Cyprus in the Bible Trivia Quiz

Answer: Numbers

In Numbers 24: 23-24 Balaam says "Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish forever."
Chittim is the city of Kition (present day Larnaca) which lies on the southeastern coast of Cyprus. The city was established during the 13th century B.C. when copper exploration was flourishing. It was later settled by Phoenician merchants.

Answer: Tyre

In verse 2 of chapter 27 the Lord commands the prophet to "Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus".
Currently Tyre is part of Lebanon. The city was built by settlers that came from neighbouring Sidon and it is one of the oldest cities in the world.

Answer: Barnabas

Joses or Joseph the Levite was a Hellenized Jew who joined the early church and donated the proceeds of the sale of his land.
The full text of Acts 4:36-37 is "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Answer: Antioch

Antioch was built on the banks of the Orontes River by Seleucus I Nicator and was named in honour of his father Antiochus. The ruins of Antioch are very close to the city of Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey.
The text of Acts 11:19 is "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."

Answer: Salamis

Barnabas is considered the founder and patron Saint of the Church of Cyprus. His tomb is located not very far from the ruins of Salamis in a monastery dedicated to his name.
John Mark was cousin to Barnabas.
Acts 13: 4-5 reads: "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister."

Answer: Paphos

Salamis was the capital of Cyprus until 58 BC when the Romans conquered the island.
After the end of the Roman occupation the capital was moved in the Salamis area to a new city called Constantia.
Verse 6, chapter 13 of the Acts begins with 6 "And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos"

Answer: Sergius Paulus

Tradition states that Paul received 39 lashes. In Paphos one can visit the column of St. Paul where he received this punishment.
Acts 13: 6-7 "And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God."

Answer: Perga

Paul and Barnabas visited Perga twice during their Evangelical Journeys.
Acts 13:13 reads "Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem."
Perga was an ancient Greek city ruins of which can be seen near Antalya, Turkey.

Answer: No

There appeared to be an argument between Barnabas and Paul regarding John Mark. They split up company rather abruptly and not on very good terms.
Acts 15: 36-39 gives a very detailed explanation: "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus."
As far as we know, Paul never visited Cyprus again.

Answer: Mnason

Mnason was referred to as an old disciple, most probably one of the many than believed in the Lord during the miraculous Pentecost sermon. He was very happy to play host to Paul.
Acts 21: 16-17 describes this "There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly."