A Common Link Between Biblical Characters [6] Quiz

Answer: Two names for one of the 12 disciples.

Matthew and Levi are the names of one of Jesus' 12 disciples. The name Matthew is used in the Gospels of Matthew and John while the name Levi is used in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state: "His given name was probably Levi, and Matthew (gift of the LORD) his apostolic name." Before his calling, he was a tax collector.

Answer: Two characters in a parable told by Jesus.

The pharisee and the tax collector are two unnamed characters mentioned in a parable of Jesus that appears only in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:9-14). In the parable, the pharisee and the tax collector are in a temple praying to God. In his prayer, the pharisee thanks God for the fact he is a good man, due to the fact he fasts twice a week and gives ten per cent of all he gets.

The tax collector, however, bows his head in shame and beats his chest and prays God will have mercy on him because he is a sinner. According to the parable, the tax collector went home "justified before God." In verse 18, in the NIV Bible, Jesus concludes the parable by stating: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Answer: Two people listed by Paul in his greetings in Romans 16.

Yes, Epenetus and Phiologus are two of a number of people who are listed in chapter 16 of Romans. The chapter is largely a long list of personal greetings Paul sends to believers in Rome. The chapter is seen by many today as a tribute to the common "Joe Christians" and "Jane Christians."

Answer: Two people whom Jesus appeared before, prior to his crucifixion.

Yes, Jesus appeared before both Caiaphas the high priest and Pontius Pilate prior to being sentenced to die by crucifixion. The accounts of Jesus appearing before the two officials can be found in the 26th and 27th chapters of Matthew, the 14th and 15th chapters of Mark, the 22nd and 23rd chapters of Luke and the 18th and 19th chapters of John.

In each Gospel, the following chapters tell of Christ's crucifixion and his resurrection.

Answer: Two people who served with Paul and are mentioned in Philippians 2:19-30.

Yes Timothy and Epaphroditus are two workers who served with Paul on his missionary journeys. The two workers are both referred to in glowing terms in Philippians 2:19-30.

Answer: Two people Paul sent to report to the church in Colosse.

Yes, Onesimus and Tychicus are two people who Paul sent to report to the church at Colosse, as per Colossians 4:7-9. Onesimus was a run-away slave who belonged to Philemon, the leader of the church at Colosse. Onesimus had left Colosse for Rome and ended up meeting Paul, who converted him to Christianity.

In turn, Paul wrote the book of Philemon, urging Onesimus' master to accept him back, not as a slave, but as an equal in Christ. Tychicus accompanied Onesimus on the journey back to Colosse from Rome.

Answer: Two workers with Paul and the church worker they took under their wings.

Priscilla and Aquila were workers in the early church and they are credited with taking Apollos under their wings, making sure he had a sound grasp of the Gospel message. The account of Priscilla and Aquila tutoring Apollos can be found in Acts 18:24-28.

Answer: Three women who went to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body.

According to Mark 16:1, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome took spices to the tomb in which Jesus was contained so they could anoint his body. When they got to the tomb, the three women were astonished because the stone was rolled away from the entrance and there was no body inside. Mark 16:5-7 in the NIV Bible states: "As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"

Answer: An apostle and the man who Scripture says did harm to him.

In 2 Timothy 4:14, Paul writes Alexander the metalworker did a "great deal of harm" to him, but specifics aren't given. Considering all the pain and suffering Paul endured, the story involving Alexander would surely make for gripping reading in a Christian magazine today. Notes in the NIV Study Bible suggest the Alexander in 2 Timothy, might possibly be the same Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:20.

In 1 Timothy 1:19, in the NIV Bible, Paul states Alexander had "rejected" the teachings and ended up "shipwrecking" his faith.

Answer: Two names for the apostle to the Gentiles.

Yes, Saul and Paul are the same person. Shortly after his his conversion on the road to Damascus, he was known as Saul. However, a turning point is Acts 13:9 where it states "Saul, also known as Paul." From this point on in the New Testament, he is always referred to as Paul. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state: "The names mean 'asked [of God]' and 'little' respectively.

It was customary to have a given name, in this case Saul (Hebrew-Jewish background), and a later name, in this case Paul (Roman Hellenistic) background."