157 Fun Facts About Bible Trivia for Kids

Who built a large boat to save his family and two of every animal from a great flood?

Noah's Ark is the boat in the Genesis flood story through which God spares Noah, his family, and one pair of every animal species in the world.

Who was thrown into a den of lions but was not harmed?

The story is found in chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel, and it tells how Daniel was saved from the lions by God.

Who was swallowed by a great fish and spent three days inside it?

Jonah is saved by being swallowed by a great fish, in whose belly he spends three days and three nights. The Hebrew words mean "great fish", though later retellings often say whale.

What did the young shepherd David use to defeat the giant Goliath?

A sling and a stone were enough: the stone struck Goliath's forehead and he fell face down, and David then cut off his head with the giant's own sword.

Which is the first book of the Bible?

Genesis comes first. Its Hebrew name means "In the beginning", and it opens with the creation of the world.

What was the name of the garden where Adam and Eve first lived?

The Garden of Eden is the paradise described in Genesis chapters 2 and 3, where God placed the first man in a garden planted eastward in Eden.

Who led the Israelites out of Egypt and stretched out his staff so the sea parted in front of them?

Moses held his staff over the water at God's command, the sea parted, and the Israelites crossed on dry land before the water closed over Pharaoh's army.

On which mountain did Moses receive the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone?

Mount Sinai: Exodus 19-20 says the mountain was wrapped in smoke, thunder and fire when Moses climbed it to receive the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone.

In which town was Jesus born?

Bethlehem: Matthew and Luke both say Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, the town of King David, a few miles south of Jerusalem.

Jesus fed about five thousand people with five loaves of bread and how many fish?

The miracle is known as the feeding of the five thousand, or the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. Twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up afterwards.

Which of Jacob's twelve sons was given a beautiful coloured coat, making his brothers jealous?

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt over the coat, where he rose to run Pharaoh's kingdom and later forgave them.

Who climbed a sycamore tree because he was too short to see Jesus?

Zacchaeus, a short tax collector in Jericho, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd; Jesus called him down by name and stayed at his house (Luke 19).

At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turned water into what?

Wine was the first of Jesus's miracles in John's Gospel, and the steward was amazed that the best wine had been saved for last.

What happened to Samson after his hair was cut off?

He lost his strength because the vow was broken; the Philistines captured and blinded him, but his hair grew back and he pulled their temple down.

Which three gifts did the wise men bring to the baby Jesus?

Gold, frankincense and myrrh are the three gifts Matthew names; frankincense and myrrh are fragrant tree resins, and the Bible never actually says how many wise men there were.

In the creation story, after making the world, on which day did God rest?

The seventh day: Genesis 2:2-3 says God finished his work in six days and rested on the seventh, blessing it. That day of rest became the Sabbath.

God made Eve from what part of Adam's body?

A rib: Genesis 2:21-22 says God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, closed up the flesh, and made the rib into a woman, Eve.

After the great flood, what did God put in the sky as a promise never to flood the whole earth again?

A rainbow: in Genesis 9 God sets his bow in the clouds as the sign of his covenant with every living creature that a flood would never again destroy the whole earth.

What animal did Abraham find caught in a thicket by its horns and offer in place of Isaac?

A ram: Genesis 22:13 says Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns, and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son Isaac.

Esau sold his birthright to his twin brother Jacob for a bowl of what?

Lentil stew: Genesis 25 says Esau came in from the field famished and sold his birthright to Jacob for bread and a pottage of lentils, a single meal.

The baby Moses was hidden in a basket among the reeds of which river?

The Nile: Exodus 2 says Moses' mother coated a papyrus basket with tar and pitch and hid him among the reeds of the Nile, where Pharaoh's daughter found him while his sister watched.

What was the first plague God sent on Egypt when the king would not let the Israelites go?

Water turned to blood: in Exodus 7 Aaron struck the river with his staff and it turned to blood, the fish died, and the Egyptians dug along the banks for something to drink.

What did the manna that God sent to feed the Israelites in the desert taste like?

Honey wafers: Exodus 16:31 says manna was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. It appeared each morning like frost and had to be gathered fresh daily.

What did the priests blow as Joshua's army marched around the walls of Jericho?

Trumpets: Joshua 6 says seven priests blew trumpets of rams' horns as the army circled Jericho once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day before the great shout.

In the Book of Ruth, Ruth stays loyal to Naomi, who is her what?

Mother-in-law: Ruth had married Naomi's son, and after both were widowed Ruth told Naomi 'where you go I will go'. Ruth later became the great-grandmother of King David.

When God offered King Solomon anything he wanted, what did Solomon ask for?

Wisdom: in 1 Kings 3 Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge his people. God was so pleased he gave him riches and honour as well, and Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem.

Which birds brought the prophet Elijah bread and meat while he hid by a brook?

Ravens: 1 Kings 17 says ravens brought Elijah bread and meat every morning and evening while he hid by the brook Cherith, and he drank from the brook until it dried up.

Esther became queen of which empire?

Persia: Esther became queen to King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), who ruled the Persian empire from his palace at Susa, and she exposed Haman's plot to destroy her people.

An angel announced the birth of Jesus to which group of people who were out in the fields at night?

They were terrified at first, but hurried off to find the baby and then told everyone what they had seen.

What guided the wise men to the place where the child Jesus was?

A bright star: Matthew 2 says the wise men followed the star they had seen in the east until it stopped over the place where the child was; they had first asked King Herod in Jerusalem.

How many disciples did Jesus choose to be his apostles?

The group included two pairs of brothers, Peter and Andrew and James and John, and a tax collector named Matthew.

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, what did the father do when he saw his son coming home?

Ran to hug him: Luke 15 says the father saw his son while still far off, ran to embrace and kiss him, then threw a feast with the best robe, a ring and a fattened calf.

In Jesus's parable of the lost sheep, how many sheep does the shepherd leave behind to search for the one?

He leaves the 99 in the open country, and when he finds the lost one he carries it home on his shoulders and throws a party.

What did Jesus say to calm the storm that was tossing his disciples' boat?

'Quiet! Be still!': Mark 4:39 says Jesus, woken from sleep on a cushion in the stern, rebuked the wind and told the sea 'Quiet! Be still!', and it became completely calm.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd welcomed him by waving what?

The people shouted 'Hosanna!' and spread their cloaks on the road, and the day is remembered a week before Easter.

On Easter morning, the angel at the empty tomb told the women that Jesus had done what?

Risen: in Matthew 28 the angel tells the women 'He is not here; he has risen, just as he said', invites them to see where he lay, then sends them running to tell the disciples.

On the road to which city did Saul, later called Paul, see a dazzling light and hear Jesus speak to him?

Damascus: Acts 9 says Saul was travelling to Damascus to arrest believers when a light from heaven blinded him for three days; he was led into the city, where Ananias prayed for him.

How many books are in the New Testament?

27: the New Testament has 27 books, beginning with the four Gospels; most of the rest are letters written to early churches.

In the Garden of Eden, which creature talked to Eve and tricked her into eating the fruit?

Genesis calls the serpent more crafty than any of the wild animals. It is the very first talking animal in the Bible.

Which bird did Noah send out from the ark that came back carrying an olive leaf?

A dove: Genesis 8 says Noah's dove returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf, showing the flood water was going down. A dove with an olive branch became a symbol of peace.

During Noah's flood, how many days and nights did the rain fall?

Forty is one of the Bible's favourite numbers: Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai and Jesus spent forty days in the desert too.

According to Genesis, God formed the first man out of what?

Dust of the ground: Genesis 2:7 says God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. The name Adam echoes adamah, Hebrew for ground.

After baby Jesus was born, where did his mother lay him down to sleep?

A manger is a feeding trough for animals, which is why the Christmas story is often pictured in a stable.

What was the name of Jesus's mother?

Mary: Luke 1 says an angel visited Mary, a young woman in Nazareth engaged to a carpenter named Joseph, and told her she would have a son and should call him Jesus.

Which angel came to Nazareth to tell Mary she would have a baby and should name him Jesus?

Gabriel: Luke 1 says the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth to tell Mary she would have a son and should name him Jesus; Gabriel had earlier announced John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah.

Who baptized Jesus in the River Jordan?

John: Matthew 3 says John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan, and as Jesus came up from the water a voice from heaven said 'This is my Son, whom I love'.

Which disciple got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus?

Peter: Matthew 14 says Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus, but began to sink when he saw the wind; Jesus reached out and caught him.

In Jesus's story of the two builders, what happened to the house that was built on sand?

It fell down with a great crash: in Matthew 7 the rain came, the streams rose and the winds beat on the house built on sand, and it fell with a great crash; the house on rock stood firm.

Which little boy heard God calling his name at night while he was lying down in the temple?

Samuel: 1 Samuel 3 says the boy Samuel, lying down in the temple at Shiloh, heard God call his name and three times ran to the old priest Eli before Eli realised it was God.

What happened when Jesus stood outside a tomb and shouted 'Lazarus, come out!'?

He walked out alive: John 11 says Jesus called 'Lazarus, come out!' and the dead man came out wrapped in strips of linen, and Jesus told the crowd to unwrap him.

What job did the brothers Simon Peter and Andrew have when Jesus first called them to follow him?

Fishermen: Matthew 4 says Simon Peter and Andrew were casting a net into the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called them, promising to make them fishers of people instead.

Which son of Adam and Eve kept sheep and was killed by his jealous brother?

Cain was the firstborn and a farmer, while his younger brother Abel kept sheep.

What did God do to the people building the Tower of Babel?

Confused their language: Genesis 11 says God confused the builders' speech so they could not understand one another, and they stopped building the city and scattered over the earth.

What did Lot's wife turn into when she looked back at Sodom?

A pillar of salt: Genesis 19:26 says Lot's wife looked back at Sodom as fire rained down and became a pillar of salt; a salt column by the Dead Sea is nicknamed Lot's Wife.

In Jacob's famous dream, what did he see reaching up to heaven?

A ladder: Genesis 28 says Jacob dreamed of a ladder set on the earth with its top reaching heaven and angels going up and down it, while he slept with a stone for a pillow.

What was strange about the bush Moses saw on Mount Horeb?

It burned but was not consumed: Exodus 3 says Moses saw the bush blazing with fire yet not burning up, and God spoke to him from it and sent him back to Egypt.

What did God tell Moses to take off before approaching the burning bush?

God explained that the ground Moses stood on was holy.

Who made the golden calf while Moses was up on the mountain?

Aaron: Exodus 32 says Aaron collected the people's gold earrings and cast them into a golden calf while Moses was up the mountain, and the people worshipped it.

Which prophet's animal spoke to him after he had beaten it three times?

Balaam's: Numbers 22 says Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the Lord blocking the road and turned aside three times; after Balaam beat it, God let the donkey speak.

How many men did Gideon lead to defeat the huge Midianite army?

300: Judges 7 says God cut Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men, those who lapped water from their hands, so Israel could not boast it had won by itself.

What did Gideon lay out overnight to test whether God was really with him?

A fleece: Judges 6 says Gideon laid a wool fleece on the threshing floor; one morning it was wet while the ground was dry, and the next morning the opposite happened.

What unusual weapon did Samson use to defeat a Philistine army?

A donkey's jawbone: Judges 15 says Samson found the fresh jawbone of a donkey and struck down a thousand Philistines with it.

Which woman had Samson's hair cut while he was sleeping?

Delilah: Judges 16 says Philistine rulers paid Delilah to learn the secret of Samson's strength; after he told her, she had his hair shaved while he slept on her lap.

What did Samson push over to bring down the Philistine temple?

Its pillars: Judges 16 says Samson braced himself against the two middle pillars holding up the temple of Dagon and pushed, bringing the roof down on the Philistines and himself.

Before he was king, what did young David do to calm King Saul whenever an evil spirit troubled him?

He played the lyre, a small harp, and Saul felt better; the same David is credited with many of the Psalms.

David was the youngest of how many sons of Jesse?

Eight: 1 Samuel 17:12 says Jesse had eight sons. Samuel passed over seven older brothers before anointing David, the youngest, who was out keeping the sheep.

From which Philistine city did the giant Goliath come?

Gath: 1 Samuel 17:4 introduces the champion as Goliath of Gath, one of the five Philistine cities; David later fled to Gath's king Achish while hiding from Saul.

How was the prophet Elijah taken up to heaven?

In a chariot of fire: 2 Kings 2:11 says a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, while his helper watched and picked up his fallen cloak.

Which prophet picked up Elijah's mantle after Elijah was taken up?

Elisha: 2 Kings 2 says Elisha picked up the mantle that fell from Elijah, struck the Jordan with it, and the water parted so he could cross back over.

In which river did Naaman wash seven times to be healed?

Jordan: 2 Kings 5 says Elisha told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan; Naaman grumbled that the rivers of Damascus, Abana and Pharpar, were better, but obeyed and was healed.

Who told Naaman's family that a prophet in Israel could heal him?

The girl had been captured from Israel and served Naaman's wife.

Where did Jonah try to sail to instead of going where God sent him?

Tarshish: Jonah 1:3 says Jonah went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish, far to the west, and paid the fare to flee from the Lord.

Which city did God tell Jonah to preach to?

Nineveh: Jonah 1:2 says God sent Jonah to Nineveh, the great Assyrian city on the Tigris, whose ruins lie opposite Mosul in Iraq; its people repented when he preached.

What Babylonian name was Daniel given?

Belteshazzar: Daniel 1:7 says the chief official renamed Daniel Belteshazzar, and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah became Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

What did King Nebuchadnezzar dream about that Daniel explained?

A giant statue: in Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a huge statue with a gold head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs and clay-mixed feet, smashed by a stone cut out without human hands.

At whose feast did a hand appear and write on the wall?

Belshazzar's: Daniel 5 says a hand wrote 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin' on the wall during King Belshazzar's feast; none of his wise men could read it, so the queen sent for Daniel.

How old was Methuselah, the oldest person in the Bible, when he died?

969: Genesis 5:27 says Methuselah lived 969 years, the longest lifespan recorded in the Bible; his name became a byword for great age.

How many years did Jacob agree to work for Laban to marry Rachel?

Seven: Genesis 29:18 says Jacob offered to serve Laban seven years for Rachel; tricked into marrying her older sister first, he then served seven more years for Rachel.

Which sister was Jacob tricked into marrying first?

Leah: Genesis 29 says Laban brought his older daughter Leah to the veiled wedding instead of Rachel, and Jacob did not discover the switch until morning.

How was Miriam related to Moses?

She is thought to be the sister who watched baby Moses floating in the Nile.

What did Aaron's rod turn into in front of Pharaoh?

A snake: Exodus 7:10 says Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and it became a snake, and it swallowed the staffs of Pharaoh's magicians that had done the same.

Caleb and Joshua were two of how many spies Moses sent into Canaan?

Twelve: Numbers 13 says Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, into Canaan for forty days; only Caleb and Joshua believed Israel could conquer the land.

Where did Rahab hide the two Israelite spies?

Under flax on her roof: Joshua 2:6 says Rahab took the two spies up to the roof and hid them under stalks of flax she had laid out there, then let them down the wall by a rope.

Deborah is the only woman in the Bible to hold which role?

Judge of Israel: Judges 4 says Deborah, a prophetess, judged Israel under a palm tree, the only woman among the judges; she told Barak that God commanded him to attack Sisera's army.

Who was the mother of the prophet Samuel?

Hannah: 1 Samuel 1 says Hannah prayed so silently and intensely at Shiloh for a son that the priest Eli thought she was drunk; she later dedicated Samuel to God's service.

What was Saul looking for when he first met the prophet Samuel?

Instead of donkeys he came home anointed as Israel's first king.

Who was the wicked wife of King Ahab?

Jezebel: 1 Kings 16 says Ahab married Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon; she promoted the worship of Baal in Israel and had the Lord's prophets killed.

How many psalms are in the Book of Psalms?

150: the Book of Psalms contains 150 psalms arranged in five books, and 73 of them carry the heading 'of David'.

Besides the stone tablets, what did the Ark of the Covenant hold?

Aaron's rod and a pot of manna: Hebrews 9:4 says the ark held the golden jar of manna, Aaron's staff that budded, and the stone tablets; God spoke to Moses from between the cherubim on its cover.

On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of which false god?

Baal: 1 Kings 18 says Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel; they shouted all day but no fire came, while fire from the Lord consumed Elijah's offering.

What did Elijah pour over his altar on Mount Carmel before fire fell from the sky?

Water: 1 Kings 18 says Elijah had four large jars of water poured over the offering and the wood three times, until it filled the trench, before fire fell from heaven.

On the mountain, how did God finally speak to Elijah?

In a still, small voice: 1 Kings 19 says a great wind, an earthquake and a fire passed by on Horeb, but the Lord was not in them; then came a still, small voice, a gentle whisper.

What never ran out for the widow of Zarephath after she fed Elijah?

Her flour and oil: 1 Kings 17 says the widow of Zarephath had only a handful of flour and a little oil for one last meal, yet after she fed Elijah the jar and jug never ran empty.

Which creature was the second plague on Egypt?

Frogs: Exodus 8 says the second plague brought frogs swarming out of the Nile into houses, bedrooms, ovens and even Pharaoh's palace.

How long did the plague of darkness cover Egypt?

Three days: Exodus 10:22 says thick darkness covered Egypt for three days, a darkness that could be felt, while the Israelites had light where they lived.

On which mountain did Moses die within sight of the Promised Land?

Mount Nebo: Deuteronomy 34 says Moses climbed Mount Nebo, saw the Promised Land from its summit, and died there aged 120 after forty years in the desert.

In Joseph's second dream, what bowed down to him?

The sun, moon and eleven stars: Genesis 37:9 says Joseph dreamed the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed to him; his father rebuked him, and his brothers took it to mean he would rule over them.

In Pharaoh's dream, seven thin animals of which kind ate seven fat ones?

Cows: Genesis 41 says Pharaoh dreamed seven thin cows came out of the Nile and ate seven fat ones; Joseph said it meant seven good years followed by seven years of famine.

Which twin did Isaac love best because he brought him wild game?

Esau: Genesis 25:28 says Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, while Rebekah loved Jacob, the quieter twin who stayed among the tents.

Who laughed when God promised that baby Isaac would be born?

Abraham and Sarah: Abraham laughed when God promised him a son (Genesis 17:17) and Sarah laughed at the tent door (Genesis 18:12); the name Isaac means 'he laughs'.

Who was Esther's cousin and guardian who refused to bow to Haman?

Mordecai: Esther 2-3 says Mordecai, who had raised his cousin Esther, refused to bow to Haman; Haman was so angry he plotted to kill every Jew in the kingdom.

Which Jewish holiday celebrates Esther saving her people?

Purim: named after the lots (purim) Haman cast, it is the festival of the Book of Esther; the Jews rested and feasted on the 14th of Adar, the day after defeating Haman's plot.

Which kind man did Ruth marry in Bethlehem?

Boaz: the Book of Ruth says Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's late husband, let Ruth glean in his fields and then married her as her family's kinsman-redeemer.

Ruth came from which country before moving to Bethlehem?

Her son Obed became the grandfather of King David.

On which day of creation did God make the sun and moon?

Fourth: Genesis 1:14-19 says God made the two great lights, the sun and moon, and the stars on the fourth day, though light itself had been created on the first.

What did Solomon order done to settle which of two women was a child's real mother?

Cut the baby in half: 1 Kings 3 says Solomon called for a sword to divide the living child between the two women; the real mother begged him to spare it, which revealed the truth.

What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?

Golgotha: Matthew, Mark and John name the place of the crucifixion Golgotha, meaning 'place of the skull', outside Jerusalem's walls; Calvary is the Latin-derived name for the same spot.

How many days had Lazarus been dead when Jesus called him from the tomb?

Four: John 11 says Lazarus had been in the tomb four days when Jesus arrived; his sisters Martha and Mary had sent for Jesus while he was still ill.

At the Last Supper, what did Jesus wash for his apostles?

Their feet: John 13 says Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist and washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper, then gave them a new commandment to love one another.

How many times did Jesus say Peter would deny him before the rooster crowed?

Three: Jesus told Peter 'before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times' (Matthew 26:34); when Peter heard the rooster after his third denial, he wept bitterly.

What appeared over the disciples' heads at Pentecost?

Tongues of fire: Acts 2 says a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, then tongues of fire rested on each disciple and they began to speak in other languages.

What was the apostle Peter's name before Jesus renamed him?

Simon became Peter, from the Greek for rock; Jesus said 'on this rock I will build my church', and the Aramaic form Cephas turns up in Paul's letters.

Judas betrayed Jesus to the chief priests for how many pieces of silver?

Thirty pieces of silver was the price, which Judas later threw back into the Temple; he pointed Jesus out to the soldiers with a kiss.

Which woman is honoured as the first witness to Jesus's resurrection?

Mary Magdalene: John 20 and Mark 16:9 say the risen Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene at the tomb, and she ran to tell the disciples, earning the title 'Apostle to the Apostles'.

What did John the Baptist eat in the wilderness?

Locusts and wild honey: Matthew 3:4 says John the Baptist wore clothes of camel's hair with a leather belt and ate locusts and wild honey in the wilderness of Judea.

How did Joseph learn that he should take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?

An angel in a dream: Matthew 2:13 says an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child because Herod wanted to kill him.

What kind of tree did Jesus curse for having leaves but no fruit?

A fig tree: Matthew 21:19 says Jesus, hungry on the road to Jerusalem, found a fig tree with leaves but no fruit, said it would never bear fruit again, and it withered.

What name is given to the 'Blessed are...' sayings in the Sermon on the Mount?

The Beatitudes: the 'Blessed are...' sayings that open the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, starting 'Blessed are the poor in spirit'; the name comes from Latin beatus, meaning blessed.

By which two opening words is the Lord's Prayer also known?

'Our Father' is how the prayer begins, which is why in Latin it is called the Pater Noster; Jesus taught it in the Sermon on the Mount.

In the parable of the sower, what happened to the seed that fell on the path?

Birds ate it: Matthew 13:4 says the seed that fell along the path was eaten by birds, which Jesus explained as the evil one snatching away the word before it took root.

In the parable of the talents, a talent was originally a unit of what?

Weight: a talent was an ancient unit of weight, roughly 34 kilograms (75 pounds); as money it meant that weight of silver or gold, a huge sum worth many years of wages.

In Jesus's parable, what comes to rest in the branches of the grown mustard plant?

Birds: Matthew 13:32 says the mustard seed grows into a tree so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches; black mustard can reach about 9 feet tall.

Of the ten lepers Jesus healed, how many came back to say thank you?

The one who returned was a Samaritan, a foreigner.

What was wrong with Bartimaeus, the beggar Jesus healed near Jericho?

He was blind: Mark 10:46 says blind Bartimaeus sat begging by the road near Jericho, shouted 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' despite the crowd, and Jesus restored his sight.

How many small coins did the poor widow put in the Temple treasury?

Two: Mark 12:42 says the poor widow put in two small copper coins worth a penny, and Jesus said she gave more than the rich because she gave all she had to live on.

In the parable of the ten virgins, what did five of them run out of?

Oil for their lamps: Matthew 25 says five foolish bridesmaids brought no extra oil, and while they went to buy more the bridegroom arrived and the door was shut.

How did the friends of a paralysed man get him to Jesus in a crowded house?

Through a hole in the roof: Mark 2:4 says the four friends dug through the roof above Jesus and lowered the man on his mat; Jesus forgave him and told him to get up and walk home.

What was Jairus's job in the story of Jesus raising his daughter?

Synagogue ruler: Mark 5:22 says Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue who begged Jesus to heal his dying twelve-year-old daughter; Jesus said 'Talitha koum' and she got up.

Which two Old Testament figures appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration?

Moses and Elijah: Matthew 17 says Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus on the mountain as his face shone like the sun, and Peter offered to build three shelters.

Before the devil tempted him, Jesus fasted alone in the desert for how many days?

Forty days, the same stretch the season of Lent lasts; the number echoes the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness.

After his desert fast, Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn stones into what?

Bread was the temptation for a starving man; Jesus replied that 'man shall not live by bread alone', and was next urged to leap from the top of the Temple.

Which apostle refused to believe Jesus was alive until he saw the wounds?

His doubt gave English the phrase 'a doubting Thomas'.

Which disciple is named as walking to Emmaus when the risen Jesus joined him?

Cleopas: Luke 24:18 names Cleopas as one of the two travellers to Emmaus; they recognised the risen Jesus only when he broke bread with them at supper.

How did Stephen, the first Christian martyr, die?

He was stoned: Acts 7 says the crowd dragged Stephen out of Jerusalem and stoned him to death, laying their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul, later the apostle Paul.

Philip the Evangelist baptised an important official from which country?

Ethiopia: Acts 8 says Philip met an Ethiopian official, treasurer to Queen Candace, reading Isaiah in his chariot on the desert road to Gaza, explained it, and baptised him.

What fell from Saul's eyes when Ananias laid hands on him and his sight returned?

Something like scales: Acts 9:18 says that when Ananias laid hands on Saul, something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see again, and he was baptised.

What was the job of Cornelius, one of the first non-Jews to become a Christian?

Roman centurion: Acts 10 says Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment stationed in Caesarea, sent for Peter after seeing an angel in a vision, and his whole household was baptised.

When did Nicodemus first come to talk with Jesus?

At night: John 3:2 says Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish council, came to Jesus by night, and Jesus told him a person must be born again.

Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well near which town?

Sychar: John 4:5 says Jesus stopped at Jacob's well near the Samaritan town of Sychar, offered the woman 'living water', and she ran to tell the whole town.

What freed Paul and Silas from prison in Philippi?

An earthquake: Acts 16:26 says a violent earthquake shook the Philippi jail at midnight as Paul and Silas sang hymns; every door flew open and the chains came loose.

Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe, sold what?

Purple cloth: Acts 16:14 says Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, listened to Paul by the river at Philippi and was baptised with her household.

Who was made to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to the crucifixion?

Simon of Cyrene: Mark 15:21 says the soldiers forced Simon, a passer-by from Cyrene and father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross; the scene is the fifth Station of the Cross.

Jesus nicknamed the brothers James and John 'Boanerges', meaning what?

Sons of Thunder: Mark 3:17 says Jesus gave James and John, the sons of Zebedee, the name Boanerges, meaning Sons of Thunder; they once asked to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54).

Which apostle was a tax collector before Jesus called him?

Matthew: Matthew 9:9 says Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth and said 'Follow me'; the Gospels of Mark and Luke call him Levi.

In which city was the apostle Paul born?

Tarsus: Acts 22:3 has Paul say 'I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia'; he was also a Roman citizen by birth, which protected him during his trials.

Which is the last book of the New Testament?

Revelation: the last book of the New Testament, written by a man named John while exiled on the island of Patmos; it describes visions of the end of the world and a new heaven and earth.

What animal did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?

A donkey: Matthew 21 says Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy of a king coming gentle and riding on a donkey, while the crowd shouted 'Hosanna'.

Jesus told a man born blind to wash in which pool after putting mud on his eyes?

Siloam: John 9:7 says Jesus told the man born blind to wash in the Pool of Siloam, a name John explains as meaning 'Sent', and he came back seeing.

Barnabas, Paul's travelling companion, came from which island?

Cyprus: Acts 4:36 says Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus; he and Paul sailed there on their first missionary journey, and tradition says he died at Salamis on the island.

Which king is described in the Bible as ordering the Massacre of the Innocents?

Herod the Great: Matthew 2:16 says King Herod, furious at being tricked by the wise men, ordered all boys two and under in Bethlehem killed; he also rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem.

Which king did the Queen of Sheba travel to Jerusalem to visit?

Solomon answered all her hard questions; he was David's son, and the Bible says his wisdom drew visitors from every nation.

In which garden, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, did Jesus pray and get arrested the night before he died?

Gethsemane: the name means 'oil press', and Matthew 26 says Jesus prayed there 'not as I will, but as you will' before Judas arrived with an armed crowd.

After wrestling with a mysterious man all night, Jacob was given what new name?

Israel: Genesis 32:28 says the stranger told Jacob 'your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome'; Jacob named the place Peniel.

Which island was Paul stranded on after a shipwreck on his journey to Rome?

Malta: Acts 28:1 says the survivors learned the island was called Malta; tradition places the wreck at St Paul's Bay, after fourteen days of storm during which nobody had eaten.

When an angel came to free Peter from King Herod's prison, what fell off him?

His chains: Acts 12:7 says an angel woke Peter in Herod's prison and the chains fell off his wrists; the iron gate opened by itself and Peter thought he was seeing a vision.

Martha and her sister Mary lived with their brother Lazarus in which village near Jerusalem?

Bethany: John 11:1 says Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem; Luke 10 tells of Martha busy serving while Mary sat listening to Jesus.

Jonathan, David's closest friend, was the eldest son of which king?

Saul: 1 Samuel 14:49 lists Jonathan as King Saul's eldest son; he and David made a covenant of loyalty, and David's lament called them swifter than eagles and stronger than lions.