Bible Quiz Questions and Answers for Adults: A Cross-Religious Guide
Judaism
"Go, inquire of GOD on my behalf, and on behalf of the people, and on behalf of all Judah, concerning the words of this scroll that has been found. For great indeed must be GOD's wrath that has been kindled against us, because our ancestors did not obey the words of this scroll to do all that has been prescribed for us." — 2 Kings 22:13 (JPS Tanakh) 2 Kings 22:13
The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) is the foundation of Jewish scripture and provides some of the richest material for adult quiz questions. One classic area involves the discovery of the Torah scroll during King Josiah's reign — a dramatic moment that prompted urgent inquiry of God 2 Kings 22:13.
Quiz question: What did King Josiah command when the scroll was found in the Temple? The answer draws directly from 2 Kings 22:13, where Josiah instructs his officials to "inquire of GOD" because Israel's ancestors had failed to obey its words 2 Kings 22:13. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 34:21 reinforces this narrative and is itself a useful quiz variant 2 Chronicles 34:21.
Another rich area for adult quizzing involves the prophets. Jeremiah 23:37, for instance, poses a rhetorical question format — "What did GOD answer you?" — that mirrors the very structure of a quiz, testing whether prophets spoke authentically Jeremiah 23:37. Scholars like Moshe Greenberg (20th century) have noted that such prophetic interrogation passages reveal how seriously ancient Israel took scriptural accountability. These texts reward adults who engage deeply rather than superficially with the Hebrew Bible.
Christianity
"Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" — John 6:70 (KJV) John 6:70
The New Testament is a goldmine for adult Bible quiz questions, particularly the Gospels. One perennially challenging question involves Jesus's response to the disciples' overconfident claims — he tests their self-knowledge sharply and directly Matthew 20:22.
Quiz question: In Matthew 20:22, what did Jesus ask James and John when they requested places of honor? The answer: "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of?" — a question about suffering and sacrifice that most adults find unexpectedly deep Matthew 20:22.
Another excellent adult-level question comes from John 16:31, where Jesus responds to the disciples' declaration of belief with a pointed, almost skeptical reply John 16:31. Quiz question: What did Jesus say when the disciples claimed to believe in John 16:31? Answer: "Do ye now believe?" — a deceptively short verse that carries enormous theological weight John 16:31.
A harder question still: In John 6:70, what shocking statement did Jesus make about his twelve chosen disciples? Jesus said, "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" John 6:70 — a verse that catches many adult quiz participants off guard. Biblical scholar Raymond Brown (1928–1998) argued this passage foreshadows Judas's betrayal with deliberate irony. These verses reward adults who read carefully rather than casually.
Islam
"How can you ask the people of the Scriptures about their Books while you have Allah's Book (the Qur'an) which is the most recent of the Books revealed by Allah, and you read it in its pure undistorted form?" — Sahih al-Bukhari 7522 Sahih al Bukhari 7522
Islam isn't directly in scope for "Bible quiz questions" as a practice, since Muslims don't use the Bible as a primary scriptural authority. However, the Qur'an does comment meaningfully on the nature of scripture and questioning, which is relevant context.
The Qur'an itself poses a rhetorical quiz-style challenge in Surah Al-Qalam 68:37: "Or do you have a scripture in which you learn" — a verse that Islamic scholars read as a challenge to those who make claims without divine textual backing Quran 68:37Quran 68:37.
More directly, a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih al-Bukhari (hadith 7522) explicitly addresses the question of consulting earlier scriptures: "How can you ask the people of the Scriptures about their Books while you have Allah's Book (the Qur'an) which is the most recent of the Books revealed by Allah, and you read it in its pure undistorted form?" Sahih al Bukhari 7522 This reflects a mainstream Islamic position — articulated by scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah (1263–1328) — that the Qur'an supersedes and corrects earlier scriptures. So while adult Bible quizzing isn't an Islamic practice, Islam has a clear theological stance on why its adherents wouldn't prioritize it.
Where they agree
All three traditions agree that scripture deserves serious, careful engagement rather than surface-level familiarity. Both Judaism and Christianity treat their respective texts as authoritative guides requiring active study — a value reflected in the very concept of adult Bible quizzing 2 Kings 22:13Matthew 20:22. Islam shares the underlying principle that divine scripture must be known deeply and accurately, even if it directs that energy toward the Qur'an rather than the Bible Sahih al Bukhari 7522. Across all three, ignorance of one's own scriptures is treated as a failure, not a neutral state.
Where they disagree
| Dimension | Judaism | Christianity | Islam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary scripture for quizzing | Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) | Old and New Testaments | Qur'an (Bible not primary) |
| Role of New Testament | Not canonical | Central and authoritative | Acknowledged but superseded |
| Attitude toward consulting earlier scriptures | Tanakh is the living word; rabbinic tradition elaborates it | Old Testament fulfilled and illuminated by New Testament | Earlier scriptures seen as distorted; Qur'an is the corrective Sahih al Bukhari 7522 |
| Key quiz figures | Moses, Josiah, the prophets 2 Kings 22:13 | Jesus, the apostles Matthew 20:22John 6:70 | Not applicable in Bible quiz context |
Key takeaways
- The New Testament Gospels — especially John and Matthew — are rich sources for challenging adult Bible quiz questions about Jesus's words and actions Matthew 20:22John 16:31John 6:70.
- The Hebrew Bible's account of King Josiah discovering the Torah scroll (2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 34) is a classic Old Testament narrative for adult quizzing 2 Kings 22:132 Chronicles 34:21.
- Islam discourages consulting the Bible when the Qur'an is available, per a hadith of Ibn Abbas in Sahih al-Bukhari Sahih al Bukhari 7522.
- All three traditions treat ignorance of their own scriptures as a serious failing, even if they disagree on which scripture matters most.
- Advanced adult quiz questions often target brief, easily overlooked verses — like John 16:31's two-word reply from Jesus — that carry outsized theological meaning John 16:31.
FAQs
What did Jesus ask James and John in Matthew 20:22?
What shocking thing did Jesus say about his twelve disciples in John 6:70?
What did King Josiah do when the scroll of the Law was found in the Temple?
Does Islam encourage Bible quizzing?
What does Jeremiah 23:37 contribute to Bible quiz material?
Judaism
“Go, inquire of GOD on my behalf, and on behalf of the people, and on behalf of all Judah, concerning the words of this scroll that has been found. For great indeed must be GOD’s wrath that has been kindled against us, because our ancestors did not obey the words of this scroll to do all that has been prescribed for us.” (2 Kings 22:13, JPS) 2 Kings 22:13
Quiz (Tanakh)
- What action is commanded when the found scroll’s words are heard? Answer: “Go, inquire of GOD … because our ancestors did not obey the words of this scroll to do all that has been prescribed for us.” 2 Kings 22:13
- Which similar command appears when a scroll is found in Chronicles? Answer: “Go, inquire of GOD … because our ancestors did not obey the word of GOD and do all that is written in this scroll.” 2 Chronicles 34:21
- According to Jeremiah, what should one ask a prophet? Answer: “What did GOD answer you? or ‘What did GOD speak?’” Jeremiah 23:37
Christianity
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (John 6:70, KJV) John 6:70
Quiz (New Testament)
- What two challenges does Jesus mention when responding to a request? Answer: “Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Matthew 20:22
- What brief question does Jesus ask about the disciples’ faith shortly before his arrest? Answer: “Do ye now believe?” John 16:31
- How many did Jesus say he chose, and what did he say about one of them? Answer: “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70
Islam
Not applicable. Concerns Bible-specific quiz content; no direct counterpart is required for Islamic scripture/practice.
Where they agree
- Both traditions present urgent engagement with divine speech: inquiry of GOD about a scroll’s words (Judaism) and Jesus’ direct probing of disciples’ belief (Christianity). 2 Kings 22:13 John 16:31
- Both feature testing moments that call for response—obedience to what’s written, or readiness to share Jesus’ cup/baptism. 2 Chronicles 34:21 Matthew 20:22
Where they disagree
| Topic | Judaism (Tanakh) | Christianity (NT) |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Audience | Addresses those in Judah/Israel regarding words of a discovered scroll. 2 Kings 22:13 2 Chronicles 34:21 | Addresses Jesus’ disciples about belief, calling, and testing. John 16:31 John 6:70 |
| Emphasis | Inquiry and obedience to what is written in the scroll. 2 Kings 22:13 2 Chronicles 34:21 | Faith response and willingness to share Jesus’ path (cup/baptism). John 16:31 Matthew 20:22 |
Key takeaways
- Tanakh quiz items highlight inquiry of GOD regarding a rediscovered scroll and the call to obey its words. 2 Kings 22:13 2 Chronicles 34:21
- Jeremiah models asking a prophet about GOD’s answer and speech. Jeremiah 23:37
- Jesus challenges disciples on belief and readiness to share his cup/baptism. John 16:31 Matthew 20:22
- Jesus chose twelve and declared one “a devil,” a stark test for adult study. John 6:70
FAQs
Which passages mention a found scroll and command to inquire of GOD?
Where does Jesus directly ask about belief?
Which verse says one of the Twelve is “a devil”?
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