Match These New Testament Characters -- #2 Quiz

Answer: Rendered speechless

Scripture states Zecharias was a priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, as per Luke 1:5. (In the NIV, he is known as Zechariah.) Luke 1:11-25 tells of the angel Gabriel appearing before Zecharias and telling him of the upcoming birth of their son, who would become John the Baptist.

When Zecharias doubts Gabriel's claims, he is rendered speechless as per Luke 1:20. After the baby is born, Zecharias writes on a tablet that the infant is to be called John and, according to Verse 64, "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke, praising God."

Answer: Tent maker

Aquila was a tent maker, an occupation shared by Paul, as per Acts 18:3. The two, of course, would go on to have much more in common than tent making. Aquila, along with his wife Priscilla, would play a key role in helping spread the Gospel in the early days of the church.

In Romans 16:4, Paul states Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for him and "all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful for them." However, no details are given as to what exactly Priscilla and Aquila did to risk their lives for Paul.

Answer: Lived in Bethany

Simon the Leper lived in Bethany, a community just outside Jerusalem that is well known in the New Testament as the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. Lazarus, of course, was raised from the dead by Jesus, as per John 11:38-44. According to Matthew 26:6-7, it was at the home of Simon the Leper that Christ's feet were anointed with expensive perfume.

However, little is known about Simon the Leper as he is only mentioned in passing reference.

Answer: Set free

It was the custom of the day to release a prisoner at the time of the Passover, and Pilate thought it would be a wise move to release Jesus, as per Mark 15:6-15. The crowd, however, shouted for the release of Barabbas, a prisoner cited for committing murder in an insurrection. When Pilate asked the crowd what should be the fate of Jesus, Scripture reports they said to crucify him. Mark 15:12-15, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Pilate answered and said to them again, 'What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?' So they cried out again, 'Crucify Him!' Then Pilate said to them, 'Why, what evil has He done?' But they cried out all the more, 'Crucify Him!' So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified."

Matthew 27:16 describes Barabbas as a "notorious" prisoner.

Answer: Camel hair

John the Batist's clothes were made of camel hair and he wore a leather belt while his diet consisted largely of locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6 provide these highly unusual details about John, regarded by some as the last of the Old Testament prophets. John's purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus, whom he described as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) In addition to his unusual dress, John never seemed to be at a loss for words when it came to the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

In Matthew 3:7, for example, he called them a "brood of vipers."

Answer: Second martyr

James, the brother of John, was the second martyr in the early church who died for his steadfast belief in a resurrected Jesus Christ. (Stephen was the first martyr.)

While the execution of Stephen rates almost two chapters in Acts, a simple line tells of the death of James. Acts 12:2 tells of King Herod having James put to death by the sword, a term meaning he was beheaded. Verse 3 goes on to state that Herod had Peter arrested when he saw people were pleased with the execution of James. Peter, however, would avoid execution when he made a miraculous escape from prison, as per Acts 12:1-19.

Answer: Helped carry cross

Simon of Cyrene, according to Scripture, helped carry the cross for Jesus to the crucifixion site. Little is known about Simon, but Mark 15:21 states he was the father of Alexander and Rufus. According to the 'International Standard Bible Encyclopedia', Cyrene was a city of Libya in North Africa.

Answer: Centurion, Gentile believer

Cornelius was a centurion who became a believer in a resurrected Jesus Christ according to Scripture. Although Cornelius is a so-called minor character in the New Testament, there is no debating the fact he played a major role in helping convince Peter and other Jewish followers of Christ that the message of Christianity must also be delivered to the Gentiles.

The church has never been the same as a result. (See Acts 10:1-48.) Fittingly, the story of Cornelius appears right after the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul, of course, would go on to become the main apostle to the Gentiles.

Answer: Struck dead

Herod's highly unusual death is recorded in Acts 12:21-23. We read in the NKJV Bible: "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."

Herod was a ruthless opponent of the early church and his death was seen as divine retribution. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state: "The historian Josephus describes a silver robe, dazzling bright that Herod wore that day. When people acclaimed him a god, he did not deny it. He was seized with violent pains, was carried out and died five days later."

Answer: Severed ear

The account of Malchus having his ear severed by Peter can be found in Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:7, Luke 22:50 and C. I find it highly fascinating that Luke, the physician, is the only one to report about the healing of Malchus' severed ear. John 18:26 tells of one of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had severed, questioning the disciple about being with Jesus. Peter denied the man's claims and Scripture reports the rooster crowed, just like Jesus had predicted.