BHL II - Questions (True/False, Matching, Short Answer)

Ezra returned to Jerusalem shortly after Cyrus decreed that Jewish exiles could return.

False (his return was during Artaxerxes’s reign)

The exiles began rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, but they stopped because the people around them opposed the project.

True

Even though Ezra’s history lists many of the people who retuned from exile, we have no idea of the approximate size of the migration.

False (it was around 50,000)

The Persians decreed that the returned exiles should rebuild the Temple, and they even paid for some of the costs.

True

Match the following numbers with the letters:

1. Man among the Myrtle Trees

2. Four Horns & Craftsmen

3. Man with Measuring Line

4. Clean Garments for Joshua

5. Gold Lampstand & Olive Trees

A. Go through the whole earth…there is rest

B. Israel is cleansed and restored

C. Jerusalem will be restored and rebuilt

D. Destruction of nations that scattered Israel

E. Temple was rebuilt, and its services restored

1. A

2. D

3. C

4. B

5. E

Give three ‘Holy Week’ images that occur in Zechariah’s prophecy.

30 pieces of silver, riding on a donkey, strike shepherd

The Feast of Tabernacles was a Jewish celebration that commemorated the return from exile in Persia.

False (the Feast of Tabernacles was about the exodus)

The temple structure, rebuilt by the Jewish exiles that returned to Jerusalem, was finished during the reign of the Persian king Darius I.

True

Nehemiah was a priest.

False

Zechariah’s prophecy is an example of apocalyptic literature.

True

Haggai and Zechariah were prophesying at the same time that Ezra was encouraging spiritual renewal.

False (they prophesied before Ezra)

Ezra was instrumental in the effort to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

False (Nehemiah was the one who was instrumental)

The Jewish exiles who returned to Judah were still under the regulations of the Mosaic covenant.

True

Old Testament believers were saved by obedience; New Testament believers were saved by faith.

False (both were saved by faith)

Put the following events in order:

A. Cyrus decree of return

B. Nehemiah’s completion of the walls

C. Esther becomes Queen

D. Rebuilding of the Temple

E. Return of exiles under Ezra

A. 1

B. 5

C. 3

D. 2

E. 4

What Kings were associated with the following events?

A. Cyrus decree of return

B. Nehemiah’s completion of the walls

C. Esther becomes Queen

D. Rebuilding of the Temple

E. Return of exiles under Ezra

A. Cyrus

B. Artaxerxes

C. Xerxes

D. Darius

E. Artaxerxes

The term ‘Apocrypha’ refers to the Old Testament literature that focuses chiefly on the meaning of visions.

False (meaning is hidden)

The apocryphal book Bel and the Dragon records an episode in which Daniel was thrown into a den of lions.

True

After the breakup of Alexander’s empire, the land of Judah was controlled initially by the Seleucid dynasty.

False (in this time frame, it was under the Ptolemaic dynasty - Seleucid dynasty was after)

According to the book of 1 Maccabees, Judas Maccabaeus was the priest who purified and rededicated the temple in Jerusalem during the Jewish revolt of the second century B.C.

True

None of the writings in the Apocrypha were included in any Hebrew collection of authoritative books.

True

“Hellenization” is a term that refers to a cultural trend to adoption of Greek language and customs by the Jews during the intertestamental period.

True

Which dynasty ruled from Egypt after the breakup of the Macedonian empire?

a) Hasmoneans

b) Seleucids

c) Antiochans

d) Ptolemies

e) Herodians

D

The separatist Jewish sect associated with a curious form of dualistic philosophy and communal living was …

a) the Pharisees

b) the Sadducees

c) the Essenes

d) the Zealots

e) the Ptolemies

C

The term “Hellenization” refers to …

a) the period during which the Hasmoneans ruled in Jerusalem

b) the cleansing of the temple under the Maccabees

c) the wide-reaching influence of Persian culture

d) the nationalistic program of the sect of the Pharisees

e) the transition among Jews from the dominant use of Hebrew (Aramaic) to the Greek language

E

The Jewish sect that emphasized only the Mosaic code and its connection to Temple rites and rituals was …

a) the Pharisees

b) the Sadducees

c) the Essenes

d) the Zealots

e) the Herodians

B

The genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthew begins with Abraham and ends the Jesus, the Christ.

True

In keeping with his emphasis on the universal nature of the gospel, Luke details the events that surround the visit of the wise men to Bethlehem.

False (Matthew not Luke)

The Gospel of Matthew is structured around seven major discourses.

False (5 major discourses)

Since it is the shortest of the gospels, Mark offers only abbreviated versions and no expansions of the accounts covered in Matthew’s longer gospel account.

False (concentrates on Jesus’ ministry)

The “synoptic problem” refers to the fact that none of the synoptic accounts provide a complete and comprehensive overview of Jesus’ life.

False (see same event, why difference in gospel accounts?)

Luke’s gospel account appears to have been written for a Gentile audience.

True

The gospel writer Mark seems to have been closely associated with Peter.

False

The synoptic gospel accounts teach that the object of faith is a believer’s personal sense of trust and belief.

False (you don’t have faith in faith)

Matthew ends with the ascension scene.

False (resurrection)

Mark 2:12 - “He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This ______ everyone [and they said], ‘We have never seen anything like this.’”

a. shocked

b. confused

c. angered

d. amazed

D

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?” Matthew records that Jesus answered the question with which parable?

a. Parable of the Weeds

b. Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

c. Parable of the Wedding Banquet

d. Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

B

Which of the “words from the cross” is found recorded only in Luke’s account of the crucifixion?

a. “it is finished.”

b. “I thirst.”

c. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

d. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

D

What is the thematic passage for Luke’s gospel?

a. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

b. “I am the resurrection and the life.”

c. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

d. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

D

Mark directly relates only one of Jesus’ “words” from the cross. Which statement from the dying Jesus does Mark record?

a. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

b. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

c. “It is finished.”

d. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

B

Which way of referring to Jesus is highlighted (receives greater emphasis) in Mark’s gospel account?

a. the Son on God

b. the Son of Man

c. the Christ

d. the Lord

A

Which post-crucifixion episode is unique to Matthew’s account?

a. The Guard at the Tomb

b. The Emmaus Disciples

c. Doubting Thomas

d. The Ascension

A

The Parable of the Good Samaritan was told in response to what question?

a. What must I do to be saved?

b. Why do you heal on the Sabbath?

c. Who is my neighbor?

d. How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?

C

Mark was the cousin of whom?

a. Paul

b. Peter

c. Barnabus

d. Matthew

C

Which post-resurrection appearance is unique to Luke’s gospel?

a. to doubting Thomas

b. to the Emmaus disciples

c. to Mary Magdalene in the garden

d. preparing breakfast for the disciples

B

Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus’ family history back to Adam.

True

In keeping with his style, Luke provides many historical references in his account of Jesus’ life.

True

Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus’ family history back to Adam.

True

The birth account in Luke’s gospel highlights the visit of the wise men.

False (only in Matthew)

There is an emphasis on the role of the Spirit in Luke’s gospel account.

True

Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” contains a section of “Beatitudes” similar to that recorded in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount.”

True

The “synoptic problem” refers to the fact that none of the synoptics provides a complete overview of Jesus’ life.

False (similar accounts with differences)

Luke’s gospel focuses almost entirely on Jesus’ ministry in Galilee.

False (also in Perea and Judah)

Luke teaches that the object of faith is a believer’s personal sense of trust and belief.

False (have to believe in something)

The gospel of Luke closes with Christ’s ascension.

True

Luke’s gospel account appears to have been written for a Gentile audience.

True

Who sang: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people…”?

a. Mary

b. Elizabeth

c. Zechariah

d. Simeon

D

What message did Jesus proclaim at the synagogue of Nazareth, which resulted in his being driven out of town?

a. “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

b. “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

c. “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

d. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”

A

Jesus said: “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” This is the chief lesson of which parable?

a. The Good Samaritan

b. The Shrewd Manager

c. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

d. The Rich Fool

C

Jesus said: “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” To what was Jesus specifically referring that was so ‘highly values’ by people of this world?

a. fame

b. money

c. honor

d. praise

B

Which account contains this thematic statement: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead”?

a. The Ten Lepers

b. The Lost (Prodigal) Son

c. The Rich Man and Lazarus

d. Zacchaeus

C

Which account contains this lesson: “only one thing is needed”?

a. The Good Samaritan

b. Mary and Martha

c. The Ten Lepers

d. Zacchaeus

B

The Parable of the Good Samaritan was told in response to what question?

a. What must I do to be saved?

b. Why do you heal on the Sabbath?

c. Who is my neighbor?

d. How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?

C

Which account, unique to Luke, contains this thematic statement: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”?

a. The Good Samaritan

b. The Rich Man and Lazarus

c. Zacchaeus

d. The Prodigal (Lost) Son

C

Which of the “words from the cross” is found recorded only in Luke’s account of the crucifixion?

a. “It is finished.”

b. “I thirst.”

c. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

d. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

D

Which post-resurrection appearance is unique to Luke’s gospel?

a. to doubting Thomas

b. to the Emmaus disciples

c. to Mary Magdalene in the garden

d. preparing breakfast for the disciples

B