Gospels
124 study questions and answers, quoted from the Revised Version (1885/1895).
Which three Gospels are called Synoptic, and why?
Matthew, Mark and Luke — they "see together," sharing much common material and order.
Matt; Mark; Luke
To whom is each Gospel especially addressed?
Matthew to Jews (Christ the King), Mark to Romans (the Servant), Luke to Greeks (the Son of Man), John to all (the Son of God).
Matt 1:1; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10; John 20:31
What is the stated purpose of John's Gospel?
That you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing have life in his name.
John 20:31
How does John's Gospel open?
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:1
What does John 1:14 declare about the Word?
"The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" — the doctrine of the Incarnation.
John 1:14
How many women are named in Matthew's genealogy, and who?
Four before Mary: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and "her that had been the wife of Uriah."
Matt 1:3-6
What did the angel say Jesus' name would mean?
"He shall save his people from their sins."
Matt 1:21
What does "Immanuel" mean?
"God with us."
Matt 1:23
What is Mary's song called, and what does it celebrate?
The Magnificat — God exalting the humble and scattering the proud.
Luke 1:46-55
What two songs frame Luke's nativity besides the Magnificat?
Zacharias' Benedictus and Simeon's Nunc Dimittis.
Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32
What sign was given to the shepherds?
A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:12
What three gifts did the wise men bring, and what has tradition read into them?
Gold (kingship), frankincense (deity/priesthood), myrrh (burial and suffering).
Matt 2:11
What is the only recorded event of Jesus' boyhood?
At twelve, in the temple among the teachers: "wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
Luke 2:41-49
What did John the Baptist preach, and what did he call Jesus?
Repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Matt 3:2; John 1:29
What happened at Jesus' baptism?
The Spirit descended as a dove and the Father spoke — one of Scripture's clearest Trinitarian scenes.
Matt 3:16-17
How did Jesus answer each of the three temptations?
With Scripture — "It is written" — each time quoting Deuteronomy.
Matt 4:4, 7, 10; Deut 8:3; 6:16; 6:13
What are the Beatitudes?
The eight (or nine) blessings opening the Sermon on the Mount, describing the character of kingdom citizens.
Matt 5:3-12
What two images did Jesus give his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount?
Salt of the earth and light of the world.
Matt 5:13-16
What is the Golden Rule?
"All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them."
Matt 7:12
What did Jesus say he came to do with the Law?
Not to destroy but to fulfil it.
Matt 5:17
How many petitions are in the Lord's Prayer?
Six (or seven, depending on division) — three concerning God's name, kingdom and will, then bread, forgiveness, and deliverance.
Matt 6:9-13
What was Jesus' first recorded miracle, and where?
Turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee.
John 2:1-11
How many named "signs" structure John's Gospel?
Seven, from Cana to the raising of Lazarus.
John 2-11
List the seven "I AM" sayings of John's Gospel.
Bread of life; light of the world; the door; the good shepherd; the resurrection and the life; the way, the truth, and the life; the true vine.
John 6:35; 8:12; 10:9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1
What did Jesus tell Nicodemus was necessary to see the kingdom?
To be born again — born of water and of the Spirit.
John 3:3-5
Which verse is often called the gospel in miniature?
John 3:16 — "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."
John 3:16
What did Jesus tell the Samaritan woman God seeks?
Worshippers who worship in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24
How many disciples did Jesus choose, and why that number?
Twelve, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel — a new covenant people.
Mark 3:14; Matt 19:28
What is the shortest verse in the Bible, and where?
"Jesus wept," at the tomb of Lazarus.
John 11:35
What are the parables of Luke 15?
The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (prodigal) son — three pictures of God's joy over one sinner repenting.
Luke 15
What question prompted the parable of the Good Samaritan?
"And who is my neighbour?"
Luke 10:29
What did Jesus tell Martha was needful?
One thing — the good part Mary had chosen, sitting at his feet.
Luke 10:41-42
What confession did Peter make at Caesarea Philippi?
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matt 16:16
What new commandment did Jesus give in the upper room?
"That ye love one another; even as I have loved you."
John 13:34
What act of service did Jesus perform at the Last Supper?
He washed the disciples' feet.
John 13:4-15
Who is the Comforter Jesus promised?
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, sent from the Father.
John 14:16-17, 26
What did Jesus pray three times in Gethsemane?
That the cup might pass — "nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Matt 26:39
What are the seven sayings of Christ from the cross?
Forgiveness for his killers; paradise to the thief; care of his mother; the cry of dereliction; "I thirst"; "It is finished"; and commending his spirit.
Luke 23:34, 43, 46; John 19:26-30; Matt 27:46
What happened to the temple veil at Jesus' death?
It was rent in two from the top to the bottom.
Matt 27:51
Who first saw the risen Christ?
Mary Magdalene, at the tomb.
John 20:14-16; Mark 16:9
What did Thomas say when he saw the risen Christ?
"My Lord and my God" — the Gospel's climactic confession of Christ's deity.
John 20:28
What is the Great Commission?
To go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching, with the promise of Christ's presence to the end of the age.
Matt 28:19-20
Who was the aged man told he would not die before seeing the Christ?
Simeon, who then sang the Nunc Dimittis.
Luke 2:25-32
Which aged prophetess spoke of the child in the temple?
Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser.
Luke 2:36-38
Why did the holy family flee to Egypt?
Herod sought the young child's life; it fulfilled 'Out of Egypt have I called my son.'
Matt 2:13-15
What was John the Baptist's clothing and food?
Camel's hair with a leathern girdle; locusts and wild honey.
Matt 3:4
What did John say must happen to him and to Christ?
'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
John 3:30
Who were the first disciples called by the sea?
Simon Peter and Andrew, then James and John.
Matt 4:18-22
What did Jesus say about salt that loses savour?
It is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot.
Matt 5:13
What did Jesus teach about giving alms?
Do not sound a trumpet; let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.
Matt 6:2-3
What are the two masters of Matthew 6?
God and mammon — no man can serve both.
Matt 6:24
What should be sought first?
'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.'
Matt 6:33
What two builders close the Sermon on the Mount?
The wise man on rock and the foolish man on sand.
Matt 7:24-27
Whose faith did Jesus say he had not found in Israel?
The centurion's, who said 'speak the word only.'
Matt 8:10
How did Jesus still the storm, and what did the disciples ask?
He rebuked wind and sea; they asked, 'What manner of man is this?'
Matt 8:26-27
What did Jesus say about the harvest and labourers?
'The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.'
Matt 9:37
What invitation does Matthew 11 give the weary?
'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'
Matt 11:28
What sin did Jesus call unforgivable?
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
Matt 12:31
What four soils appear in the parable of the sower?
The wayside, stony places, among thorns, and good ground.
Matt 13:3-8
What two small parables describe the kingdom's worth?
The treasure hid in a field and the pearl of great price.
Matt 13:44-46
Who appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration?
Moses and Elias, talking with him.
Matt 17:3
How often did Jesus say to forgive?
'Until seventy times seven.'
Matt 18:22
Where is Christ present among two or three?
'There am I in the midst of them,' gathered in his name.
Matt 18:20
What did the rich young ruler lack?
One thing — to sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow Christ.
Matt 19:21
What did Jesus say about the camel and the needle's eye?
It is easier than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God — but with God all things are possible.
Matt 19:24-26
What are the two great commandments?
Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Matt 22:37-39
What did Jesus call the weightier matters of the law?
Judgment, mercy, and faith.
Matt 23:23
What sign did Jesus give of the end of the age in Matthew 24?
The gospel of the kingdom preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.
Matt 24:14
What three parables of readiness fill Matthew 25?
The ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.
Matt 25
What did the King say the righteous had done to him?
'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'
Matt 25:40
What did Jesus say the Son of man came to give?
'His life a ransom for many.'
Mark 10:45
What did the poor widow cast into the treasury?
Two mites — all her living, which Jesus said exceeded all the rest.
Mark 12:42-44
What miraculous catch preceded Peter's call in Luke?
A net-breaking draught after launching into the deep, at which Peter said, 'Depart from me.'
Luke 5:4-8
Which woman anointed Jesus' feet and was told her sins were forgiven?
A woman of the city who was a sinner, in the house of Simon the Pharisee.
Luke 7:37-48
What did Jesus tell the seventy to rejoice in?
Not that spirits were subject to them, but that their names were written in heaven.
Luke 10:20
What did the rich fool forget?
That his soul would be required of him that night.
Luke 12:20
What did the prodigal's father do while he was yet a great way off?
He had compassion, ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:20
What did the publican pray in the temple?
'God be merciful to me a sinner' — and he went down justified rather than the Pharisee.
Luke 18:13-14
What did Jesus say the Son of man came to do in Luke 19:10?
'To seek and to save that which was lost.'
Luke 19:10
What did Jesus say to the penitent thief?
'To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.'
Luke 23:43
What happened on the road to Emmaus?
The risen Christ expounded Moses and all the prophets, and was known in breaking of bread.
Luke 24:27-31
What did John the Baptist say seeing Jesus approach?
'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'
John 1:29
What did Jesus say about destroying 'this temple'?
He spoke of the temple of his body, raised in three days.
John 2:19-21
What did Jesus say about worship in spirit and truth?
The Father seeks such to worship him, for God is a Spirit.
John 4:23-24
What did Jesus say makes men free?
'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'
John 8:32
What claim in John 8 made them take up stones?
'Before Abraham was, I am.'
John 8:58
What did Jesus say to Martha before raising Lazarus?
'I am the resurrection, and the life.'
John 11:25
What must a corn of wheat do to bring forth fruit?
Fall into the ground and die.
John 12:24
By what did Jesus say all men would know his disciples?
'If ye have love one to another.'
John 13:35
What is the vine-and-branches lesson?
'Without me ye can do nothing' — abiding is the condition of fruit.
John 15:5
What did Jesus pray for in John 17?
That his people be one, kept from evil, and sanctified through the truth.
John 17:11,15,17
What did Jesus answer Pilate about his kingdom?
'My kingdom is not of this world.'
John 18:36
What were Jesus' words of completion on the cross?
'It is finished' — a single Greek word, tetelestai.
John 19:30
What threefold question did Jesus ask Peter by the sea?
'Lovest thou me?' — restoring him with 'Feed my lambs... my sheep.'
John 21:15-17
Why does Matthew structure his Gospel in five discourses?
To present Jesus as the new Moses giving a new Torah.
Matt 5-7; 10; 13; 18; 24-25
What is unusual about the women in Matthew's genealogy?
Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba are all outsiders or associated with scandal.
Matt 1:3-6
What does Mark's 'messianic secret' refer to?
Jesus repeatedly silencing demons and healed people about his identity.
Mark 1:34; 8:30
Who is the first human in Mark to call Jesus the Son of God?
The centurion at the cross, seeing how he died.
Mark 15:39
What is distinctive about Luke's interest?
The poor, women, Samaritans, tax collectors and outsiders.
Luke 4:18; 7:37; 10:33; 19:2
What did Mary's Magnificat announce about social order?
That God puts down the mighty and exalts the lowly, filling the hungry and sending the rich empty away.
Luke 1:52-53
Why does John have no parables and no exorcisms?
His method is extended discourse and sign, presenting Christ's identity directly.
John 3; 6; 14-17
What does the prologue of John claim about the Word?
He was in the beginning with God, was God, and all things were made by him.
John 1:1-3
What does John mean by 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us'?
That God took a full human nature and pitched his tent among his people.
John 1:14
What was the first thing Jesus preached?
'Repent ye, and believe the gospel: the kingdom of God is at hand.'
Mark 1:15
How does Jesus define greatness in the kingdom?
By becoming least and servant of all, like a child.
Mark 9:35-37
What is the point of the parable of the labourers in the vineyard?
That God's generosity is not injustice, though it offends those who calculate desert.
Matt 20:1-16
What does the parable of the unforgiving servant teach?
That one forgiven an unpayable debt cannot withhold forgiveness of a trivial one.
Matt 18:23-35
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
So that seeing they might not see — revealing to the receptive and concealing from the hardened.
Mark 4:11-12; Isa 6:9-10
What did Jesus say defiles a person?
Not what enters the mouth but what proceeds out of the heart.
Mark 7:15-23
What did Jesus mean by taking up the cross?
A daily readiness to die to self and follow, using the image of a condemned man's walk.
Luke 9:23
What was the sign of Jonah Jesus offered?
Three days and nights, as Jonah in the fish, so the Son of man in the heart of the earth.
Matt 12:39-40
What happened at Caesarea Philippi after Peter's confession?
Jesus began to teach that he must suffer, and rebuked Peter as Satan for resisting it.
Mark 8:31-33
What did Jesus teach about the widow's mite?
That she cast in more than all, giving of her want rather than her abundance.
Mark 12:43-44
What did the triumphal entry signify?
A deliberate enactment of Zechariah 9:9 — a king coming lowly, riding on an ass.
Matt 21:4-5
What did Jesus predict about the temple?
That not one stone would be left upon another.
Mark 13:2
What is the significance of the Last Supper being a Passover?
Jesus reinterprets the exodus meal around his own body and blood.
Luke 22:15-20
What did Jesus say about the cup at the supper?
'This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.'
Luke 22:20
What was Jesus' charge before the Sanhedrin?
Blasphemy, after affirming he was the Christ and would be seen at the right hand of power.
Mark 14:61-64
Why did the Jewish leaders bring Jesus to Pilate?
Because they lacked authority to execute, and shifted the charge from blasphemy to sedition.
John 18:31; Luke 23:2
What did Pilate write on the cross, and in what languages?
'JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS,' in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
John 19:19-20
What did the women find at the tomb?
The stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and angels declaring he is risen.
Luke 24:2-6
What did the risen Christ do to prove he was not a spirit?
He showed his hands and feet and ate a piece of broiled fish before them.
Luke 24:39-43
What commission does John's Gospel record after the resurrection?
'As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you,' with the breathing of the Spirit.
John 20:21-22
How does John's Gospel end?
By noting that the world could not contain the books if all Jesus did were written.
John 21:25