Final Exam Questions

Question 1

What two key Old Testament figures is Matthew’s genealogy structured around?

Answer 1

David and Abraham

Question 2

What does form narrative criticism study?

Answer 2

To analyze the oral forms or units of traditions

Question 3

Who dominated the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ day?

Answer 3

The Sadducees

Question 4

Most people in the Roman Empire were from what “class”?

Answer 4

The Lower Class

Question 5

What is the comparison between the number of miracles in Mark’s Gospel versus the other three Gospels?

Answer 5

Strong Emphasis on Jesus’ authority in teaching and in miracles

Question 6

Which Gospels tell us anything about Jesus’ childhood?

Answer 6

Luke

Question 7

Which is the only Gospel relating that at the transfiguration, Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were discussing Jesus’ coming “departure” or exodus in Jerusalem?

Answer 7

Mark

Question 8

Whose Gospel places an emphasis on Jesus as the savior for all people?

Answer 8

Luke

Question 9

What is a “redactor”?

Answer 9

An editor

Question 10

Whose Gospel has a larger number of Aramaic words than the other two Synoptics?

Answer 10

Mark

Question 11

The healing of Jairus’s daughter is an example of which Gospel writers concise style?

Answer 11

Matthew

Question 12

At which two significant events does a voice from heaven address Jesus in Mark?

Answer 12

Baptism and Transfiguration

Question 13

What is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament called?

Answer 13

The Septuagint (LXX)

Question 14

Who probably established the Qumran community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Answer 14

The Essenes

Question 15

Which Gospel is considered to have been written first by most NT scholars?

Answer 15

Mark

Question 16

In reference to the text, what does “Synoptic” mean and what are the Synoptic Gospels?

Answer 16

“Viewed together” Matthew, Mark & Luke

Question 17

According to John Dominic Crossan, what did Jesus heal or cure?

Answer 17

He did not cure diseases but rather healed illnesses

Question 18

What was the basic premise of the history of religions school?

Answer 18

All religions develop from simple to complex

Question 19

Who authored- The Quest for the Historical Jesus?

Answer 19

Albert Schweitzer

Question 20

Who was likely the most influential NT scholar of the 20th century?

Answer 20

Rudolf Bultmann

Question 21

During what period was Historical Criticism first applied to the Bible?

Answer 21

The 17th and 18th century during the Enlightenment

Question 22

Where have most radical attacks on the historical Jesus in recent years (1980s-90s) come from?

Answer 22

The Jesus Seminar

Question 23

Which “criteria of authenticity” claims that a saying of Jesus is authentic if it appears neither in the teaching of Judaism nor in the teaching of the first-century Christianity?

Answer 23

Criteria of Dissimilarity

Question 24

Is there evidence in Johns Gospel of an eyewitness accounts?

Answer 24

Yes

Question 25

According to the text, did the Gospel writers feel at liberty to paraphrase, interpret or rearrange the words of Jesus or the events of his life

Answer 25

With an translation there is always going to be some differences so Yes

Question 26

What is the relationship do biases and presuppositions have with the writing of history?

Answer 26

All writing is subjective to a degree

Question 27

Would most NT scholars assert that in most cases we have the exact words of Jesus?

Answer 27

No we don't have the ippsissma verba (exact words) but the ipsissima voc (authentic voice)

Question 28

Do all four Gospel writers follow chronological order as they report events?

Answer 28

No

Question 29

How might most of the alleged contradictions between John and the Synoptics be explained? (particular thees)

Answer 29

By recognizing John like the Gospel writers, included, omitted, abbreviated, arranged, edited and interpreted the materials

Question 30

What was likely the language Jesus spoke?

Answer 30

Aramaic

Question 31

Which Gospel reports three Passovers?

Answer 31

John

Question 32

Which Gospel is famous for abbreviating accounts?

Answer 32

Matthew

Question 33

Which Gospel is the most interpretive of the Gospels?

Answer 33

John

Question 34

What is the concept of General Trustworthiness as it relates to the Gospel writers' reliability?

Answer 34

If a writer or historian can be demonstrated to be generally reliable, then the benefit of the doubt may be given to that writer in disputed cases

Question 35

Do all translations involve some level of interpretations?

Answer 35

Yes for instance Aramaic- Greek

Question 36

How did Jewish authorities treat the "prophets" and "messiahs" arising prior to Jesus?

Answer 36

Poorly, they were rejected

Question 37

How well known was John the Baptist in Palestine?

Answer 37

Well-known

Question 38

What was Jesus' central message concerning?

Answer 38

Gods kingdom and the need for people to repent of their sins and submit to Gods rule

Question 39

Which Gospel provides us with the most information concerning the length of Jesus' ministry?

Answer 39

John

Question 40

What are the two most likely dates for the year of Jesus' crucifixion?

Answer 40

Friday, Nisan 15 (Passover) in either AD 30 or 33

Question 41

Who feared that a revolt from John the Baptist's preaching would bring the Roman legions and spell disaster for the temple.

Answer 41

Herod Antipas

Question 42

What act of kindness was Mediterranean culture founded on?

Answer 42

Reciprocity

Question 43

What date did the pagan feast of Saturnalia typically fall on?

Answer 43

December 25

Question 44

Joseph's occupation, traditionally translated "carpenter:, might have him working with what materials? (more than wood)

Answer 44

Metal or Stone

Question 45

Is there any information about Jesus' childhood given in the Gospels?

Answer 45

Only in Luke with the Passover visit to Jerusalem when he was 12

Question 46

From whose perspective is Lukes birth narrative told?

Answer 46

Mary's

Question 47

Who ordered the census, requiring Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem?

Answer 47

Caesar Augustus

Question 48

Archelaus was whose son?

Answer 48

Herod the Great

Question 49

What familial relationships would most Roman Catholics theologians have said are shared between Jesus and His siblings? (following the interpretation of Jerome)

Answer 49

Cousins

Question 50

Which Gospel provides the only biblical account Jesus' childhood?

Answer 50

Luke

Question 51

In which OT book is Bethlehem prophesied as the birthplace of the coming ruler?

Answer 51

Micah

Question 52

The Gospels report that Jesus had how many brothers?

Answer 52

Four

Question 53

Did John the Baptist ever have doubts that Jesus as the Messiah?

Answer 53

Yes

Question 54

Who asked Herod for the head of John the Baptists?

Answer 54

Salome

Question 55

Why was Herod's marriage to Herodias such a problem for John the Baptist?

Answer 55

Because he was married to his brothers wife (after divorce)

Question 56

Some speculate that John the Baptist may have had contact with which monastic community?

Answer 56

The Essenes

Question 57

John the Baptists's ministry was across the Jordan from what territory?

Answer 57

Samaria

Question 58

What are the most undisputed historical event of Jesus' life?

Answer 58

His Baptism

Question 59

By what means did Herod Antipas have John the Baptist killed?

Answer 59

Execution

Question 60

Does Hebrew poetry normally rhyme?

Answer 60

No- parallel lines (synonymous parallelism)

Question 61

According to text, when Jesus speaks of blessing for the "poor", which referring to?

Answer 61

Both literal and spirtual

Question 62

How did Jesus feel about the eternal validity of the law?

Answer 62

Affirmed and Ignored

Question 63

What was the "tradition of the elders"?

Answer 63

The oral law later transcribed in the rabbinic writings

Question 64

What is the relationship between the study of miracles to scientific investigation and historical research?

Answer 64

It is outside the realm of strict scientific investigation

Question 65

When the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus on behalf of John If he is the "coming one", what did He say?

Answer 65

He told them of all the things he had been doing Alludes to Isaiah

Question 66

The most significant philosophical opposition to the miraculous came from which 18th century philosopher?

Answer 66

David Hume

Question 67

Who was the Jewish charismatic rabbi, whose prayers for rain were reportedly answer?

Answer 67

Honi the Rainmaker

Question 68

According to the text, what was the primary purpose for Jesus' healings and exorcisms in the Synoptic Gospels?

Answer 68

He viewed them as a spiritual assault on Satan and revealing of the presence and power of the kingdom in his ministry

Question 69

The accounts in the Gospels where Jesus raises people from the dead are best understood as what or by what term?

Answer 69

Resuscitation's or Revivifications

Question 70

Under whose authority did Jesus heal someone, or to cast out demons?

Answer 70

His own authority

Question 71

Who is considered the most prominent of the disciples?

Answer 71

Peter

Question 72

Who was the first of the apostles to be martyred?

Answer 72

James

Question 73

Traditionally, who is believed to be the youngest of the apostles?

Answer 73

John

Question 74

The phrase "Our Lord Comes!" is translated from which Aramaic phrase?

Answer 74

Maranatha

Question 75

What was Jesus' favorite title for himself?

Answer 75

Son of Man

Question 76

The OT predictions concerning God's salvation and the Gentiles took two distinct streams in Judaism. With which did Jesus identify?

Answer 76

2nd one- affirms not the subjection of the nations but their salvation

Question 77

The Greek word amen comes from a Hebrew word meaning what?

Answer 77

Confirmed or Verified

Question 78

According to most contemporary scholars today, who must have played some role in Jesus' death- the Romans or the Jewish authorities?

Answer 78

Both

Question 79

The evidence confirms that Jesus was executed by the Romans under what charge?

Answer 79

Sedition

Question 80

Historical evidence confirms that in Jesus' day, the charge of blasphemy could be made against someone for doing/ saying what?

Answer 80

More than just uttering the divine name of God. Other things like idolatry, arrogant disrespect of God, or insulting his chosen leaders.

Question 81

How did Jews carry out capital punishment?

Answer 81

They used stoning

Question 82

How did the Romans carry out capital punishment?

Answer 82

They used crucifixion

Question 83

According to the Mishnah, when/where was the Sanhedrin NOT allowed to meet?

Answer 83

At night on the eve of Passover or in the high priests home

Question 84

Jesus was first sent to whom? (the former priest)

Answer 84

Annas

Question 85

During The Passion week, Jesus found the money changers in what part of the Temple?

Answer 85

The Court of Gentiles

Question 86

What location did Jesus carry His cross to? ( where he was crucified)

Answer 86

The Place of the Skull

Question 87

Know the Events of the Passion Week

Answer 87

Triumphal Entry Cursing the fig tree, Cleansing of the temple Withered fig tree seen by disciple, temple controversies, Olivet discourse No mention of events- Wednesday Last Supper, Betrayal and Arrest, Trial before Annas and Caiphas Morning before trial by the Sanhedrin, Trial before Pilate and Herod, Crucifixion and Burial Dead in Tomb Resurrection and Ascension

Question 88

What would virtually no credible historian today deny about Jesus' life/death?

Answer 88

That he was crucified in Judea under orders from Pontius Pilate in AD 30

Question 89

Is there a well developed theology of the Resurrection in the OT?

Answer 89

No only in Daniel 12

Question 90

In what way is the Jewish claim that the disciples stole the body (Matt:28:11-15) indirect evidence for the resurrection?

Answer 90

It confirms that the tomb was empty

Question 91

The women were told to tell the disciples to go where?

Answer 91

Galilee

Question 92

What group did not believe in the afterlife or the resurrection of the body?

Answer 92

The Sadducees

Question 93

Which Gospel recounts Jesus' appearance to two disciples as they were traveling to Emmaus?

Answer 93

Luke

Question 94

Where did the disciples receive the Great Commission?

Answer 94

On a Mtn in Galilee - Mt of Olives

Question 95

Which writer, who provides the earliest testimony of the resurrection, claims that more than 500 people saw Jesus alive?

Answer 95

Paul

Question 96

According to the Gospels, Jesus was buried in whose tomb?

Answer 96

Joseph of Arimathea

Question 97

How was the Pharisees' piety and spiritual devotion received by the people?

Answer 97

They were admired

Question 98

Which Gospel provides information concerning the early life of John the Baptist?

Answer 98

Luke