Which One of the Twelve Disciples Was It? Quiz

Answer: Judas Iscariot

Judas is the correct answer. However, it appears he wasn't good at his job. According to Scripture, he often pocketed money for himself. John 12:6 in the NIV Bible states "as keeper of the money bag, he [Judas] used to help himself to what was put into it."

Answer: Nathanael

Nathanael is the correct answer. John 1:49, in the NKJV, quotes Nathanael as telling Jesus, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" The declaration is made months, perhaps years before Peter made his declaration in Matthew 16:16 that Christ is "the Son of the living God." Similar declarations by Peter are also recorded in Mark 8:29 and Luke 9:20.

Many theologians believe Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person. When a list of the names of the disciples is given in Matthew, Mark and Luke, it contains the name Bartholomew, but not Nathanael. (The name Bartholomew is also mentioned in Acts.) However, in John there is mention of Nathanael, but no mention of Bartholomew.

Answer: Andrew

Andrew is the correct answer. Scripture reports there were 5,000 men fed, but it was the custom of the day not to include women and children in such reports. As a result, theologians estimate 15,000 people were fed with the tiny bit of food from the little boy who was led to Christ by Andrew.

In other words, Andrew played an important role in this Bible story, which is a favorite of millions of people today.

Answer: Peter

Peter actually walked on water, according to Scripture. However, when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and paid attention to the wind and the waves, he started to sink.

Matthew 14:24-32, in the NKJV, gives this account of the miraculous event: "But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.' And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased."

Answer: Thomas

Thomas is the correct answer. He's forever known as Doubting Thomas or Thomas the Doubter for his stubborn refusal to believe in reports about Jesus being resurrected from the dead.

According to Scripture, Thomas said he would not believe reports of the resurrection unless he could place his fingers in the wounds on Christ's hand and reach his hand into the wound on Christ's side.

The 20th chapter of John tells of Jesus appearing before the disciples who were meeting in a locked room. Many theologians believe the door was locked because the disciples were afraid of being rounded up in a mass persecution against anyone who had anything to do with Jesus. When Christ appeared in the room, it must have been an electrifying moment for Thomas. By putting his fingers in the wounds on Christ's hands and by putting his hand in Christ's side, Thomas had irrefutable evidence Christ had indeed ascended from the dead. His life would be forever changed.

In John 20:28, Thomas put all doubt aside and proclaimed "My Lord and my God!"

Answer: Matthew

The correct answer is Matthew, who was also known as Levi in Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27. Matthew 9:9 in the NKJV gives this account of Matthew becoming a disciple just after Jesus enabled a paralytic man to walk: "As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me.' So he arose and followed Him."

Incidentally, tax collectors were loathed in Israel and other occupied areas by the Romans in Biblical times. Tax collectors were seen as traitors as they were working for the Romans. On top of this, tax collectors were seen as dishonest as many of them overcharged the people and pocketed the difference.

Answer: Peter, James and John

The events on a mountain during Jesus's Transfiguration are recorded in the seventeenth chapter of Matthew, the ninth chapter of Mark and the ninth chapter of Luke. According to Scripture, Peter, James and John were with Jesus when Elijah and Moses appeared in their midst.

Matthew 17:1-8, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!' And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, 'Arise, and do not be afraid.' When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."

Answer: James and John

James and John are the correct answers. Not much is known about Zebedee as he is mentioned in passing reference. According to Matthew 4:21, he was a fisherman, just like his sons James and John. Theologians believe his wife's name was Salome.

Answer: Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot is the correct answer. According to the 12th chapter of John, Judas became upset when he saw Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointing Jesus with the perfume, or costly oil. John 12:3, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." Verses 4 and 5 go on to state Judas Iscariot was indignant at the display of affection, stating the perfume could have been sold and given to the poor.

However, John, the writer of the Gospel, states in the next verse that Judas didn't care about the poor and was putting on a false front.

Answer: Philip

Philip is the correct answer. The lists of the disciples' names can be found in Matthew 10:2-5, Mark 3:16-19 and Luke 6:14-16. The Gospel of John does not contain a complete list of the disciple's names.

A list of the names of the disciples also appears in Acts 1:13 and wouldn't you know it: Philip's name is fifth on the list!