Different Biblical Characters with Same Name Quiz

Answer: A character in a parable told by Jesus involving a rich man and a helpless beggar.

Yes, Lazarus was a character in a parable that appears in only the Gospel of Luke. Titled the Rich Man and Lazarus, the parable appears in Luke 16:19-31. In a nutshell, the rich man lived in the lap of luxury while Lazarus was so helpless, "even the dogs came and licked his sores". Scripture tells of Lazarus and the rich man dying, with Lazarus ending up by the side of Abraham and the rich man in a place of torment.

When the rich man requests that Lazarus come and dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, Abraham tells him this is not possible because there a "great chasm" and no one can cross over it.

As an aside, Birdman585, a teammate on the Bible Believers Brigade, has an interesting view on this parable. He believes Lazarus in the parable is a real person as this is the only parable in which Jesus attaches a name to one of the characters.

Answer: Simon

The correct answer is Simon, better known as Simon the sorcerer. His conversion can be found in Acts 8:9-25. According to Scripture, Simon dazzled people with his magic and he earned the nickname the Great Power. However, when the people of the region started believing in Philip's preaching of a resurrected Jesus, Simon himself believed and was baptized. Verse 13, in the NIV Bible, states Simon "followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw."

Answer: Mary Magdalene

Yes, Mary Magdalene is the correct answer. In Mark 16:9, it states Jesus drove seven demons out of her, but no further details are given. Without question, Mary is the most common female name in the New Testament.

Answer: A companion of Paul during his shipwreck off the coast of Malta.

Yes, there were three different men in the New Testament who shared the name Ananias and they are known for a variety of things. However, none of them was involved in Paul's shipwreck off the coast of Malta. Some interesting trivia: Although there are three different men with the name Ananias in the Bible, their accounts are listed in only Acts.

In other words, the name Ananias appears nowhere else in Scripture.

Answer: Ruler of the synagogue

Yes, Sosthenes was a ruler of the synagogue and according to Acts 18:17 he was savagely beaten in front of the court. The beating took place in front of Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, and according to verse 17, he showed "no concern whatever." If Sosthenes is the same person as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1, he obviously converted to Christianity.

Answer: The man Saul stayed with immediately after his conversion to Christianity.

The man Saul stayed with immediately after his conversion to Christianity is the correct answer. No details are given about Judas of Straight Street as he is only mentioned in passing reference. This is the only time a street is mentioned by a proper name in the NIV Bible. (While researching this issue, fellow teammate Rimrunner pointed out Numbers 20:17 refers to the king's highway and Isaiah 35:8 mentions a highway that will be called the Way of Holinesss. In the KJV, Jeremiah 37:21 mentions a baker's street. But, as Rimrunner pointed out, these are not proper names.)

Scripture states that for three days Saul was blind and did not eat or drink anything while at the home of Judas, as per Acts 9:9. When an emissary was sent to meet with him, however, scales fell from his eyes and he was able to see again. Scripture goes on to state Paul "got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength."

Answer: True

The correct answer is John, the one who is credited with writing five books in the New Testament. Although this is the traditional belief and the one I share, it must be stressed no one knows for certain as there is no smoking gun. A search on the Internet or at a public library shows scholars have different views on the matter.

Some suggest the "disciple Jesus loved" was actually Lazarus, who was raised from the dead at Bethany. Others say the disciple in question was an unnamed man who followed Christ in secret and some say it was Mary Magdalene. No doubt there are other theories.

In the Gospel of John, references to the disciple Jesus loved can be found at chapter 13, verse 23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7 and 21:20. Perhaps the best known reference is the one in Chapter 19 in which Jesus, while dying in agony on the cross, makes arrangements to take care of his mother Mary.

Answer: James the brother of Jesus

In Galatians 1:19, Paul states he met with James, the Lord's brother. Similar to a number of other common names in the New Testament, the name James does not appear in the Old Testament. According to Matthew 13:55, Jesus had three other brothers: Joseph, Simon and Judas.

Answer: Barnabas

The correct answer is Barnabas. According to Acts 4:36, Barnabas means "Son of Encouragement." Barnabas came from Cyprus and Scripture reports he was a Levite. His cousin was John, also called Mark.

Answer: The father of Judas

Yes, Simon Iscariot was the father of Judas. His name is mentioned in John 6:71. However, no details are given about the man. Simon's son, of course, would betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. According to Matthew 13:55, Jesus also had a brother named Simon. Although Simon is a common name in the New Testament, it is not found in the Old Testament.