 Significant Discoveries at El-Araj
11:30 Cultural Context and New Testament Insights
14:21 The Chosen: Storytelling and Historical Accuracy
17:31 Creative Speculation in Biblical Portrayals
20:37 The Role of Pharisees in the New Testament
23:23 Touring Israel: Insights and Experiences