Gospel Characters Nobody Talks About | Bible Trivia Quiz | Digging Deeper

Question 1. Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus’ cross. Which two sons of his does Mark name?

Answer: Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).

Context & Exhortation: Mark names the sons as if his readers already knew them. A Rufus is greeted in Romans 16:13, and some think it may be the same man, though the text does not confirm it.

Simon was pulled out of a crowd and made to carry a cross that was not his. His family seems to have been remembered in the church afterward. 

What can we take away here, Family? A moment we did not choose can shape generations.

Mark says Simon was “coming out of the country” when the soldiers compelled him (15:21). He had no warning and no choice. Luke adds that he carried the cross “after Jesus” (Luke 23:26). 

That is a picture of every disciple’s calling (Luke 9:23).

Question 2. The prophetess Anna met baby Jesus in the temple. Which tribe of Israel was she from?

Answer: The tribe of Asher. She was a widow who served God in the temple with fastings and prayers night and day (Luke 2:36–37).

Context & Exhortation: Asher was one of the northern tribes long scattered by exile, yet here is a woman from Asher still waiting in the temple. She gave thanks and spoke of Jesus “to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (2:38).

Decades of faithful, unseen waiting ended with her holding the promise in her own sight. We should be encouraged to know, Saints, that long seasons of prayer are not wasted.

Luke says she had lived with her husband only seven years before he died (2:36). She “departed not from the temple” (2:37).

Anna’s long wait ended in praise and witness. When God answers, those who wait faithfully will become joyful messengers.

Question 3. Which woman who helped support Jesus’ ministry was married to an official in Herod’s household?

Answer: Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward (Luke 8:3).

Context & Exhortation: Joanna travelled with Jesus and gave from her own means, alongside Mary Magdalene and Susanna. She was also among the women at the empty tomb (Luke 24:10).

The gospel reached into the palace of the man who beheaded John the Baptist. That’s who God is. No household is too far from Jesus’ reach.

Luke lists her among the women Jesus had healed of evil spirits and infirmities (8:2–3). Gratitude turned into giving. She was at the tomb when others had fled. 

Family, Joanna served Jesus quietly with her own money. Because she stayed faithful, she was among the first to see the empty tomb (Luke 24:10). Those who serve God quietly often get to see Him do great things.

Question 4. Where was Nathanael when Jesus said He saw him, before Philip ever called him?

Answer: Under the fig tree. “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee” (John 1:48).

Context & Exhortation: Nathanael had just scoffed, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (1:46). Jesus’ answer about the fig tree turned his doubt into a confession: “thou art the Son of God” (1:49).

Jesus saw Nathanael in a private moment before anyone introduced them. You are known before you ever come forward. Jesus greeted him as “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (1:47). 

Nathanael was honest, even in his doubt. Jesus promised he would see “greater things than these” (1:50). Honest seekers are never turned away.

Question 5. Name one of the two disciples Jesus walked with on the road to Emmaus.

Answer: Cleopas (Luke 24:18). The other disciple is not named.

Context & Exhortation: The two walked about seven miles with the risen Jesus without recognising Him, explaining the news to Him as if He were a stranger (24:13–24). They knew Him only when He broke bread. Sometimes Jesus is closest when we least recognise Him.

Their hearts were burning while He opened the Scriptures (24:32). 

Jesus began “at Moses and all the prophets” and explained the things concerning Himself (24:27). The whole Old Testament pointed to Him.

That same hour they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others (24:33). Meeting Jesus turned sad walkers into eager witnesses. Have we had a personal encounter with Jesus?

Question 6. After His arrest, Jesus was first led to someone other than Caiaphas. Who was it?

Answer: Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas (John 18:13).

Context & Exhortation: Annas had been high priest earlier and still held great influence. 

John records that he questioned Jesus about His disciples and teaching before sending Him bound to Caiaphas (18:19–24).

Jesus answered calmly: “I spake openly to the world” (18:20). 

A reminder for us today: When you speak the truth openly, you have nothing to hide when people question you.

While Jesus was questioned, an officer struck Him with his hand (18:22). Jesus answered, “if well, why smitest thou me?” (18:23).

Jesus stayed calm and asked for evidence. 

Gentleness and truth can stand together under pressure.

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