Word Association -- New Testament Characters #3 Quiz

Answer: Peter

Out of the Twelve Disciples, Peter is the only one reported to be married. We know Peter, also known as Simon, was married because Scripture says Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Luke 4:38-39, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house.

But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them." However, no name is given for Peter's mother-in-law.

Answer: Lois

Lois is the correct answer. According to Scripture, she was the grandmother of Timothy, a worker in the early church. 2 Timothy 1:5, in the NKJV, states: "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."

Answer: John the Baptist

According to Scripture, Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist. Scripture states Zechariah was a priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, as per Luke 1:5. Luke 1:11-25 tells of the angel Gabriel appearing before Zechariah and telling him of the upcoming birth of their son.

When Zechariah doubted Gabriel's claims, he was rendered speechless as per Luke 1:20. After the baby was born, Zechariah wrote on a tablet that the infant was to be called John and, according to verse 64, "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God."

Answer: Felix

Felix was the Roman governor of Judea who was replaced by Festus and kept Paul imprisoned in Caesarea for two years, as per Acts 24:27.

The 24th chapter of Acts is devoted to the trial of Paul before Felix with charges against him levied by the high priest Ananias. Arguing the case on behalf of Ananias and some of the elders was a lawyer named Tertullus. Paul appeared to be scoring major points in the trial. Acts 24:25, in the NIV Bible states things this way: "As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'"

It was all for naught, however, as Acts 24:27 states Felix wanted to grant a "favor to the Jews" and left Paul in prison for two more years.

Answer: Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate is the correct answer. According to Scripture, Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor and saw no valid reason to have Jesus crucified, but he gave into the demands of a crowd. To indicate his opposition, Pontius Pilate washed his hands in water in front of the crowd, but agreed to have Jesus crucified.

Matthew 27:20-25, in the NKJV, explains things this way: "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor [Pontius Pilate] answered and said to them, 'Which of the two do you want me to release to you?' They said, 'Barabbas!' Pilate said to them, 'What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said to him, 'Let Him be crucified!' Then the governor said, 'Why, what evil has He done?' But they cried out all the more, saying, 'Let Him be crucified!' When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.' And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and on our children.'"

Answer: Herodias

There is no doubt the word 'macabre' is associated with Herodias. After all, she's the one who connived to have John the Baptist beheaded with his head put on a platter.

Matthew 14:6-12 reports Herod hosted a lavish birthday party for himself and when the daughter of his wife Herodias danced at the reception, Herod was so pleased he told the girl he would give her whatever she asked for. Verse 9, in the NIV Bible, states: "Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist'."

Verse 11 goes on to tell of this macabre scene: "His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother."

Herodias was not only conniving, but extremely vindictive. When she left her first husband (Herod Phillip I) and married his half brother Herod Antipas, John the Baptist was disgusted and denounced the union, according to the 14th chapter of Matthew. As a result, Herod ordered the arrest of John the Baptist and from this point on, his fate was sealed as Herodias had him in her evil clutches.

Answer: Demetrius

In Ephesus a mob was incited against the apostle Paul by Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines dedicated to the goddess Artemis. According to Acts 19:23-41, Demetrius lived in Ephesus and he made things extremely interesting when he caused a "great disturbance." Two of Paul's traveling companions were ushered into a theater and so great was the anger of the assembled people they shouted "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" for about two hours, Scripture states. According to verse 35, the city clerk eventually quieted down the crowd and the riot came to an end.

The city clerk had to be charismatic, wise and held in high respect by the people to bring a peaceful conclusion to the situation.

Answer: Publius

According to Acts 28:7, this Publius was the chief official of Malta and he welcomed Paul and his group into his home after they were shipwrecked and entertained them for three days. Luke, the writer of Acts, is short on details, but writes Publius "welcomed us into his home and for three days entertained us hospitably." This is the only time Publius is mentioned in the Bible.

According to Acts 28:8, the chief official's father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Scripture states Paul went to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.

Answer: John

John is the correct answer. Revelation 1:9 states John was in exile on Patmos when the last book of the Bible was written. Verse 9 states: "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." What follows this verse is Scripture that has captivated and perplexed Christians for centuries. Patmos is in the Aegean Sea and is part of Greece.

Answer: Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene is the correct answer. Mark 16:9, as well as Luke 8:2, state Jesus had driven seven demons out of Mary. However, no details are given with the verses simply stating the demons had been driven out previously.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state only Mark 16:9 and Luke 8:2 make reference to Jesus driving seven demons out of Mary "which would explain her strong devotion to Him."