By Michaela Gordoni
THE CHOSEN’s Jonathan Roumie believes filming Jesus’ death was one of the most significant things he’s ever done in his life.
“This set wasn’t just lights and cameras for me. It was those freezing nights in almost nothing, the burning ache in my shoulder from carrying that beam over and over, the moment my mind couldn’t separate the acting from something far more real,” the Teddy Bear Award® winner wrote on X. “Filming Your crucifixion, Lord…it broke me wide open.”
The experience left him physically and emotionally drained, but he believes portraying Jesus’ death was one of the most important things he’s ever done.
“I offered every bit of that pain, every tear that fell, every tremble in my body as my small, imperfect ‘yes’ to You,” he continued. “What You did wasn’t a rehearsal or a scene. It was real love poured out to the very last breath — for me, for all of us.”
Related: How Jonathan Roumie Navigates Jesus’ Humanity and Divinity in THE CHOSEN
“If this little behind-the-scenes glimpse touches your heart even a little…just imagine the Father’s heart as He watched His Son hang there — for love. Jesus, thank You for not coming down. Thank You for staying,” he said.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life one’s friends.” (John 15:13) All glory to You alone,” he finished.
This set wasn’t just lights and cameras for me.
It was those freezing nights in almost nothing, the burning ache in my shoulder from carrying that beam over and over, the moment my mind couldn’t separate the acting from something far more real.
Filming Your crucifixion, Lord…… pic.twitter.com/E46Y6A1aaE— Jonathan Roumie (@jona440) March 5, 2026
After Roumie stepped into his role as Jesus, he commented on the perceived burden of having the role and its celebrity status.
“Life is a little bit different now. If there is any kind of perceived downside, celebrity for me is always something that I’m able to offer up because this is the greatest honor of my life,” he said, referring to playing Jesus.
In the first season of the show, Roumie felt he had to stop filming because he felt overwhelmed. He told director Dallas Jenkins that he didn’t feel worthy of saying the words Jesus did. Jenkins reminded him that none of us are worthy, but he was called for this role.
“I still have to remind myself at times that it’s okay, that I was chosen to do this. I’m in this position doing this particular show and not somebody else for whatever reason God has ordained me to it,” he said. “Every day, I am reminded of my humanity, which leads me to humility.”
If you’ve watched THE CHOSEN, there’s a high chance you’ll agree Roumie is perfect for his role. Few could do it better. The next season of the THE CHOSEN, Season 6, will come out this fall.
Read Next: Jonathan Roumie Brings Jesus to THE VIEW
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