A Quick Look at Occupations in the New Testament Quiz

Answer: Carpenter

Joseph, the husband of Mary who gave birth to Jesus while still a virgin, was a carpenter, according to Scripture. Not much is known about Joseph, and his occupation as a carpenter is mentioned in passing reference in Scripture. Matthew 13 tells of people in Jesus' hometown talking about him. Verse 55, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?" It's from this verse we know Joseph was a carpenter.

Answer: Fisherman

Andrew, similar to his brother Peter, was a fisherman. According to Scripture, James and John were also fishermen.

It is possible other disciples were fishermen, but there is no documentation for this in Scripture.

Andrew and Peter came from Bethsaida, which, according to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, means 'Fish Town'. John 1:44 states Philip also came from Bethsaida, leading many to believe he was also a fisherman.

Answer: Tax collector

Zaccheaus, of course, was the chief tax collector of Jericho. He might have held down a big position, but he was a small man. In fact, Scripture states he was so short he had to climb a sycamore-fig tree to get a better view of Jesus, as per Luke 19:3-4. At least one of Jesus' Twelve Disciples, Matthew, also known as Levi, served as a tax collector.

Answer: Tanner

Not much is known about Simon as he is mentioned in passing reference. His name is mentioned three times and in each reference he is referred to as a tanner. It was at Simon the Tanner's home that Peter was staying when Cornelius invited the disciple to visit him and his group of Gentile believers, as per Acts 10. According to Scripture, Peter was also hosted by Simon after he raised Dorcas from the dead, as per Acts 9:36-43.

Incidentally, Simon is the only person listed in the entire Bible as someone working as a tanner.

Answer: Tentmaker

Aquila was a tentmaker, also an occupation of Paul. Aquila's tentmaking trade is mentioned in passing reference and no details are known. Acts 18:1-3, in the NKJV Bible, states: "After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers." This is the only passage in which the occupation of tentmaker appears in the entire Bible.

Answer: High priest

Caiaphas was the high priest during the time of Jesus. In other words, he was the head of the Pharisees. According to the Gospels, Caiaphas was strongly opposed to Jesus, and in John 18:14 made the statement it was expedient that one man should die for the people. As a result, Jesus' fate was sealed and He was turned over to the Romans to be crucified.

However, all four Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- report Christ rose from the dead three days after the crucifixion.

According to Wikipedia, Caiaphas means "he that seeks with diligence, a searcher."

Answer: Centurion

Cornelius, one of the first Gentile believers in a resurrected Jesus Christ, was a centurion. The story of Cornelius and his group of Gentile believers can be found in the 10th chapter of Acts. The chapter tells of Peter meeting with Cornelius and his group and baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ. Centurions were the elite of the Roman army, seen by historians as part of a ruthless killing machine.

However, centurions are generally looked upon favorably in the New Testament.

Answer: Governor

Felix was a Roman governor. 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 NKJV Bible states things this way: "Now as he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, 'Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.'

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

Answer: Merchant

Lydia, of course, was a seller of purple cloth (Acts 16:14-15). She was the first reported convert to Christianity in Europe. Incidentally, purple in Biblical times was associated with royalty and kingship. As a result, many theologians believe Lydia was a well-to-do businesswoman.

Answer: Coppersmith

Alexander was a copperworker but not much else is known about him. (In the NIV, he is described as a metalworker.) In 2 Timothy 4:14, Paul writes Alexander the coppersmith had done "a great deal of harm" to him. There is some speculation it could be the same Alexander that is mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20.

In that verse, Paul tells of Hymenaeus and Alexander being "handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme."