Medium Difficult Bible Quiz about Bible Characters.

Medium-Difficult Bible Questions​
 

1. Who is Yahweh in the Bible?
   a. Abraham.
   b. Jesus.
   c. God.
   
   Yahweh appears more than 6,800 times in the original Old Testament.
   Only temple priests could say "Yahweh," because it was so holy.
   Yahweh is God, but the most popular English translation of Yahweh is Lord.
   "Lord" appears approximately 6800 times in the Bible.
   Answer C: God is Yahweh.
   
    

2. At what age did Jesus start his ministry?
   a. Twelve. Jesus began at the age of twelve, after spending three days in the synagogue with the priests.
   b. Thirty. He started his ministry when he was approximately thirty, when he was baptized.
   c. Twenty-one. Jesus began preaching when he came of age at twenty-one.
   
   Jesus began his ministry as a fully grown adult after reaching the age of thirty.
   His cousin John the Baptist baptized Jesus, marking the beginning of his ministry.
   Jesus started preaching at Capernaum in Galilee, about 2 miles from his home in Nazareth.
   Luke 3:23.
   Answer B: Jesus was approximately  thirty years  old when he started preaching.
   
    

3. Who were the people in the Bible that survived the catastrophic flood on the massive ship called the Ark?
   a. Adam, Eve, Cain, and Seth were survivors.
   b. Noah, his three sons, and their wives survived.
   c. Moses, Aaron, Miriam, and their families survived.
   
   Those who survived the flood by being on the Ark were Noah, his three sons, and their wives.
   All of humanity started with Adam and Eve, but also all humanity comes from Noah's family.
   Genesis 7:13.
   Answer B: Noah and his family survived the flood.
   
    

4. Who did Jesus say these words to: "I will make you fishers of men'"?
   a. Matthew and Luke.
   b. Paul and Judas Iscariot.
   c. Peter and his brother Andrew.
   
   Jesus told Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen, that they would become fishers of men.
   Jesus approached them at the shore and made them his first disciples.
   Mark 1:16-18.
   Jesus told Peter and Andrew that they would become fishers of men.
   
    

5. Whose rod turned into a snake and ate the snakes of sorcerers in Egypt?
   a. Elijah.
   b. Aaron.
   c. Moses.
   
   Aaron wielded a staff that, when thrown to the ground, consumed the snakes of sorcerers.
   This episode occurred when Aaron went with Moses to ask Pharaoh to "Let my people go!"
   Exodus 7:8-13.
   Answer B:  Aaron  had a rod that ate snakes.
   
    

6. Who ordered the head of John the Baptist to be cut off and placed on a plate?
   a. The religious Sanhedrin.
   b. Governor Pontius Pilate.
   c. King Herod Antipas.
   
   King Herod Antipas, the tetrarch over Galilee, ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.
   Salome was Herod's stepdaughter, the daughter of his wife, Herodias.
   She deceived Herod into ordering the execution of John while she performed a sexual dance in front of him.
   Matthew 14:1-12.
   Answer C: Herod Antipas ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.
   
    

7. Who walked on water at the Sea of Galilee?
   a. Paul and Peter.
   b. Jesus and Peter.
   c. It was only Jesus.
   
   Jesus was on shore, and the disciples were out a short way in a boat.
   Rather than call the boat to shore, Jesus walked out to the boat on the water.
   As Jesus was walking toward the boat, Peter got out and walked toward Him.
   Unfortunately Peter lost his faith, got scared, and sank.
   Jesus had to save Peter from drowning.
   Matthew 14:22-33.
   Answer B: Jesus and Peter walked on water.
   
    

8. Which Bible person was responsible for the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr?
   a. King Herod the Great.
   b. Saul of Tarsus.
   c. Pontius Pilate.
   
   Saul of Tarsus oversaw the stoning of Stephen when the riotous crowd demanded it.
   He did not himself throw any stones, but he approved, sanctioned, and supervised.
   Later, Saul converted to Christianity and became known as Paul the Apostle.
   Acts 8:1-14.
   Answer B: Saul of Tarsus was the responsible authority for the stoning of Stephen.
   
    

9. What did Jesus' mother ask him to do when they were at a wedding?
   a. Bless the newlyweds.
   b. Replenish the wine.
   c. Make the toast.
   
   The host ran out of wine, and Mary urged Jesus to make more wine out of water.
   Most scholars contend that this was Jesus' first miracle as recorded in the Bible.
   John 2:1-11.
   Answer B: Jesus' mother requested that He replenish and make more wine.
   
    

10. Whom did Delilah seduce for the Philistine army?
    a. David.
    b. Samson.
    c. Jonathan.
    
    The Philistines wanted to capture Samson.
    However, it was difficult to overtake Samson because of his enormous strength.
    The Philistines persuaded Delilah to seduce Samson and learn what gave him his strength.
    Delilah's constant banter finally convinced Samson to tell her that his hair was the source of his strength.
    Judges 16.
    Answer B: Samson was seduced by Delilah.
    
     

11. Which Bible person permitted the creation of a golden idol while camped in the desert?
    a. Moses.
    b. Aaron.
    c. Miriam.
    
    Aaron permitted the creation of a golden idol during the Great Exodus.
    This event occurred while Moses was spending 40 days and nights on the mountain, speaking with God.
    Exodus 32:1-6.
    Answer B: Aaron allowed the Hebrews to make a golden calf.
    
     

12. What compensation did Judas receive for revealing Jesus to the religious mob that led to his arrest?
    a. 10 denarii.
    b. 20 drachmas.
    c. 30 silver coins.
    
    Judas Iscariot received 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus, the same amount as the price of a slave.
    After feeling remorse, Judas gave the money back to the Sanhedrin, but they refused it.
    Later, Judas felt so remorseful that he committed suicide for what he had done.
    Matthew 26:14-16.
    Answer C: Thirty pieces of silver was the payment given Judas to betray Jesus.
    
     

13. What did Jesus say were the two most important commandments?
    a. Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.
    b. Obey the Ten Commandments and pray often.
    c. Be baptized and partake of communion.
    
    Love is the priority with Jesus and God.
    Matthew 22:36-40.
    Answer A: Love is the most important commandment according to Jesus.
    
     

14. Which woman in the Bible did Eli think was drunk when she was praying in the temple, asking God for a child?
    a. Anna.
    b. Sarah.
    c. Hannah.
    
    Hannah was the barren wife of Elkanah.
    She continuously went to the temple, pleading in fervent prayer for a child.
    Haannah's prayer was answered, and Samuel was born.
    1 Samuel 1:9-17.
    Answer C: Hannah appeared to be drunk while praying in the temple.
    
     

15. Who was the prophet who called two she-bears out of the woods to attack a group of 42 misbehaving and disrespectful mouthy boys?
    a. Elisha.
    b. Joshua.
    c. Abraham.
    
    A group of rowdy, rebellious teens teased Elisha about being bald when he was walking along the road.
    Elisha summoned two bears out of the woods, which mauled several dozen of the lads.
    The story's lesson is to respect your elders and avoid teasing the priest.
    2 Kings 2:23-25.
    Answer A: Elisha called out two bears to attack a group of disrespectful children.
    
     

16. Who was the blind Bible character that Jesus healed in Jericho?
    a. Bartimaeus.
    b. Malchus.
    c. Legion.
    
    The Bible has 26 stories of Jesus performing healings.
    In this particular story, Jesus and the disciples left Jericho and came across a beggar beside the road.
    It was Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, who was blind and called out to Jesus.
    Jesus felt compassion and healed his blindness.
    Mark 10:46-52.
    Answer A:  Bartimaeus  was healed of blindness by Jesus in Jericho.
    
     

17. What was the name of the servant of Caiaphas whose ear Peter cut off?
    a. Belshazza.
    b. Malchus.
    c. Uzzah.
    
    Peter cut the ear off of Malchus when Caiaphas and the mob came to arrest Jesus in the garden.
    Jesus put Machus' ear back on and healed it.
    John 18:10
    Answer B: Malchus had his ear cut off by Peter.
    
     

18. Who was Jacob's twin brother, known for his red hair and hairy appearance?
    a. Judah.
    b. Isaac.
    c. Esau.
    
    Jacob's twin brother was Esau, but they were not identical twins.
    Esau had red hair and was very hairy.
    Genesis 25:24-26.
    Answer C: Esau was the red, hairy twin brother of Jacob.
    
     

19. Who in the Bible died after he touched the Ark to keep it from falling?
    a. Zacchaeus.
    b. Uzzah.
    c. Uriah.
    
    King David, along with 30,000 others, was transporting the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Abinadab in Baale-Judah into the house of Obed-Edom, the Gittite, in the City of David (Jerusalem).
    Uzzah instantly died when he tried to steady the ark from falling off the cart when the oxen stumbled.
    2 Samuel 6:1-7.
    Answer B: Uzzah died when he touched the Ark to steady it.
    
     

20. Whom did King Nebuchadnezzar force into a fiery furnace?
    
    a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
    b. Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
    c. Daniel.
    
    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were friends of David.
    They were high up in King Nebuchadnezzar's court.
    However, they refused to bow down and worship the king's idol.
    Jealous underlings tricked the king into putting the three men to death in the furnace, but God's intervention saved them.
    Daniel 3:8-15.
    The king forced Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into a fiery furnace.
    
     

21. Jesus raised this friend from the dead four days after he died.
    a. Nicodemus.
    b. Lazarus.
    c. Peter.
    
    Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days.
    When Jesus stood outside the tomb, He shouted and told Lazarus to rise and come out. So he did.
    John 11:38-44.
    Answer B: Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days.
    
     

22. Who was the Jerusalem priest who instigated the trial of Jesus?
    a Caiaphas.
    b. Ananias.
    c. Judas.
    
    The main priest who charged Jesus with the crimes was named Caiaphas.
    Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, a high priest who also participated in the coercion of Jesus' trial.
    John 18:12-14.
    Answer A: Caiaphas was the main person charging Jesus with crimes.
    
     

23. This Bible character sat on a donkey that talked to him.
    a. Saul. He was met by a divine person while traveling to Damascus.
    b. Balaam. He lived among idolaters and was a prophet of sorts.
    c. John. His donkey alerted him to Herod's plot to kill him.
    
    The donkey stopped because an angel was blocking the way.
    Balaam repeatedly prodded the donkey, who remained motionless.
    Then the donkey spoke to Balaam.
    "What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?"
    Numbers 22:21-39.
    Answer B: Balaam was spoken to by a donkey after he hit the donkey several times.
    
     

24. Who was the thirteenth apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot?
    a. Nathaniel.
    b. Thaddeus.
    c. Matthias.
    
    The 13th apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot was Matthias.
    The apostles selected Matthias by drawing lots.
    Acts 1:21-26.
    Answer C:  Matthias  was the disciple that replaced Judas Iscariot.
    
     

25. King David saw this woman bathing in the nude and later had an affair with her.
    a. Bathsheba.
    b. Cleopatra.
    c. Delilah.
    
    David saw Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop next door and became lustful for her.
    He arranged for her husband to be killed in battle and then took Bathsheba as his wife.
    2 Samuel 11:2-5.
    Answer A:  Bathsheba  was bathing, and David lusted after her.
    
     

26. Who was it that "stinketh" in the Bible?
    a. Lazarus. He had a stench after spending four days in a tomb.
    b. Joseph's body, which was carried to the promised land.
    c. Methuselah smelled foul due to his old age.
    
    After lying dead in the tomb for four days, Lazarus's sister said he had a stench.
    She was in tears and extremely upset that Jesus did not come right away to save his friend.
    John 11:38-43.
    Answer A: Lazarus had a stench after being dead for several days.
    
     

27. Who was sitting with the elders of Judah when a heavenly spirit pulled him by the hair, took him up between earth and heaven in a vision, and brought him to Jerusalem?
    a. Ezekiel.
    b. David.
    c. Paul.
    
    Ezekiel had a vision that took him to Jerusalem, and he faced the glory of God.
    God showed Ezekiel the wickedness of man and how sinful and detestable they had become. 
    Ezekiel 8:1-4.
    Answer A: Ezekiel was pulled by his hair between heaven and earth in a dream.
    
     

28. Whom did Samuel anoint as the first king of Israel?
    a. Solomon.
    b. David.
    c. Saul.
    
    The people demanded a king, so Samuel appointed Saul as their first king.
    Saul was the favorite of the masses.
    This event was perhaps the first step Israel took in its journey from a collection of scattered tribes to becoming a united country.
    1 Samuel 9:15-20.
    Answer C: Saul was anointed the first king of Israel by Samuel.
    
     

29. Who was the last king of northern Israel?
    a. Nebuchadnezzar.
    b. Solomon.
    c. Hoshea.
    
    The 19th and last king of the northern kingdom of Israel was Hoshea, son of Elah.
    Hoshea took advantage of an opportunity during a battle between Israel and the Assyrians.
    He killed King Pekah of Israel during the battle and assumed power.
    His poor leadership and refusal to pay the Assyrians protection money led to Israel's final downfall.
    Hoshea was the last king.
    Answer C: Hoshea was the last king of Israel.
    
     

30. Who was Elijah's apprentice?
    a. Samuel.
    b. Elisha.
    c. Daniel.
    
    After Elijah ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha assumed leadership.
    Elijah's apprentice was Elisha.
    Answer B: Elisha was Elijah's apprentice.
    
     

31. Which tribe of Israel took care of the religious duties of the faithful?
    a. Benedictines.
    b. Aaronites,
    c. Levites.
    d. Jesuits.
    
    The religious affairs of the Hebrews were the responsibility of the Levites.
    God entrusted the Levites, with Aaron as the high priest, to manage all tabernacle matters.
    The practice continued for over 1500 years, until the arrival of Jesus led to the disbandment of the priesthood.
    Answer C: Levites took care of the religious duties.
    
     

32. Who was the prophet that ate locusts and honey when he traveled in the wilderness?
    a. Jesus.
    b. Samson.
    c. John the Baptist.
    
    This prophet was a simple man who was faithful to God and wore fur coats made of wild animals.
    John the Baptist ate locusts and honey while traveling in the wilderness.
    He was Jesus' cousin and baptized Jesus at the start of His ministry.
    Matthew 3:1-6.
    Answer C: John the Baptist ate locust and honey while living in the wilderness.
    
     

33. Who is David's father?
    a. Solomon.
    b. Jesse.
    c. Obed.
    
    David's father is Jesse.
    David was the youngest of Jesse's eight sons.
    The name of David's mother is not specifically mentioned in the Bible.
    Ruth 4:15–22.
    Answer B: Jesse was David's father.
    
     

34. Which Bible character had to have his arms held up by his aides so that he could communicate hand signals to the army below in battle?
    a. Moses.
    b. Abraham.
    c. King David.
    
    During a battle with the Amalekites, Moses gave hand signals to the Israelites.
    Moses became worn out; his arms could not stay up, and the Amalekites began winning the battle.
    Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a rock and held up his arms, and the Israelites were victorious in the battle.
    Exodus 17:8-13.
    Answer A:  Moses  had to have his arms held up during a battle.
    
     

35. Who was a Phoenician queen and the wife of King Ahab?
    a. Bathsheba.
    b. Jezebel.
    c. Vashti.
    
    The wife of King Ahab was Jezebel, perhaps the most evil person in the Bible.
    Her maids threw her out the window, which led to her horrifying death.
    Dogs devoured her as she lay on the ground.
    1 Kings 16:29-33.
    Answer B: Jezebel was the evil wife of King Ahab.
    
     

36. Who was pulled from the crowd to carry Jesus' cross on the day of His crucifixion?
    
    a. Simon from Cyrene, who was innocently walking alongside the procession.
    b. Zacchaeus, who was observing the procession from a nearby tree.
    c. Balaam, who was nearby riding his donkey behind the procession.
    
    Jesus was so beaten down and weak that he could not carry his cross.
    Simon from Cyrene was passing by when the soldiers seized him from the crowd and made him carry the cross of Jesus.
    He was just an ordinary person, in the wrong place at the wrong time.
    Mark 15:21-22.
    Answer A: Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry the cross of Jesus.
    
     

37. Which Pharisee visited Jesus at night to avoid detection by the Sanhedrin?
    a. Nicodemus.
    b. Abarbanel.
    c. Gamaliel.
    
    During the night, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, visited Jesus.
    Nicodemus asked Jesus about the meaning of "being born again."
    John 3:1-21.
    Answer A:  Nicodemus  came to visit Jesus at night.
    
     

38. Who was Joseph’s youngest brother?
    a. Benjamin.
    b. Judah.
    c. Ruben.
    
    The youngest of Jacob's twelve sons was Benjamin.
    Benjamin was the younger brother of Joseph.
    The twelve brothers founded the twelve tribes of Israel.
    Benjamin was the youngest brother out of 12 siblings.
    Answer A: Benjamin was the younger brother of Joseph.
    
     

39. Who greeted the first two visitors to Jesus' tomb after his resurrection?
    a. Mary, the mother of Jesus, who sat vigil over the tomb, met the visitors.
    b. Peter and Andrew were staked out at the tomb and met the visitors.
    c. An angel of the Lord was at the entrance.
    
    At the doorway of Jesus' tomb was an angel of the Lord.
    The first to arrive at the tomb to see the resurrected Jesus was Mary Magdalene.
    Matthew 28:1-10.
    Answer C: An angel of the Lord stood at the entrance to Jesus' tomb after the resurrection.
    
     

40. How much time elapsed between Jesus' resurrection and when he ascended into heaven?
    a. Exactly forty days.
    b. Three days.
    c. A week.
    
    Jesus stayed on earth for forty days before ascending into heaven.
    Acts 1:3.
    Answer A: Jesus spent forty days between his resurrection and ascension.

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1950s fun phrases and words:

What would you be doing if you were "bitching"?

a. You would be having a good time at a party.
b. Complaining about something.
c. Passing on Gossip.

"Bitchin'" meant that you were having a pleasurable time doing something.
"Man, everyone at that birthday party was bitching."

​Answer A: Having a pleasurable time.
 

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