Do You Know More About the Bible Than the Average American?

By: Isadora Teich
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Do You Know More About the Bible Than the Average American?
Image: bauhaus1000/DigitalVision Vectors/gettyimages

About This Quiz

The Bible has had untold influence on the world and is the holy book of hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but that doesn't mean that most people know its ins and outs. The Bible is complex, dense, lengthy, and full of countless characters and events. Both the New and Old Testaments have their complexities, which can make getting started on reading them seem overwhelming. For this reason, even many people who consider themselves Christian or Catholic have not gotten around to tackling their holy book yet. 

Due to the Bible's influence, you don't necessarily have to have read it to know something about it. Its themes can be seen throughout literature, film, and art over and over again. Whether you have ever been to church personally or not, there is a good chance you know a little bit at least about Jesus Christ. The average American might struggle to go much deeper than generalities, though. 

If you are on good terms with the man upstairs or think you have a better handle on the stories of the Bible than the average American, put your knowledge of Christendom's holy books to the test with this very biblical HowStuffWorks quiz.   

What was unique about Mary, who gave birth to Jesus?
She was 8 feet tall
She was a virgin
She was a genius
She was very old
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary is the mother of Jesus. This birth was unique because she was a virgin when she gave birth to him.

Advertisement

Which of these people built an ark?
Jacob
Omri
Solomon
Noah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Noah built an Ark at God's request. He put his family and two of each animal on it to save them from the flood.

Advertisement

Finish the verse: "For the wages of sin is ___________, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
death
lust
corruption
love
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Death is the correct answer. This comes from Romans 6:23.

Advertisement

Who betrayed Jesus?
Judas
David
Simon
Lazarus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Judas betrayed Jesus for silver pieces. This led to Jesus' crucifixion.

Advertisement

Who defeated Goliath?
David
Jacob
Thomas
Bartholomew
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before he was King of Israel, a young David defeated the large Philistine Goliath in battle. He did it using his wits and a slingshot.

Advertisement

In which area of the world do most of the Bible's stories occur?
Middle East
North America
Southeast Asia
Europe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The events of the Bible occur largely in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Today its characters and events would be considered to be related to countries like Iraq, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Advertisement

What is the first book of the Bible called?
Numbers
Revelation
Genesis
Deuteronomy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament. It begins in the Garden of Eden and tells a mythological version of the story of early man.

Advertisement

What did Jesus famously turn water into?
beer
gold
honey
wine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the first of Jesus' miracles described in the Gospel of John. At the Wedding of Cana he turns water into wine.

Advertisement

Finish the psalm: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no _________."
evil
trickery
light
calamity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a part of Psalm 23:4. It reads "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Advertisement

How many apostles did Jesus have?
six
nine
12
20
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus had 12 apostles. Their names were Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thaddeus, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Matthew, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas.

Advertisement

What religion was Jesus born into?
Islam
Christianity
Judaism
Buddhism
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus was initially born into a Jewish family. He grew up practicing Judaism.

Advertisement

Which book of the Bible is after Numbers?
Deuteronomy
Ruth
Colossians
Hebrews
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Numbers is the fourth book in the Old Testament. It is followed by Deuteronomy.

Advertisement

What is the first book of the Bible?
Mark
Luke
Genesis
Revelation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Genesis is the first book of the Bible. In this book, God creates the earth, animal, and man.

Advertisement

Finish the psalm: "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not ______ against you."
speak
make
sin
walk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is from Psalm 119:11. It reads: "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

Advertisement

What is the last book of the Bible?
Philemon
Revelation
Acts
Esther
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Revelation is the last book of the New Testament. It is also called the Revelation to John and the Apocalypse of John.

Advertisement

What is the name of Jacob's brother?
Esau
Solomon
Luke
Lazarus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jacob and Esau are brothers, the sons of Isaac. They fight for dominance and Jacob ends up taking what was meant for his older brother.

Advertisement

What is the last book of the Old Testament?
Luke
Thessalonians
Genesis
Malachi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. The Old Testament closes with a passage about how God thinks it is important to love your family.

Advertisement

What did King Solomon ask God to give him?
love
strength
wisdom
fame
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Solomon asked God for the wisdom to rule his people. In return God said he would give him more wisdom than any man has ever had or will have again.

Advertisement

What item of clothing did Joseph have that made his brothers jealous?
shoes
a hat
jewelry
a coat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. He gave him a coat, which made all of his brothers jealous.

Advertisement

Jonah was swallowed by the big fish while he was trying to escape _______.
war
famine
slavery
God's orders
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

God asked Jonah to go preach in a city he did not want to go to. In order to get out of it, Jonah tried to sail away and ended up being brought back to land by a large fish.

Advertisement

What animal did Noah send from the ark first?
fish
birds
snakes
lions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Initially Noah sent two birds from the ark. First a raven and then a dove.

Advertisement

In Luke, a woman cleans Jesus' feet using what?
soap
well water
her tears
silver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Luke is a book from the New Testament. In it, a woman cleans Jesus' feet with her tears and her hair.

Advertisement

What happened when Jesus died?
an earthquake
a plague
a flood
flaming hail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Matthew, three things happened when Jesus died. These were an earthquake, a torn veil in the temple, and tombs breaking open.

Advertisement

Finish the verse: "I can do all things through him who ____________ me."
maims
loves
strengthens
makes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Strengthens is the correct answer. This comes from Philippians 4:13.

Advertisement

Where did Jesus grow up?
Sheba
Jerusalem
Nazareth
Babylon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus grew up in Nazareth. This is according to the book of Luke.

Advertisement

How many commandments did Moses recieve from God?
two
seven
10
14
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Moses received 10 commandments from God. These are also known as the Decalogue.

Advertisement

What does Jesus say about judging others?
Judge wisely
Judge fairly
Judge not
Judge blindly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus speaks against judging others in the book of Luke. He says "Judge not."

Advertisement

How long were the Israelites enslaved in Egypt?
20 years
100 years
400 years
1,000 years
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. They were freed by Moses and the will of God.

Advertisement

How many men does Jesus feed from five loaves of bread and a few fish in the Gospel of John?
100
2,000
5,000
10,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the Gospel of John, Jesus turns a small lunch of bread and fish into enough to feed 5,000 of his followers. After everyone had eaten as much as they wanted there were still 12 baskets of bread left.

Advertisement

Finish the verse: "And without _________ it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him."
money
fame
faith
love
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Faith is the correct answer. This comes from Hebrews 11:6.

Advertisement

What did Samson use to kill 1,000 men?
a gun
God's wrath
an animal bone
magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Judges 15, Samson uses an interesting weapon. He kills 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey.

Advertisement

Who was the last King of United Israel?
Zimri
Saul
Abraham
Solomon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Solomon was the third King of Israel. Famed for his wisdom and wealth, he was the last king before Israel split in two.

Advertisement

Which man changed his name to Israel after struggling with God in the desert?
Jacob
Aaron
Job
Peter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jacob was born to Isaac, who named him. After wrestling with God in the desert, he changed his name to Israel.

Advertisement

In how many days did God make the world?
three
one
seven
six
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

God created darkness, light, the earth, man, and animal in six days. He rested on the seventh day.

Advertisement

Which of these women's names is used most often in the Bible?
Mary
Leah
Rachel
Miriam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary is the most popular women's name in the Bible.

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
Featured