An 'Alex Trebek' New Testament Quiz -- #4

Answer: Who is Elizabeth?

Elizabeth, the wife of Zecharias, was the mother of John the Baptist. (In the NIV, Zecharias is known as Zechariah.) According to Luke 1, the birth of John the Baptist was a miracle as Elizabeth was elderly and had been unable to conceive all her life.

Answer: Who is Nathanael?

Bartholomew, one of the original Twelve Disciples, was also known as Nathanael. In Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts, he is referred to as Bartholomew. However, in John he is known as Nathanael.

John 1:43-51 tells of Philip recruiting Nathanael to become a disciple of Jesus. However, Nathanael was initially unimpressed about the report he heard about Jesus, asking Philip, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" After meeting Jesus, however, Nathanael would boldly proclaim Jesus to be the Son of God.

Answer: Who is Andrew?

Andrew was the son of Jonah. We know Jonah was his father as Jesus, in Matthew 16:17, refers to Simon, also known as Peter, as "Simon Bar-Jonah". (In other words, Jesus referred to Peter as the son of Jonah.) Andrew and Peter were brothers, of course. Andrew and Peter were both members of the original Twelve Disciples.

Answer: Who is Apollos?

Apollos was tutored by Priscilla and Aquila, as per Acts 18:24-28. The passage states Apollos was born in Alexandria and was "an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures." Apollos met up with Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, an ancient Greek city in present day Turkey.

Answer: Who is Susanna?

Susanna was one of a number of women who followed Jesus during His ministry. She is mentioned in passing reference with Mary Magdalene and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, as per Luke 8:2-3. The two verses state there were "many others who provided for Him from their substance", but no names are given.

This is the only passage in the Bible in which Susanna is mentioned by name. As a result, little is known about her.

Answer: Who is Malchus?

Malchus had his ear severed by Peter during the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Details can be found in Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:7, Luke 22:50 and John 18:10. Peter, one of the original Twelve Disciples, is identified as the man who severed the ear of Malchus in only John 18:10.

Luke 22:49-51 tells of Jesus miraculously restoring Malchus' ear. It must be pointed out, Malchus is not identified by name in Luke's Gospel. He is identified only in John.

Answer: Who is Joseph of Arimathea?

Joseph of Arimathea provided a tomb for Christ's body after the crucifixion. Details can be found in Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42. According to Matthew 27:57, Joseph was wealthy, with John 19:38 stating he was a secret disciple of Jesus. Meanwhile, John 19:39 states Joseph was accompanied by Nicodemus when Christ's body was placed in the tomb. Three days later, Christ would rise triumphantly from the dead.

Answer: Who is Mark?

Colossians 4:10 states Mark was the cousin of Barnabas. The two men were workers in the early church. Mark, who was also known as John Mark, was the writer of the second Gospel, which bears his name. His mother was Mary. Meanwhile, Barnabas came from Cyprus and was known for being an encouragement to others.

Answer: Who is Procorus?

Procorus was one of seven Grecian, or Hellenistic, Jews appointed as an elder in the early church, as per Acts 6:5. The six other men appointed were Stephen, Philip, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. According to Acts 6:1-7, the seven Grecian Jews were appointed because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, with the widows of Hebraic Jews being favored. Little is known about Procorus as his name appears in only Acts 6:5 and nowhere else in the Bible.

Answer: Who is Lydia?

Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth, as per Acts 16:11-15. The passage states Lydia was from Thyatira and Paul and his associates encountered her in Philippi. According to Verse 14, "the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message" of salvation through Christ. The passage goes on to tell of Lydia and the members of her household being baptized.