In the TV series The Chosen, the disciple Matthew is intentionally portrayed as being on the autism spectrum. This creative, modern interpretation highlights his attention to detail, social awkwardness, and intellectual focus, aimed at showing Jesus’s inclusive, compassionate ministry to all, rather than a direct, documented biblical fact.

Who in the Bible was autistic?

Interestingly, Goliath probably suffered from acromegaly. We propose autism as a diagnosis for Samson which would precede the first known case of autism by centuries. Isaac was a diabetic, and he probably had autonomic neuropathy.

Which of the 12 disciples had a disability?

In the first season, there is a scene with one of the twelve disciples called Little James. Little James has a disability and is struggling with the fact that Jesus is healing all the people who come to Him (Matthew 12:15), but has not yet healed him when he is visibly disabled.

Who is the autistic disciple?

Although the Gospels give us relatively little information about who Matthew was or what his personality was like, The Chosen makes Matthew quite distinctive as a person with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome and a variety of accompanying tics and anxieties.

Why did The Chosen cast Matthew as autistic?

In The Chosen, Matthew is portrayed as autistic by creator Dallas Jenkins to humanize him, explain his social isolation as a tax collector, and highlight how Jesus welcomed him, aligning Matthew's traits (numbers focus, detail-oriented, outsider status) with characteristics of the autism spectrum, providing a relatable and inclusive narrative for modern audiences. This choice allows the show to explore themes of belonging and neurodiversity within faith, showing Jesus valuing diverse minds.
 

Matthew explains autism to Philip [The Chosen]

Who was neurodivergent in the Bible?

In today's language, Paul's conversion story would likely be understood as a sort of neurodivergence. Also, Moses had a speech impediment.

What does God say about autism?

While the Bible doesn't mention "autism" directly (as it's a modern term), religious perspectives emphasize that people with autism are created in God's image, are fearfully and wonderfully made, and have unique purposes, with their differences highlighting God's diverse design for humanity, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12's body of Christ analogy, where all parts are needed, and in verses showing God's focus on the heart, not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). Faith traditions generally view autism as part of God's plan, not a curse, offering guidance and strength for individuals and families through His love and support.

Which disciple had ADHD?

It has been even hypothesized, from descriptions of his disruptive behavior as recorded in the Scriptures that the Apostle Peter might have suffered from ADHD[26].

Which apostle left The Chosen?

But after playing Philip for two seasons, Yoshi Barrigas opted to leave The Chosen and has since been replaced by actor Reza Diakos. Read full article on The Direct.

Who is the most famous autistic person ever?

There isn't one single "most famous" autistic person, as fame varies, but Albert Einstein is widely speculated to have been autistic and is arguably the most historically renowned, known for changing physics. Other highly famous figures who are publicly known to be on the autism spectrum or have strong indicators include Temple Grandin, a renowned animal scientist, and actor Dan Aykroyd, known for Ghostbusters.
 

Who in the Bible had schizophrenia?

Ezekiel the Schizophrenic? More than any other Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel's eccentric—at times bizarre—visions and behaviours have inspired posthumous speculation about his psychological state. Catalepsy, seizures, hysteria—all of these and more have been proposed as after-the-fact diagnoses.

What was King David's mental illness?

Overall, King David's mental state indicates that he was afflicted by some kind of a mental condition. Among the many disorders which could have affected the King, major depressive episode, minor depression or dysthymic disorder are the most likely. Of these, major depressive disorder provides the best explanation.

Which disciple was black in the Bible?

Apostle Paul was seen as black African Acts 21:38. He was ordained by africans too, Acts 13:1-3.

Which apostle was cut in half?

The apostle traditionally said to have been sawed in half is Simon the Zealot, also known as Simon the Cananaean, with tradition holding he was martyred by being sawn apart, often depicted in art with a saw as his attribute. He is believed to have preached in Persia alongside St. Jude and suffered this gruesome death there, though some traditions place his martyrdom in other locations like Britain.

Which apostle was boiled in oil?

John was banished by the Roman authorities to the Greek island of Patmos, where, according to tradition, he wrote the Book of Revelation. According to Tertullian (in The Prescription of Heretics) John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it.

What is the 10 second rule for autism?

Pauses give your autistic pupils processing time. As a general rule, give at least 10 seconds. More or less time may be needed dependant on: the pupil.

Can you be a pastor if you have autism?

Yes, it's exhausting and yes, it involves facing challenges that most other pastors will not face, but autism is deeply connected to my call to ministry. I have autism to thank for my ability to take the same old, old stories and help others see them differently.

Is autism linked to genius?

In conclusion, while there is no clear-cut answer to the question of whether someone with autism can be a genius, it is certainly possible. Autism does not determine intelligence or lack thereof, and many autistic individuals have made significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

What illness did Matthew have?

When we chose to make tax collector Matthew one of The Chosen's main characters, two incredibly important decisions were made: one, to portray Matthew as having Asperger's Syndrome; and two, to cast Paras Patel to play him. The results have humanized Matthew and drawn audiences to him beyond our expectations.

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