Forgive them, Father... Trivia Quiz

Answer: James (the Greater)

The martyrdom of James (the Greater) was the next recorded in the Bible after that of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Acts 12:1,2 - "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword."

Biblical scholars place the martyrdom of James, son of Zebedee, as circa 44-45 A.D.

Answer: Phillip

Dating of Phillip's martyrdom is inexact, just as the details of his death are not certain. Scholarly estimates put it between 51 and 54 A.D. Phillip's ministry took him primarily to Samaria, Turkey and Syria before his death.

Answer: James (the Lesser)

James, son of Alphaeus, had been appointed as the leader of the Christian Church in Jerusalem. That was a job rife with danger, being right in the city where Jesus had been killed.

Answer: No

According to Eusebius (a Roman historian whose writings recorded many of the apostles' deaths), Peter did not feel worthy to be killed in the same manner as his Master, and he insisted on being crucified upside down instead. Nero was the ruler of Rome at the time, which is estimated to have been circa 64 A.D.

Answer: Olive

Hippolytus of Rome, a 3rd century theologian, wrote of Andrew's death at the order of the local Roman governor, Aegaeas, when Andrew faced him and demanded that he cease persecuting Christians. Andrew was not nailed to the olive tree, but was tied to it. It took him over three days to die. The estimated year of Andrew's martyrdom is 70 A.D.

Answer: Ethiopia

Matthew's death is estimated at 70 A.D., occurring at Nad-Davar. Reportedly, Matthew was arrested while preaching in his church, where they killed him on the spot. Before Hytacus became King, the ruler of Ethiopia had been King Aeglippus, who had been much more supportive of Christianity.

Answer: Thomas

Thomas' death happened at Calamene, where he was then buried. His death is estimated as circa 70 A.D. Along the way to his mission to India he preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and Margians.

Answer: Bartholomew

While the manner of his death has differing reports, all agree that Nathanael/Bartholomew was martyred, circa 70 A.D. It was said that he was killed by the order of Astyages, the brother of King Polymius of Armenia, whom Bartholomew had reportedly converted to Christianity.

Answer: Judas Thaddaeus

The death of Judas Thaddaeus is estimated as being approximately 72 A.D. At one time, while Jesus still lived, the Bible records, "Judas said to him (not Iscariot), Lord, how is it that you will show yourself to us, and not unto the world?" (John 14:22). Scripture reports that he eventually saw that question answered when he witnessed Jesus' ascension into heaven.

Answer: Simon the Zealot

The conflicting reports put the time of Simon's death in question, from as early as 65 A.D. (for both Judas Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot together), to approximately 74 A.D. Simon became the leader of the Church at Jerusalem after James the Lesser.