An 'Alex Trebek' New Testament Quiz -- #12

Answer: Who is John?

John, traditionally believed to be the John who was one of the original Twelve Disciples, had a vision on the island of Patmos in which he saw a vision involving a New Jerusalem. The vision is documented in Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. John at the time was elderly and had been exiled to Patmos, a windswept island in the Aegean Sea.

Answer: Who is Lazarus?

Lazarus was buried in a cave at Bethany with a rock placed at its mouth, according to John 11:38. Even though Lazarus had been dead for four days, Scripture tells of Jesus miraculously bringing him back to life. Lazarus and his two sisters Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus. The miracle took place in Bethany, a small village just outside of Jerusalem.

According to Luke 24:57, it was at Bethany that Christ ascended to heaven after His resurrection.

Answer: What is 'What is truth?'

In John 18:38 in the NKJV, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, is quoted as asking Jesus, "What is truth?" Pilate asked the question just after Jesus proclaimed, "I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Scripture goes on to tell of Pilate attempting to release Jesus, but an unruly mob would have none of it. In fact, the mob threatened Pilate with the wrath of the Emperor if Jesus was set free.

A short while later, Jesus would be sentenced to death by crucifixion. However, three days later He would triumphantly rise from the dead, as documented in all four Gospels.

Answer: What is Mark?

The Gospel of Mark contains details about an unnamed naked man fleeing after the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mark 14:51, in the NKJV, tells of a "certain young man" having a "linen cloth thrown around his naked body." When others attempted to hold the man at the scene of Christ's arrest, he fled naked, according to Verse 52.

Some commentaries I have read over the years suggest the man who fled naked was actually Mark, also known as John Mark, the writer of the Gospel. The thinking goes that with the details found in only Mark, how else would he have known about this incident? And another important question: Why would he have included the incident in his account?

Also supporting the belief the young man was Mark is the fact it is believed the Last Supper was held at the house of Mark's mother Mary, and it would have made sense for him to go to the Garden of Gethsemane later that evening.

However, it must be stressed no one knows for certain the identity of the young man.

In conclusion, the actions of the young man who fled naked from the scene of Christ's arrest is typical of what happened that night as Verse 50 states, "they all forsook Him and fled."

Answer: Who are chief priests and the scribes?

Spies were sent by the chief priests and the scribes in an attempt to trap Jesus, as per Luke 20:19-20. Verse 19 in the NKJV states they "sought to lay hands on Him" but they were fearful of the people, as many of them were ardent supporters. Verse 20 goes on to tell of spies being sent "who pretended to be righteous".

Their actions would lead up to the eventual betrayal and arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, followed by His crucifixion. However, all four Gospels tell of Christ triumphantly rising from the dead three days later.

Answer: Who is Crispus?

Acts 18:8 in the NKJV tells of Crispus, the ruler of a synagogue in Corinth, becoming a follower of Christ along with "all his household." As a result of the conversion of Crispus, Scripture states "many of the Corinthians" became believers and were baptized.

Little is known about Crispus as he is mentioned in only Acts 18:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:14. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, simply states in 1 Corinthians 1:14 that he baptized Crispus.

Answer: What is purple?

Mark 15:7 and John 19:2 tell of Roman soldiers clothing Jesus in a purple robe and twisting together a crown of thorns and putting it on His head. In Biblical times, purple robes were worn by royalty and the rich and powerful. However, in this case, Jesus was clothed in purple to humiliate Him.

In other words, the message was He wasn't the King of anything as He was taken to Golgotha to be crucified with two thieves.

Answer: Who is Aquila?

Aquila, the husband of Priscilla, was ordered to leave Italy by Claudius because he was a Jew. Acts 18:1-4 tells of Aquila and his wife Priscilla meeting up with the apostle Paul in Corinth. Aquila and Priscilla would become key members of the early church. In Romans 16:3, Paul writes that the husband-wife team "risked their necks" for him, but no details are provided.

I find it interesting Aquila, Priscilla and Paul were all tentmakers.

Answer: Who is Anna?

Anna is described as a prophetess in Luke 2:36 in the NKJV. Scripture tells of Jesus being presented as an infant at the temple by his parents with Anna giving thanks to the Lord and speaking "of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem." According to Luke 2:37, states Anna "did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."

For the record, the account of Anna is found in only the Gospel of Luke.

Answer: Who is Blastus?

Blastus was a personal aide to Herod, as per Acts 12:20 in the NKJV. (In the NIV it states Blastus was a "trusted personal servant of the king.")

According to Scripture, the people of Tyre and Sidon were successful in arranging a meeting with Herod through Blastus.

A short time later, Herod would be dead. According to Acts 12:22, while Herod was speaking at the meeting, people shouted, "the voice of a god, not of a man!". While Herod was enjoying the adulation, Scripture states an angel struck Herod because he did not give glory to God and then he was "eaten by worms and died."

This is the only incident in which Blastus is mentioned in the Bible.