Bible, Jewish Scriptures, and New Testament Key Terms and Events

What does the term 'testament' mean in the context of the Bible?

Covenant

What does 'Bible' mean?

The Books

What term describes the collection of books accepted as authoritative and a part of the Bible?

Canon

What is the name of an ancient manuscript text collected in book form?

Codex

What is the Hebrew name for the Jewish scriptures?

Tanakh

What literary device attaches human traits to inanimate objects?

Personification

What literary device draws comparisons between unrelated things using 'as' or 'like'?

Simile

What essential factor in interpretation highlights the time, place, and larger storyline of a biblical passage?

Context

What literary device refers to a subject matter by way of a passing reference?

Allusion

What is the act of interpreting or explaining the meanings of verses or passages of scripture?

Exegesis

Who is traditionally credited with being the author of the Torah?

Moses

Which section of the Tanakh is considered most important in Jewish tradition?

Torah

What is considered the most important text in the 'Ketuvim'?

Psalms

What Jewish feast commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt?

Passover

Who are considered the prophets in the 'Nevi'im'?

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel

What empire controlled Palestine during the time of Jesus?

Roman Empire

Which group of Jews were known for strict observance of the Torah?

Pharisees

Who became king of the Jews around 40 BC and expanded the Second Temple?

Herod the Great

Who was the Roman prefect sent to govern Judea and Samaria during Jesus' public career?

Pontius Pilate

Which Jewish party controlled the Temple and the Sanhedrin?

Sadducees

In what language were the writings of the New Testament composed?

Greek

What initials do many scholars prefer to use instead of 'AD'?

CE (Common Era)

What term describes the period between the final book of the Old Testament and the events of the New Testament?

Intertestamental Period

What was the name of the process by which Greek language and culture spread across the empire?

Hellenization

Who was the High Priest of Israel during Jesus' adulthood?

Caiaphas

What term means 'Good News' and describes the first four books of the New Testament?

Gospel

What title is traditionally given to the authors of the four canonical Gospels?

Evangelists

The Gospel of Mark is based on the recollections of which apostle?

Peter

What term describes the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke due to their shared perspective?

Synoptic

For which audience was the Gospel of Mark primarily written?

Gentiles

Where does John the Baptist baptize Jesus in the Gospel of Mark?

Jordan River

What town does Jesus refer to when he says, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown'?

Nazareth

In which region of northern Israel does much of Jesus' ministry in the Gospel of Mark take place?

Galilee

What is the name of the Jewish high council that questioned Jesus?

Sanhedrin

What is the name of the Roman governor's palace where Jesus is taken for sentencing?

Praetorium

Who prepares the way for Jesus by preaching repentance?

John the Baptist

Which group of Jewish leaders is often depicted as opposing Jesus?

Pharisees

Who is the Roman governor that sentences Jesus to crucifixion?

Pontius Pilate

Which prisoner is released instead of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark?

Barabbas

Which three disciples does Jesus take with him to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane?

Peter, James, John

What title given to Jesus indicates that His followers believed him to be the anointed son of King David?

Christ

What Aramaic word does Jesus use when addressing God in prayer?

Abba

What title do the Roman soldiers mockingly place on the sign above Jesus' cross?

King of the Jews

What is the name of a sign or wonder attributed to divine power?

Miracle

What is the name of a short story or metaphor that Jesus often used?

Parable

What Jewish holiday does the Last Supper celebrate?

Passover

What word do the crowds shout during Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem?

Hosanna

Where does Jesus go to pray in deep distress before his crucifixion?

Gethsemane

What term describes the narrative of the physical, mental, and spiritual suffering of Christ?

Passion

What event describes Jesus appearing in radiant glory on a mountain?

Transfiguration

What was Levi's profession when Jesus called him to follow Him?

Tax Collector

Which Apostle denied Jesus three times during his trial?

Peter

Who came from the East seeking the newborn 'king of the Jews'?

Magi (Wise Men)

Which two apostles are known as the 'Sons of Zebedee'?

James and John

Who is the high priest responsible for putting Jesus on trial with the Jewish council?

Caiaphas

What does the term 'Passion' refer to in the context of Jesus?

The narrative of the physical, mental, spiritual suffering of Christ, as well as His crucifixion and death.

Where does Joseph take Mary and Jesus to flee from Herod's plan?

Egypt

What is the name of the place where Jesus is crucified?

Golgotha

How long was there darkness over all the land during Jesus' crucifixion?

3 Hours

How many major discourses are there in the Gospel of Matthew?

Five

What are the eight blessings given at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount called?

Beatitudes

What is the teaching that states 'Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them'?

The Golden Rule

What is the name given to Jesus' final instructions to his disciples?

The Great Commission

What literary device presents a series of ideas in reverse order?

Chiasmus

What are the four substitutes for God according to Thomas Aquinas?

Honor, Wealth, Pleasure, Power

What did Jesus say regarding loving enemies?

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

What are the 2 great commandments in the Law according to Jesus?

1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 2. Love thy neighbor as yourself

Who is the righteous woman who conceived John the Baptist?

Elizabeth

Which Roman emperor issued the decree for a census during Jesus' birth?

Caesar Augustus

What is the name of the angel that speaks to Mary about Jesus' birth?

Gabriel

Who blesses the child Jesus in the temple and proclaims the Nunc Dimittis?

Simeon

Who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passes through Jericho?

Zacchaeus

What parable tells the story of compassion shown to a man beaten by robbers?

The Good Samaritan

What is the name of the poor man comforted in the afterlife in the parable of the rich man?

Lazarus

What is the name of the ethical instructions collection in the Gospel of Luke?

Sermon on the Plain

What is the parable that focuses on a wayward child who returns to his father?

The Prodigal Son

Which ruler does Jesus appear before during His trial in the Gospel of Luke?

Herod Antipas

What is the term for a biblical hymn or song of praise that includes the four songs from Luke's nativity story?

Canticle

Who praises God in the hymn known as the Magnificat?

Mary

What is the traditional name of the hymn sung by the angels at Jesus' birth?

Gloria

Who is John the Baptist's father who sang the Benedictus?

Zechariah

What is the theological term for the event when the angel appears to Mary?

Annunciation

In which town was Jesus born as a result of the Roman census?

Bethlehem

On what road do two of Jesus' followers encounter Him after His resurrection?

Road to Emmaus

What Greek term describes the realm of the dead in the New Testament?

Hades

What is the Hebrew term for the general realm of the dead in the Old Testament?

Sheol

What Greek term refers to the final place of punishment for the wicked?

Gehenna

What other book in the New Testament did the author of the Gospel of Luke write?

Acts of the Apostles

To whom does the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke trace back?

Adam

What is the name of the sister who was distracted with serving while Mary listened to Jesus?

Martha

From which scroll does Jesus read to inaugurate his public ministry?

Isaiah

What is the name of the hypothetical ancient source believed to be a collection of sayings of Jesus?

Quelle Source (Q)

Jesus heals a servant at the request of a what?

Centurion

Finish the Jesus Quote: Your kingdom come, your will be done...

On earth as it is in heaven

Throughout the major discourses of Matthew, Jesus frequently teaches in sayings and parables to describing the inbreaking of_______, which is the central theme of his message and mission.

the Kingdom of Heaven

What are Jesus' teachings on the end times in Matthew 24-25.

Olivet Discourse

In the first chapter of Matthew it states that the virgin birth of Jesus fulfills words spoken by the prophet, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel." What does Immanuel mean?

God with Us

Related to the central themes of continuation and fulfillment, the Gospel of Matthew begins with a detailed __________, linking Jesus to Jewish tradition through a family tree.

Genealogy