What is Truth? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Passover

Matthew 26:17-19 describes Jesus giving his disciples instructions on how to prepare for Passover. Passages in the other Gospels describe it similarly if not identically. The festival of Passover is based on the escape of the Jewish people from slavery as related in the Book of Exodus.

Answer: Ear

John 18:10 indicates that Peter used his sword to strike the right ear of a slave named Malchus. Jesus then instructs Peter to put his sword away. The other Gospels indicate that an unnamed person used a sword to strike the ear of the (unnamed) servant.

Answer: Peter

This occurred after Jesus had been arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter, waiting in the courtyard outside the building, said that he did not know Jesus to onlookers who suggested that he did. Mark 14:72 relates that after he denied Jesus, Peter heard a rooster crow and, remembering Jesus's words, he wept.

Answer: To purchase a field for burials

Chapter 27 of Matthew relates that the priests called the silver "blood money" and did not place it the temple treasury. They used it to purchase a potter's field, afterwards named the "field of blood" that would be used to bury foreigners. According to Matthew, Judas later hanged himself.

Answer: Barabbas

The Gospel relates that the governor usually followed the custom of releasing a prisoner at the time of the Passover festival. Though Pilate suggested releasing Jesus, the crowd expressed its support for releasing Barabbas instead. Matthew 27:15 describes Barabbas as "notorious" and Luke 23:18 calls him the leader of a rebellion.

Answer: He assists in carrying the cross.

Matthew 27:32 describes Simon as "pressed into service carrying his cross." Mark and Luke also mention Simon. The name of Golgotha means "Place of the Skull". All four Gospels agree that the journey to Golgotha took place on Friday morning.

Answer: Pilate

Pilate has been questioning Jesus to determine whether he should be punished or released. When Pilate asks if Jesus is a king, Jesus responds, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." To this Pilate replies "What is truth?" (18:37-38) At this point, he seems inclined to release Jesus, but the crowd begins calling for Barabbas to be released instead.

Answer: Two

Matthew, Chapter 27, and Mark, Chapter 15, describe two revolutionaries who verbally abused him as the crowd was doing. Luke, Chapter 23, describes two criminals. One criminal criticizes Jesus. The other asks for Jesus to remember him. Jesus says that he will be with Jesus in Paradise. In all three cases, the two are described as one on Jesus's right and the other on Jesus's left.

Answer: Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph is described as a wealthy man and a follower or disciple of Jesus. Jesus's body was wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb in the rock. (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19) The Gospels of Luke and John also mention that Jesus's body was anointed with spices, according to custom.

Answer: Mary Magdalene

An angel informs Mary Magdalene and Jesus's mother, Mary, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you." (Matthew 28:57) Mark, Chapter 16, describes a young man who gives a similar message.

In Luke, Chapter 24, two men deliver the message.

In John, Chapter 20, Mary Magdalene sees that the tomb had been opened but goes to tell Peter and John, who make the discovery.