Image: Paramount Pictures
About This Quiz
From war-torn cities to dramatic displays of total devotion, cinema and scripture have more in common than you might think. Think about it: Both movies and the Bible have their fair share of greed, jealousy, revenge, love, faith and family—and that's not including overtly religious flicks like "The Passion of the Christ," "Paul, Apostle of Christ" or "Son of God." Full of the kind of action and melodrama that could steal the show even in a soap opera, it should come as no surprise that films so often sound like they were sourced straight from the big book.
People already wrongly attribute pop culture maxims like "This too shall pass" and "Money is the root of all evil" to the Bible, so perhaps it won't be long before we're accidentally mixing up the words of Spider-Man and Wonder Woman with Paul and Jeremiah. Wait, who said "With great power, comes great responsibility," again?
Whether you know the New and Old Testament front-to-back or are just a die-hard film fanatic, can you tell which lines stem from scripture and which ones were uttered by your favorite stars? Take the following quiz to find out!
"I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began." Is this a superhero origin story or something from the Holy Bible?
The Bible
Nope, this isn't some superhero talking, it's the Bible. In this verse from Proverbs 8:23, God establishes Himself as existing even before "the mountains were settled, before the hills," which sounds like a long time ago, if you ask me.
A superhero movie
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"As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!" Can you find this line in the Bible or on the cinema screen?
In a movie
In the 1939 movie "Gone with the Wind," Scarlett O'Hara (Vivienne Leigh) says this to Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). "My darling, you're such a child; you think by saying 'I'm sorry' all the past can be corrected," he replies.
In the Bible
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"Before I tell you any more, I'm going to show you the greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in the world he knew." This sounds pretty biblical ... or is it from a movie?
A movie
In the 1933 movie "King Kong," the fictional film director Carl Denham (portrayed by Robert Armstrong) presents King Kong to a shocked public with these words. He goes on to call the giant gorilla the "eighth wonder of the world."
The Bible
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"Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity." Wait, did an actor say this, or a Biblical figure?
An actor
In the 2000 epic "Gladiator," Maximus (Russell Crowe), a high ranking Roman general, says this to his men. The ancient Romans tended to worship multiple gods, so it's unlikely he's referring to the type of eternity (heaven) found in the Bible. Now go out and fight, men!
Biblical figure
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"Devise a plan; it will fail. Make a prediction; it will not happen" sounds pretty pessimistic, if you ask me. Who is promoting the kind of negativity I don't need in my life right now?
Hollywood
The Bible
Also written as, "Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us," this quote can be found in Isaiah 8:10. According to Isaiah, you can throw out your calendar and let God take the wheel. Actually, that doesn't sound too bad.
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"There is nothing free except the grace of God." Did a Biblical figure say this, or a movie character?
A Biblical figure
A movie character
In the 2010 film "True Grit," Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) says this. "You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another," she says to LaBoeuf (Matt Damon). Well, she's not really wrong about that part.
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"A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it," according to the Bible or a movie. Which is it?
The Bible
This sounds like a proverb straight from the big screen, but it's actually from the big book. Basically, if you're smart, then you'll attempt to calm down that angry king rather than rebel against him. Sounds easy enough, right?
A movie
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"His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters." Sounds pretty dreamy, if you ask me. Who is this guy?
A Biblical figure
No, this isn't some new mega-babe superhero played by Chris Hemsworth. It's Jesus! In Revelation 1:15, John describes Jesus in very enchanting terms. "In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength," he goes on to say.
A movie character
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"I wanted a mission, and for my sins, they gave me one." Who is this sinner in question?
A Biblical figure
A movie character
No, this isn't a Biblical journey here. In the 1979 film "Apocalypse Now," Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) says this to Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). In this case, the mission is war, war and more war.
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"Your heart is free ... have the courage to follow it." Who said this?
A movie character
No, this isn't a verse from Proverbs. In the 1995 epic war film "Braveheart," Malcolm Wallace (Sean Lawlor), a leading Scottish knight, says this. The Academy Award-winning film is based on the true story of Malcolm's brother, William Wallace.
A Biblical figure
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"As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right." Will you find this quote flipping through channels or flipping through the Bible?
A movie
The Bible
After pleading not guilty in court to a capital offense charge for giving a public sermon, Jeremiah uses his legal podium to make another godly plea. "Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God," he tells them.
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Where does the quote "Did you know this church is in the exact center of the city? The elders decreed it so that everybody should be equally close to God" come from?
The Bible
A movie
Nope, this wasn't Abraham, Peter or Paul—Ultron said this in "The Avengers: Age of Ultron." While Ultron encourages others to confess their sins and references Genesis' good friend Noah, this super villain is nowhere to be found in the Bible.
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"Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all." Where does this quote come from?
The Bible
A movie
The infinitely wise Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) says this to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the film of the same name. "It's not about you," she says, revealing the "most significant lesson of all." Fun fact: Cumberbatch said that this is his favorite line in the whole film.
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"Do you know any prayers, my friend?" Is this question from a film or the Bible?
A film
No, this isn't one of Jesus' disciples spreading the holy word. In the 1938 film "The Adventures of Robin Hood," Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone) says this to Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) as they duel. "I'll say one for you!" Robin Hood slyly responds. Spoiler alert: Robin Hood wins.
The Bible
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"If no one saves us, we will surrender to you" sounds like something out of any action movie ... or the Bible. Which is it?
The Bible
In 1 Samuel 11:3, the elders of Jabesh request seven days of respite from Nahash the Ammonite, who has attacked and surrounded them. Fortunately, Nahash grants them this, and Gibeah of Saul has their back. Phew.
A movie
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"But I am a generous god," someone says. Another responds, "You are generous as you are divine, O king of kings." Where does this conversation take place?
In a movie
In the movie "300," Xerxes tells King Leonidas how generous he is. "I can make you rich beyond all measure. I will make you warlord of all Greece," he says. While King Leonidas replies that "only a madman" would refuse Xerxes' offer, he doesn't much like the idea of kneeling.
In the Bible
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"Whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of anger" sounds like a grand promise, sure. But whose was it?
A movie character's
The Bible's
This quote sounds like a it's from a cinematic king, but it's from a Biblical one. In Proverbs 1:33, the Bible says that by listening to God, people can be set free. In addition to rewarding those whom follow him, the Book of Wisdom goes into great detail about the punishments for those who don't.
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"We will work to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth, should treat each other" is definitely a positive message. But where does it come from?
The Bible
A movie
Although the Bible is also all about loving one's brother, T'Challa says this quote in "Black Panther." When addressing his people, he says, "Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We cannot. We must not ... Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence." And, well, he's not wrong.
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"I did not start this war. I offered you peace. I showed you mercy ..."%0D Is this line from a movie or the pages of the Bible?
The Bible
A movie
In the 2017 movie "War for the Planet of the Apes," Caesar (Andy Serkis) says this to the Colonel (Woody Harrelson). "But you are now here to finish us off for good," Caesar laments in the film.
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"I am your redeemer ... It is by my hand that you will rise from the ashes of the world," someone once said. Where can you find this quote?
The Bible
A movie
In "Mad Max: Fury Road," Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) clearly believes he is some sort of godly figure, as evidenced by this line. Thus, his army of "War Boys" are his loyal followers.
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"Dear child, the belonging you seek is not behind you ... it is ahead." Where can you find this quote?
A movie
In "Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens," Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) gives these words of wisdom to Rey (Daisy Ridley). She perhaps means to explain that Rey belongs with the Jedi now.
The Bible
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“You are not going to get any inheritance in our family ... because you are the son of another woman.” Where does this threatening quote come from: a cinematic drama or a Biblical one?
The Bible
Bitter inheritance disputes don't just happen on "Maury" or in the movies. According to the Bible, the sons of Gilead's wife drove Jephthah, their half-brother, away with this statement. Since their mother had him out of wedlock, they wanted nothing other than to prevent him from getting his inheritance.
A movie
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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Which commanding person said this?
A Biblical figure
Although this kind of sounds like the words of a military commander straight from the big screen, in reality, it's from Joshua 1:9. "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go," the passage continues.
A movie character
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"From this day forth, you put your faith in me." Is this a biblical line about following God or something else?
A Biblical quote
A movie quote
In the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) tells Ginny Weasley (Bonne Wright), Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and the rest of the crew to follow him now that Harry Potter is dead. Bellatrix then laughs in his face. Can you blame her?
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"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Pretty profound stuff. Where is this line from?
A movie
While this line does allude to some Biblical themes, Yoda says this to a young Anakin Skywalker as he considers him for training in "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace." Obviously, Yoda's wisdom forebodes what's to come.
The Bible
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"In the name of all that is good, your wrath upon this world is over," a Biblical figure or superhero once said. Who was it?
A superhero
Diana (Gal Gadot) in the latest "Wonder Woman" film tells General Erich Ludendorff this when he asks, incredulously, "What are you?" "I am Diana of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons," she replies. Duh!
A Biblical figure
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"Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die." How ominous. From where is this quote derived?
A movie
The Bible
This sounds like it could be from "300" or "Alexander" or basically any epic war saga, but it's from Isaiah 22:13. There are many iterations of essentially this same line in cinema, pop culture and maybe even real life wars, though.
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"There is grace in their failings" is a quote that refers to all of humankind. Who says it?
A Biblical figure
A movie character
In "Avengers: Age of Ultron," Vision tells Ultron in his last words on Earth, "Humans are odd. They think order and chaos are somehow opposites and try to control what won't be. But there is grace in their failings." Ultron then accuses him of being "unbelievably naive." Rude!
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"He will die because there is no discipline and be lost because of his great stupidity." Where can you find this quote?
A movie
The Bible
While this sounds like a solid warning regarding a reckless young troop in a movie, in reality, it's from the Bible. In Proverbs 5:23, the Bible warns against sexual sin, specifically extramarital relations.
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"'We shall build a tower that will reach to the stars!' Having conceived Babel, yet unable to build it themselves, they had thousands to build it for them." Is this quote plucked straight from the Bible, or is it in a film?
A movie
This one's tricky! While Maria from the silent 1927 film Metropolis is clearly alluding the biblical tale of the construction of the Tower of Babel, she does so in order to discuss the strife of her fellow workers.
The Bible
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"But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured the sword." Yikes. Who said this?
A Biblical figure
In Isaiah 1:20, God isn't messing around. He concludes this fierce dagger of a threat with: "for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." While this sounds like it could be from any war or action movie, God is who you must fear here.
A Hollywood actor
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"I shouldn't be alive ... unless it was for a reason ... I just finally know what I have to do." Is whoever said this following God or following their script?
Their script
So sweet; so brave. In "Iron Man," Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark says this to Gwyneth Paltrow as Virginia "Pepper" Potts just before he sets off to combat evil-doers. Break out the tissues when you watch this iconic superhero scene, because it will definitely tug on your heart strings.
God
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Who said, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required?"
A Hollywood star
A Biblical figure
This one's a little tricky. Although this is now somewhat of a common Western idiom, it actually stems from the Bible. In "Spider-Man" when Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility," he is pretty much paraphrasing this Luke 12:48 quote. If you're blessed with talents, for instance, both the writers of "Spider-Man" and the Bible agree: you better use them.
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Where can you find the quote, "For it is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath to the one who does wrong"?
The Bible
You can find this quote in Romans 13:4 —not in any of the Marvel films, surprisingly. Basically, Paul means to say that God's disciples or "servants" act in his service by defending His laws and carrying out divine justice. Yes, kind of like a superhero's sidekick.
A movie
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"Is this your king?" someone once asked. But where?
In a movie
While it sounds like what one might ask one of Jesus' disciples in the Bible, this quote actually comes from "Black Panther." While battling T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) shouts this to the Wakanda people as he delivers blow after blow. In case you haven't seen, this quote has also been turned into memes many times over.
In the Bible
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