Three -- A Common Number in the New Testament Quiz

Answer: From the East

The three wise men came from the east. To be precise, and to be prevent a slew of correction notices, nowhere in Scripture does it specifically state the number of the wise men who visited Jesus. However, it is widely believed there were three wise men as three gifts were presented -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as per Matthew 2:11.

The account of the wise men visiting Jesus is found in Matthew 2:1-12. (In the NIV, the term Magi is used rather than wise men.)

Answer: Peter, James and John

According to Scripture, Peter, James and John fell asleep on three different occasions while Jesus was praying. Details about the three disciples falling asleep three times in the Garden of Gethsemane can be found in Matthew 26:36-45.

Scripture goes on to tell of the arrest of Jesus and His crucifixion only to rise from the dead three days later. According to Scripture, after His resurrection Jesus appeared to a large number of people over forty days before ascending to heaven.

Answer: Peter

Peter is the one who suggested on Mount Transfiguration they should build three tabernacles -- one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (Rather than use the word tabernacles, the NIV uses shelters.) Details can be found in Mark 9:5.

Fittingly, there were three disciples on the mountain at the time. In addition to Peter, the disciples were James and John, known as the sons of Zebedee.

The events on Mount Transfiguration are recorded in the seventeenth chapter of Matthew, the ninth chapter of Mark and the ninth chapter of Luke.

Answer: Peter

Peter, of course, is the correct answer. His denials are told in the four Gospels.

According to Scripture, Peter wept bitterly after he denied knowing Christ on three different occasions just prior to His crucifixion. Peter's denials are reported in 26th chapter of the Matthew, the 14th chapter of Mark, the 22nd chapter of Luke and the 18th chapter of John. After the third denial, a rooster crowed, just as Jesus predicted.

Matthew 26:75, in the NKJV, states: "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' So he went out and wept bitterly."

In Mark 14:31, Peter had boldly proclaimed he would NEVER deny Christ. Scripture quotes Peter as saying: "But he spoke more vehemently. 'If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!'"

Answer: Paul

Paul, who was known as Saul at the time, was rendered blind for three days after he had a dramatic encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, according to Scripture. Paul was a vehement adversary of the early church and Scripture states he was heading to Damascus with the express purpose of persecuting Christians. Details can be found in Acts 9:1-9.

Scripture goes on to tell of Ananias baptizing Paul and how he became an unstoppable force in preaching the news of a resurrected Jesus to the Gentiles.

Answer: 2 Corinthians

Paul's statement about "thorn in the flesh" was given to him, is found in 2 Corinthians 12:7. In the following verse, Paul goes on to write he "pleaded" with the Lord three times that the thorn in the flesh would depart from him. However, in Verse 9, Paul states he was not alleviated of the affliction, quoting the Lord as saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul goes on to write: "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Paul doesn't provide any details about his "thorn in flesh" and considerable speculation has taken place over the centuries. Many theologians believe the thorn in his flesh is in reference to a physical ailment, such as poor vision, headaches or epilepsy. Others believe the thorn in the flesh is in reference to a recurring temptation, while others believe it is in reference to the severe persecution Paul suffered. No one knows for certain. The bottom line is that Paul learned to live with his condition.

Answer: 1 John

The verse featured in the question is found in 1 John 5:7. The verse precedes 1 John 5:8 which states in the NKJV: "And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one."

To put things in perspective, 1 John 5:6 states: "This is He who came by water and blood -- Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth."

First John appears immediately after Epistle of Second Peter and is followed by Second John. Tradition holds the epistle was written by John, one of the Twelve Disciples of Jesus. First John is a relatively small book, consisting of only five chapters. It is, however, considerably larger than the epistles of Second John and Third John which consist of only one chapter each.

Using the NKJV, the number three appears twice in 1 John with the number featured in Chapter 5, Verses 7 and 8.

Answer: The false prophet

John saw an unclean spirit coming out of the mouth of the false prophet, according to Scripture. In Verse 14, John goes on to state "they are the spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

It is generally understood that John's statements in Chapter 16 are in reference to "the great city of Babylon." In Verse 19, John goes on to tell of having a vision of Babylon "divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell."

It must be stressed, Revelation is a book that has perplexed its readers for almost two thousand years and there are many different views on its content.

Answer: New Jerusalem

New Jerusalem is the correct answer. Revelation 21 is the second last chapter of the book with details devoted to the New Jerusalem. According to John, author of the book, the residents of the New Jerusalem will enjoy a glorious future, a stark contrast to the horrific fate facing residents of Babylon.

According to Revelation 1:9, John wrote Revelation after being in exile on the small, windswept island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea.

Using the NKJV, the number three appears nine different times in Revelation with four of the occurrences found in Revelation 21:13.

Answer: Jesus

Jesus, of course, is the correct answer. His resurrection from the dead is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. According to Scripture, He was arrested, humiliated, savagely beaten and tortured and crucified. Three days later, He arose from the dead.

The first person to see Jesus after His resurrection was Mary Magdalene, as per John 20:11-18. She must've been completely astonished when she saw Jesus, even though He had told His followers many times He would die and rise from the dead three days later.

According to Scripture, Jesus appeared to more than 500 people after His resurrection from the dead, as per 1 Corinthians 15:4-8.