Can You Name These Influential People From the Bible With Three Hints?

Tasha Moore

Image: broadcastertr/Moment/GettyImages

About This Quiz

You're in for a treat! Here's a rare chance to explore the Bible players who made a huge impact on the Christian world as we know it today. We give you three facts, and you have to give the influential name linked to the hints. These standalone facts will make you think really hard about each person's contributions to the Christian faith.

Folks like John the Baptist, King Saul and Elijah literally paved the way for Jesus, King David and Elisha, respectively. After taking this quiz, their direct connections will become as clear as the heavenly blue skies. Of course, there are certain details shown here about some influential figures that aren't so venerable, but the good and the not-so-good facts all paint a very human picture that everyone from all walks of life can appreciate.

There's a nice balance of New and Old Testament questions on this test. We even help you trace related facts between both of these biblical hemispheres. For instance, did you know that Elijah from the Old Testament gave the most prophecies of the Messiah who eventually comes around in the New Testament? And by now, you should know who the New Testament Messiah is (It's Jesus!).

Scroll on to behold other interconnections shared between Old and New Testaments!

Hannah was his mother, he became Jehovah's prophet and priest and he was Israel's last judge. Who is this influential figure in the Bible?

Samuel was the first prophet and the last judge of the Israelites. He was well respected by the people.

He was the first high priest of God in Israel and the brother of Moses and Miriam. He was Moses's mouthpiece. Who was this person?

Aaron was very articulate; God used him to speak for Moses to the Pharaoh in Egypt. Aaron was the first priest among the Israelites.

He was the eleventh of Jacob's twelve sons and the firstborn of Rachel. He was known for his personal integrity and prepared for a nation to survive famine. Who is this biblical figure?

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, and he was hated by his brothers. When Joseph was in Egypt, he was successful at preparing the nation for a time of famine.

God chose him to deliver the Israelites out of slavery. God's almighty delivering power was manifested through his leadership. He obeyed God and instituted the Passover. Who was this person?

God chose Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. God manifested His Almighty power through Moses when he parted the Red Sea.

God commissioned him to succeed Moses. He successfully led the Israelites into the Promised Land and encouraged the Israelites to keep the law of Moses and to serve God. Who is this influential person from the Bible?

God chose Joshua to take over leadership after Moses died. Joshua encouraged the Israelites to keep all the laws that Moses had established previously.

He revived the life of a widow's son, initiated the showdown at Mount Carmel with the false prophets of Baal and a whirlwind took him up to heaven. Who was this person?

Elijah was a prophet. The widow of Zarephath provided food for Elijah during a famine, and in return for the favor, he revived the life of her son.

He divided the waters of the Jordan River and restored the life of the Shunammite's son. He healed Naaman the leper. Who was he?

Elisha was Elijah's protege. Elisha was a prophet whose performance of miracles was beyond his personal power.

He was the first king of Israel. God rejected him for his disobedience. He disobeyed God's command to utterly destroy Amalek. Who was Israel's first king?

Under the rulership of Samuel, who was a judge, the Israelites desired a king. The people chose Saul to be the first king.

He succeeded Saul as king over Israel. God rejected his plan to build a Temple, and he committed adultery and murder. Who is this influential person from the Bible?

David succeeded Saul as king of Israel. In spite of his sin, he was known as a man after God's own heart because he had a repentant spirit.

He was the son of David and Bathsheba. He succeeded David as king. He asked God for an understanding heart. Who was this former king?

Solomon contributed to writing the biblical books of Proverbs, Songs of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. Solomon was the last king of the united kingdom of Israel.

He reigned for twenty-nine years as king of Judah, and God added fifteen more years to his life. He showed Babylon all his treasures. Who is this influential person from the Bible?

Hezekiah was wise enough to seek God in prayer for healing his body. But he was unwise when he revealed his wealth to the Babylonians, his enemies.

He was the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and practiced religious apostasy. He coveted Naboth's vineyard. Who was he?

Ahab was incited by his wife Jezebel to uphold her desire to worship idol gods. God perceived Ahab to be the evilest king of all who came before him.

She was King Ahab's queen. Prophets of Baal and Asherah ate at her table. She killed prophets of the Lord. Who was she?

Jezebel was a self-interested queen and wife to King Ahab. She was known to worship false gods.

He resolved not to eat the king's food, was given the Chaldean name Belteshazzar and interpreted handwriting on the wall. Who was this influential person from the Bible?

Daniel served as a praying prophet to the exiles in Babylon. Daniel prayed three times a day.

He had the "Valley of Dry Bones" vision, and he revealed the "Parable of the Boiling Pot" and the "Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine." Who was he?

Ezekiel was a prophet to the exiled Israelites. His visions were about the condition of Israel, and he gave visions of an unchangeable Holy God.

He ministered during the reigns of the last five kings of Judah. He asked, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" His gloomy prophecies caused him to be threatened with death. Who was he?

Jeremiah was a prophet who spoke the words of the Lord despite personal threats. He gave hope to his exiled people by purchasing land in the ruins of Jerusalem to encourage their return.

He was son of Amoz. He encouraged King Hezekiah not to fear Sennacherib. He saw a vision of the Lord during the year that King Uzziah died. Who is this influential person of the Bible?

Isaiah is known as the "eagle-eye" prophet because his prophecies extended so far into the future. He gave the most prophecies about the coming Messiah.

He was a tax collector, and Jesus ate at his house with publicans. He was son of Alphaeus. Who was this person?

Matthew was despised by his people because he was a tax collector. However, his professional skills were useful when he recorded the life of Jesus.

He accompanied Saul and Barnabas on a missionary journey, and he abandoned Paul and his companions on the journey. Paul considered him to be useful for service. Who was this man?

Mark was one of Jesus's disciples. He was also referred to as "John" and "John Mark."

He authored the Book of Acts, and Paul referred to him as "the beloved physician." He was one of Paul's fellow workers. Who was he?

Luke was a compassionate and faithful companion to Paul. He authored the biblical books Luke and Acts.

He was son of Zebedee and brother of James, and he was one of three apostles closest to Jesus. He and his brother were surnamed "Boanerges," which means "sons of thunder." Who was this thunderous individual?

Jesus entrusted his mother to John the Apostle when he was crucified. John was also known as "the beloved disciple."

He was appointed treasurer for the disciples. When Jesus was anointed at Bethany, he pretended concern for the poor. He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Who was this influential person?

Judas Iscariot was the only one of the main twelve disciples who did not become an apostle. Out of remorse for betraying Jesus, he committed suicide.

He was a forerunner of Jesus. He preached a message of repentance, and Herod the Tetrarch beheaded him. Who was this person?

John the Baptist's message to the people of Israel was uncompromising. He preached that all must repent.

He was a priest, and the angel Gabriel struck him dumb. He was John the Baptist's father. Who was this person?

Zacharias was so overcome with disbelief when the angel Gabriel informed him that he would have a son at his old age that he became mute. Upon the birth of his son John the Baptist, Zacharias regained his speech and praised the Most High God.

She was Mary's (Jesus's mother) cousin and the mother of John the Baptist. She was filled with the Holy Spirit. Who was she?

Elizabeth had passed the childbearing age and was stigmatized for not having any children. The birth of her son brought her great joy.

He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. He asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old?" He assisted with the burial of Jesus. Who was this person?

Nicodemus's peers were vehemently against Jesus. He secretly approached Jesus to ask about eternal life.

He was a high priest during the reign of Tiberius Caesar and prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation. He tried to prevent the true resurrection story from being told. Who was this influential person?

Caiaphas was one of the high priests who was instrumental in convicting Jesus. He did not realize he was being used by God as a prophet when he told the people that Jesus was going to die for the nation.

Jesus cast seven demons from her. She followed Jesus's body to the grave and was the first to learn of Jesus's Resurrection. Who was this person?

Mary Magdalene became a faithful disciple who was loved by Jesus. She went to his grave to anoint his body after his crucifixion.

He was one of the twelve apostles. He was the disciple who doubted. Jesus appeared before him as proof that he had risen from the dead. Who is this influential person from the Bible?

Thomas secured the nickname "Doubting Thomas" because he believed that Jesus had risen only after he saw proof of his crucifixion for himself. Thomas was one of the original twelve disciples.

He was one of the seven deacons first to be appointed by the early church and was described as a "man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit." While being stoned to death, he asked that his attackers be forgiven. Who was this person?

Stephen is considered the first Christian martyr. His death was not in vain, as the Church continued to grow.

He was in active opposition to Christianity and studied under Gamaliel. He was converted on the road to Damascus. Who was this man?

Saul was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a fervent preacher of Jesus Christ. As a persecutor, he believed that he was servicing God.

During his first missionary trip, he converted Elymas. There was sharp contention between him and Barnabas on their second missionary journey. The ministry at Ephesus began with his third missionary journey. Who was he?

Aside from Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul is considered the greatest missionary that there ever was. Through his missionary journeys, the word of God grew and prevailed.

He was an Italian centurion from Caesarea. An angel of God appeared to him in a vision, and he sent men to Joppa in search of Peter to come preach. Who is this influential person from the Bible?

Although he was not a Jew, Cornelius was a God-fearing man. He wanted a better understanding of the ways of God.

He was an early friend and coworker of Paul. He worked with Paul at Antioch and accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. Who was he?

Although Barnabas and Paul were at odds after their first missionary journey, they ultimately reconciled their differences. In the end, the two of them shared forgiveness and understanding.

He was a prominent member of the Jerusalem church and was imprisoned with Paul. He was among those sent by the church council at Jerusalem to deliver a letter to the church at Antioch. Who was he?

The Jerusalem Council could depend on Silas to execute matters of the church. The Holy Spirit led him to accompany Paul on a missionary journey to revisit the churches at Galatia.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes