An 'Alex Trebek' New Testament Quiz -- #13

Answer: Who is Mary Magdalene?

Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Jesus after His resurrection, according to John 20:11-18. The passage tells of Mary informing the disciples about Christ's resurrection.

John 20 goes on to tell of Jesus appearing before the disciples in a locked room. Thomas, however, was not present and when he was told of Christ's resurrection he proclaimed he would not believe until he personally examined the wounds in His Hands and side. The chapter concludes with Christ appearing before the doubting disciple, with Thomas proclaiming, "My Lord and my God."

Answer: What is Luke?

The account of Jesus meeting with Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho, is found in only the Gospel of Luke. Zacchaeus was short in stature and Scripture tells of him climbing up a sycamore tree to get a better look at Jesus as He passed through town. For complete details, see Luke 19:1-10.

Answer: What is Bethsaida?

Bethsaida was one of three unrepentant cities Jesus announced a woe on, as per Matthew 11:20-24 and Luke 10:13-16 in the NKJV. The two other communities were Chorazin and Capernaum. (In the NIV, Chorazin appears as Korazin.) Bethsaida was a fishing community on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Bible commentaries state Chorazin was near the Sea of Galilee, probably about two miles north of Capernaum.

Answer: Who is Peter?

Peter drew a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane the night Jesus was arrested and severed the right ear of Malchus, as per John 18:10. Malchus was a servant of the high priest. Meanwhile, Luke 22:51 states that Jesus touched the servant's ear and healed him after it had been severed by Peter.

Answer: Who is Barnabas?

Barnabas is known for being an encouragement to others in the early church. However, another not so well known attribute is the fact he was a cheerful giver. Acts 4:37 tells of Barnabas selling a field he owned and donating the proceeds to the early church.

There is no record in Scripture of Publius, Apphia or Lois donating money to the early church, although it is highly likely. However, going strictly by Scripture, Barnabas is the only correct answer out of the four choices given.

Answer: Who is Pilate's wife?

Matthew 27:19 states Pilate's wife had a dream prior to Jesus appearing before the Roman governor and she told him to have nothing to do with that "just Man". The verse in the NKJV states: "While he [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.'"

The request made just prior to her husband giving in to the crowd and ordering the execution of Jesus. All four Gospels go on to tell of Jesus rising triumphantly from the dead after His crucifixion.

Answer: Who is John the Baptist?

The statement, "He must increase, but I must decrease," was made by John the Baptist, in John 3:30 in the NKJV. In other words, John was stating his ministry was coming to an end while Christ's ministry was about to take off.

According to Old Testament prophecy, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus. John's mission was to prepare the way for Christ.

Answer: Who is James?

James and his brother John were called Boanerges, which means 'Sons of Thunder', by Jesus. Mark 3:16-19, in the NKJV Bible, gives the names of the Twelve Disciples: "Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, 'Sons of Thunder'; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him."

Using the KJV, NKJV or the NIV, the term Boanerges, or 'Sons of Thunder', can be found in only this passage in Mark in the entire Bible.

Answer: What is 11?

Eleven disciples received what is known as the Great Commission from Jesus, as per Matthew 28:19-20. The NKJV quotes Jesus as telling His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It must be pointed out the Great Commission was given after the resurrection of Jesus and the death of Judas Iscariot who committed suicide. As a result, eleven disciples, not twelve, received the Great Commission.

Answer: What is 27?

Using Bible versions such as the KJV, NKJV and the NIV, there are twenty-seven books in the New Testament. In order of appearance, the books are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude and Revelation.