It's in the Gospels Trivia Quiz

Answer:

The first four books of the New Testament - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - are collectively known as the Gospels. The major content of these four books concerns the life and works of Jesus Christ, from birth through crucifixion and resurrection. Here we find just a few of the events of that story.

The birth of Jesus is described in both Matthew 1 and Luke 2, but it is in Luke 2:7 that we learn that Mary laid her newborn child in a manger, because there was no room for the family at the inn.

Following on from there, Luke 2:8-20 describes how the shepherds in the fields were advised of the birth by a host of angels, and how they made their way to the stable in Bethlehem to see the babe for themselves.

Jesus's temptation in the wilderness, during which Satan tempts Jesus to prove he is the Son of God by various means, to no avail, is described at some length in both Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13. A much briefer reference is made to this ordeal in Mark 1:12-13.

The Sermon on the Mount, during which Jesus delivers what have come to be known as the Beatitudes, can be found in both Matthew 5:1 to 7:29 and Luke 6:17-19. You may recall these as the pronouncements beginning "blessed be the..." followed by a consequence. Less often quoted are those that start "woe to..." and also end with a consequence.

For the feeding of the multitude, I had initially stated the number 5000, which I had recalled from childhood Bible stories. I then found an instance of 4000 being fed and wondered if I had misremembered. Eventually it became clear that there were two instances of a great number of followers being fed by Jesus from very meagre supplies (a few loaves and fishes) which I've combined here as "the multitude". The feeding of the 5000 is described in all four Gospels, whilst the instance of the 4000 appears only in Matthew and Mark.

Shortly after feeding the 5000, Jesus sent his disciples out on a ship, which became caught in bad weather. In order to rejoin them Jesus walked upon the water, as did Peter, ever so briefly as Jesus had to rescue him. This scenario is described in Matthew 14, Mark 6 and Luke 6.

During his ministry, Jesus often used parables to teach pertinent lessons to his listeners. One of these that remains well-known if the Parable of the Lost Son (sometimes called the Prodigal Son), a young man who went off on his own, squandered the wealth given to him by his father and fell on hard times. Upon returning to seek his father's help he is welcomed like a lost lamb, by everyone but his brother who had remained at home working faithfully. The father explains to him that they must rejoice in the return of the lost son. This story is found in Luke 15:11-32.

Another of those Bible stories that I remember from childhood is that of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The sisters of the dead man have sent for Jesus, but when he arrives Lazarus has already been laid to rest and it seems to be too late. Asking that the sisters have faith, Jesus calls out to Lazarus and the latter emerges from his tomb, alive. (John 11:1-44)

The tax collector who climbed a tree was Zacchaeus, who wanted to see Jesus as he passed through the streets of Jericho, and found it difficult due to his small stature. Spotted by Jesus, he ended up being host to the son of God, who brought criticism upon himself for speaking to one considered to be a sinner. (Luke 19:1-10)

Finally, we come to another event described in all four gospels - the release of the criminal Barabbas instead of Jesus. By custom, the people could ask for one condemned prisoner to be spared and released to them, and in this case they chose Barabbas. (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18)

The incorrect choices all happened in the Old Testament.