Minor Female Characters in the New Testament Quiz

Answer: True

I find this highly entertaining Scripture, something you would expect to see in a Hollywood movie. Peter had just escaped from prison, as well as his likely execution, and he was left standing outside while the servant girl failed to immediately open the door. Scripture states she was overjoyed when she heard Peter's voice and ran back, telling the other occupants Peter was at the door. Scripture states that while the servant girl was exclaiming to the other people who was at the door, Peter "kept on knocking".

It's a good thing Peter was not being chased by would-be captors, as he would have been chopped liver having to stand at the door of the house trying to get in while Rhoda was busy telling everyone else the latest news. The story in Acts 12:12-16 almost smacks of a scene from a sitcom.

Answer: False

To the contrary, Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was raised from the dead by Peter, according to the ninth chapter of Acts.

Acts 9:36, in the NIV, suggests withholding money from the early church would have been out of character for Dorcas. The verse in the NIV Bible states she was "always doing good and helping the poor."

According to Scripture, Dorcas became sick and died only to have Peter raise her from the dead. Acts 9:40 states Peter knelt beside Dorcas and prayed, saying, "Tabitha get up." And she did just that!

The story of Dorcas being raised from the dead is only one of several incidents in which Peter performed miracles in Acts. For example, in verses 32-25, just before the report about Dorcas, Scripture tells of Peter healing Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.

Answer: True

True. However, little is known about Chloe as she is mentioned in passing reference. In 1 Corinthians 1:11, Paul, in the NIV, writes: "My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household, have informed me that there are quarrels among you." Paul then goes on to exhort the believers at Corinth to end their bickering.

Answer: True

True. Comparing Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 appears to offer evidence Salome was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John. The two verses tell of women at the crucifixion of Christ.

Matthew 27:56 in the NKJV Bible states: "Among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons."

To give the verse some clarification, here's what Mark 15:40 states in the NKJV: "There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome."

Salome's name also appears in Mark 16:1. Here's how the verse reads in the NKJV: "Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him."

According to the Web site Christiananswers.net, Salome means "perfect".

Answer: False

We know Peter, also known as Simon, was married because Scripture says Jesus healed his mother-in-law. However, she is not named in Scripture. Luke 4:38-39, in the NKJV, states: "Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them."

Answer: False

False. Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist even though she and her husband were both "very old", according to the first chapter of Luke. Luke 12:5 states Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Meanwhile, Luke 1:39-45 tells of Elizabeth meeting with Mary, the teenage virgin girl who was pregnant with Jesus. The two were relatives and their offspring would change the course of history.

Answer: True

No one can accuse Anna of not being faithful. In fact, she was apparently as reliable as the world-famous geyser Old Faithful. Luke 2:37, in the NKJV Bible, states Anna "did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." According to verse 37, she was the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was of "great age" and a widow.

After Jesus was presented as an infant at the temple by his parents Mary and Joseph, Scripture states Anna "gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

Answer: False

Aquila was actually married to Priscilla, as per Acts 18:2-3. And yes, Priscilla and Aquila served alongside Paul and are described in lofty terms by the apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, Paul credits the dynamic duo with risking their lives for him, as per Romans 16:3.

Meanwhile, Lydia played a major role in the development of the early church at Philippi. Her conversion to Christianity is told in the 16th chapter of Acts. According to Scripture, after Lydia became a believer in a resurrected Jesus Christ, her entire household believed. Lydia's step of faith was followed in the same chapter by the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household.

Incidentally, many theologians believe Lydia was a dynamic and wealthy woman. According to Acts 16:14, she was a seller of purple cloth, an item that only the very wealthy could afford in Biblical times.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible explain things this way: "Purple dye had to be gathered drop by drop from a certain shellfish. Because it was so expensive purple dye was used on garments worn by royalty. As an artisan in purple dyes, Lydia was a wealthy woman who came to Philippi to practice her trade."

Answer: True

Yes, Tryphena and Tryphosa are two of a number of people who are listed in chapter 16 of Romans. Paul commends the two women, saying they have "labored in the Lord." The 16th chapter is largely a long list of personal greetings Paul sends to believers in Rome. The chapter is seen by many today as a tribute to the common "Joe Christians" and "Jane Christians."

According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, it is believed Tryphena and Tryphosa were sisters.

Answer: False

Nothing appears to be further from the truth. While they were both members of the early church, it appeared they did not get along at all. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, issues a heartfelt plea to them in the fourth chapter of Philippians.

However, little light is shed on the situation. In Philippians 4:2-3, in the NIV Bible, Paul writes: "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life." Philippi is the same community in which Paul converted Lydia and her family as well as the jailer and his family to Christianity. Details of their conversion are found in Acts 16:11-40.