A Quick Look: New Testament People & Their Towns Quiz

Answer: Unanmed town in Crete

Paul wrote the epistle that bears Titus' name while Titus was serving as a worker in the early church on the island of Crete. However, the exact location on Crete is not given.

In Titus 1:5 in the NKJV, Paul writes: "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -- if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination."

Answer: Unnamed town in Cyprus

Barnabas, a worker in the early church, was from the island of Cyprus. However, the exact location is not given in Scripture.

In Acts 4:34-37 in the NKJV, Luke writes: "Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Barnabas was an a highly-active worker in the early church, but surprisingly, his name can be only found in the Book of Acts.

Answer: Lystra

According to Scripture, Timothy was from Lystra, a city in present day Turkey.

Acts 16:1-2, in the NKJV, states: "Then he [Paul] came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium."

Timothy is known for being young and timid and a number of times, Paul affectionately refers to him as his son.

Answer: Jerusalem

After Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, He appeared before Pontius Pilate, the governor, then before Herod, before appearing once again before Pontius Pilate, as per Luke 23.

Eventually, Pontius Pilate gave in to the demands of a noisy crowd and ordered the crucifixion of Jesus. However, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all report Christ rose from the dead three days later. The world would never be the same.

Answer: Jericho

Zacchaeus, according to Scripture, was from Jericho where he served as the chief tax collector. He is the diminutive man climbed up a sycamore tree to get a better look at Jesus during His visit to Jericho.

Jericho is northeast of Jerusalem, near the Jordan River. According to Wikipedia, it is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.

When Jesus spotted the diminutive tax collector up in a tree, he said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." No doubt the response took Zacchaeus by complete surprise. After all, it's not every day a 'celebrity' passes through a community and states to a person he has never met before that he wants to spend the night at his house.

Answer: Cana

According to John 21:2, Nathanael came from Cana in Galilee, the same community in which Jesus turned water into wine. Nathanael was one of the twelve disciples and the first to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, as per John 1:49. He made the proclamation months, possibly years before Peter in Matthew 16:16. Most theologians believe Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person. When ever a list of disciples appears in the Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts, it mentions Bartholomew with no mention of Nathanael. However, John mentions Nathanael with no mention of Bartholomew.

Incidentally, it was in Cana where, according to John, Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine.

Answer: Bethsaida

According to John 1:44, Philip was from Bethsaida, a fishing community on the Sea of Galilee. The same verse states Peter and his brother also came from Bethsaida. The three men were members of Christ's Twelve Disciples.

John 1:45-51 states Philip recruited Nathanael to become a disciple.

Answer: Joppa

According to Acts 9:36, Tabitha, who was also known as Dorcas, resided in Joppa. Scripture states after Tabitha died, she was raised from the dead by Peter.

Joppa, now known as Jaffa, is in the southern section of Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Acts 9:39-42 gives this account in the NKJV of Peter raising Tabitha from the dead: "...They brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord."

Answer: Tarsus

Saul, who was later known as Paul, came from Tarsus, a city in present-day Turkey. In much of the 22nd chapter of Acts, Paul tells of his life before he became a Christian and after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Tarsus is in present day south-central Turkey.

In some circles today, the apostle to the Gentiles is known as 'Paul of Tarsus,' however, nowhere in the NKJV or NIV does it state Paul refers to himself as "Paul of Tarsus". In Acts 21:39, while addressing a crowd in Jerusalem, he states "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city." In Acts 22:3, Paul makes much the same statement. However, a drama by George Barber Paley in 1855 titled "Saul of Tarsus" changed things somewhat, with his birthplace being linked to his name. There's also a popular song titled "Saul of Tarsus" as well.

Answer: Bethlehem

According to Luke 2:4, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, although his parents were residing in Nazareth.

Luke 2:1-7 in the NKJV gives this account of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."