48 Bible Trivia Questions About John the Baptist

He preached in the wilderness, baptized crowds in the Jordan and pointed everyone to Jesus. How much do you remember about John the Baptist?

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Easy questions

  1. Question 1Easy

    What reason did Jesus give John the Baptist for needing to be baptized?

    Answer: C. To fulfill all righteousnessMatthew 3:15
    And Jesus answering said unto him, ‹Suffer› it to be so ‹now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.› Then he suffered him.
  2. Question 2Easy

    John the Baptist wore clothing made of soft, expensive sheep's wool because he was from a priestly family.

    Answer: FalseMark 1:6
    And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  3. Question 3Easy

    According to the Gospels, what insect did John the Baptist eat in the wilderness?

    Answer: A. LocustsMatthew 3:4
    And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  4. Question 4Easy

    What theological title did John the Baptist use for Jesus when he said, 'who takes away the sin of the world'?

    Answer: D. The Lamb of GodJohn 1:29
    The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
  5. Question 5Easy

    Who was the mother of John the Baptist?

    Answer: A. ElizabethLuke 1:13
    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  6. Question 6Easy

    Who held a grudge against John the Baptist and wanted to kill him?

    Answer: D. HerodiasMark 6:19
    Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
  7. Question 7Easy

    John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus.

    Answer: TrueLuke 1:36
    And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Medium questions

  1. Question 8Medium

    How did King Herod feel about the request for the head of John the Baptist?

    Answer: B. He was sorry (grieved)Matthew 14:9
    And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
  2. Question 9Medium

    John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because there was plenty of water there.

    Answer: TrueJohn 3:23
    And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  3. Question 10Medium

    What is the function of the 'winnowing fork' in John the Baptist's description of Jesus?

    Answer: B. Tossing grain into the wind to separate wheat from chaffMatthew 3:12
    Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
  4. Question 11Medium

    What did John the Baptist call the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism?

    Answer: A. Brood of vipersMatthew 3:7
    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  5. Question 12Medium

    What evidence did Jesus tell the disciples of John the Baptist to report back to him?

    Answer: D. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the poor have the gospel preached to themMatthew 11:4-5
    Jesus answered and said unto them, ‹Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:› ‹The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.›
  6. Question 13Medium

    Prompted by my mother, I asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Who am I?

    Answer: B. The daughter of Herodias (Salome)Matthew 14:8
    And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
  7. Question 14Medium

    Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and _____.

    Answer: D. ProphesiedLuke 1:67
    And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
  8. Question 15Medium

    Which prophet spoke of John the Baptist as 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness'?

    Answer: C. IsaiahMatthew 3:3
    For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  9. Question 16Medium

    According to John the Baptist, who is the one who 'stands and hears the bridegroom'?

    Answer: D. The friend of the bridegroomJohn 3:29
    He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
  10. Question 17Medium

    What did John the Baptist say about Jesus? 'He must increase, but I must _____.'

    Answer: B. DecreaseJohn 3:30
    He must increase, but I must decrease.
  11. Question 18Medium

    John the Baptist baptized with water for repentance, but the One coming after him would baptize with what?

    Answer: C. The Holy Spirit and fireMatthew 3:11
    I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  12. Question 19Medium

    John the Baptist said, 'A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from _____.'

    Answer: C. HeavenJohn 3:27
    John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
  13. Question 20Medium

    When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, where did He go?

    Answer: B. To a deserted place by boatMatthew 14:13
    When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
  14. Question 21Medium

    According to Zechariah's prophecy, the child John the Baptist would 'go before the face of the Lord' to _____.

    Answer: B. Prepare His waysLuke 1:76
    And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
  15. Question 22Medium

    When John the Baptist heard in prison about the works of Christ, what question did he send two of his disciples to ask Him?

    Answer: A. Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?Matthew 11:2-3
    Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
  16. Question 23Medium

    Who did Jesus say was the greatest among those born of women?

    Answer: B. John the BaptistMatthew 11:11
    ‹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.›
  17. Question 24Medium

    Who executed John the Baptist in the prison?

    Answer: B. An executioner (sentinel)Mark 6:27-28
    And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
  18. Question 25Medium

    In the spirit and power of which prophet would John the Baptist go before the Lord?

    Answer: D. ElijahLuke 1:17
    And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
  19. Question 26Medium

    Where was John the Baptist until the day of his manifestation to Israel?

    Answer: D. In the desertsLuke 1:80
    And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
  20. Question 27Medium

    According to John the Baptist, 'He who comes from above is _____.'

    Answer: C. Above allJohn 3:31
    He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
  21. Question 28Medium

    John the Baptist was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

    Answer: TrueJohn 1:8
    He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
  22. Question 29Medium

    When John the Baptist was born, what name did the neighbors and relatives want to give the child?

    Answer: B. ZachariasLuke 1:59-60
    And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
  23. Question 30Medium

    When the disciples of John the Baptist heard of his death, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

    Answer: TrueMark 6:29
    And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
  24. Question 31Medium

    John the Baptist said God is able to raise up children to Abraham from what?

    Answer: B. StonesMatthew 3:9
    And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  25. Question 32Medium

    What did Jesus tell John the Baptist's disciples to report back to John?

    Answer: A. What you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk...Luke 7:22
    Then Jesus answering said unto them, ‹Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.›
  26. Question 33Medium

    What did John the Baptist tell the people to do if they had two tunics?

    Answer: D. Give to him who has noneLuke 3:11
    He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
  27. Question 34Medium

    Herod feared John the Baptist, knowing he was a just and holy man, and protected him for a time.

    Answer: TrueMark 6:20
    For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
  28. Question 35Medium

    Who did King Herod think Jesus was after hearing of His miracles?

    Answer: A. John the Baptist raised from the deadMark 6:14-16
    And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
  29. Question 36Medium

    King Herod was glad to fulfill the girl's request for the head of John the Baptist.

    Answer: FalseMark 6:26
    And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
  30. Question 37Medium

    What did John the Baptist tell the Pharisees and Sadducees to produce?

    Answer: C. Fruits worthy of repentanceMatthew 3:8
    Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  31. Question 38Medium

    Who sent two disciples to ask Jesus, 'Are You the Coming One?'

    Answer: A. John the BaptistLuke 7:19
    And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
  32. Question 39Medium

    Where did John the Baptist baptize people?

    Answer: D. In the Jordan RiverMatthew 3:5-6
    Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
  33. Question 40Medium

    When Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus, who did he think Jesus was?

    Answer: A. John the Baptist risen from the deadMatthew 14:1-2
    At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
  34. Question 41Medium

    What did the disciples of John the Baptist do after his death?

    Answer: C. Took the body and buried it, and went and told JesusMatthew 14:12
    And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
  35. Question 42Medium

    Concerning John the Baptist, what did Jesus ask the crowds: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A _____ shaken by the wind?'

    Answer: D. ReedMatthew 11:7
    And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, ‹What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?›
  36. Question 43Medium

    Why did John the Baptist try to prevent Jesus from being baptized?

    Answer: A. He felt he needed to be baptized by JesusMatthew 3:14
    But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Hard questions

  1. Question 44Hard

    According to John the Baptist, 'even now the ax is laid to the _____ of the trees.'

    Answer: D. RootMatthew 3:10
    And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  2. Question 45Hard

    Jesus said there is no one greater than John the Baptist among those born of women, but who is greater than him?

    Answer: D. The one who is least in the kingdom of GodLuke 7:28
    ‹For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.›
  3. Question 46Hard

    What was the subject of the dispute between some of John the Baptist's disciples and a Jew?

    Answer: D. PurificationJohn 3:25
    Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
  4. Question 47Hard

    According to the angel's announcement to Zechariah, from what time would John the Baptist be filled with the Holy Spirit?

    Answer: A. From his mother's wombLuke 1:15
    For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
  5. Question 48Hard

    Why had John the Baptist been imprisoned by Herod?

    Answer: C. Because John said it was unlawful for Herod to have his brother's wifeMark 6:17-18
    For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

Answer key

  1. C. To fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15)
  2. False (Mark 1:6)
  3. A. Locusts (Matthew 3:4)
  4. D. The Lamb of God (John 1:29)
  5. A. Elizabeth (Luke 1:13)
  6. D. Herodias (Mark 6:19)
  7. True (Luke 1:36)
  8. B. He was sorry (grieved) (Matthew 14:9)
  9. True (John 3:23)
  10. B. Tossing grain into the wind to separate wheat from chaff (Matthew 3:12)
  11. A. Brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7)
  12. D. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:4-5)
  13. B. The daughter of Herodias (Salome) (Matthew 14:8)
  14. D. Prophesied (Luke 1:67)
  15. C. Isaiah (Matthew 3:3)
  16. D. The friend of the bridegroom (John 3:29)
  17. B. Decrease (John 3:30)
  18. C. The Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11)
  19. C. Heaven (John 3:27)
  20. B. To a deserted place by boat (Matthew 14:13)
  21. B. Prepare His ways (Luke 1:76)
  22. A. Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another? (Matthew 11:2-3)
  23. B. John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11)
  24. B. An executioner (sentinel) (Mark 6:27-28)
  25. D. Elijah (Luke 1:17)
  26. D. In the deserts (Luke 1:80)
  27. C. Above all (John 3:31)
  28. True (John 1:8)
  29. B. Zacharias (Luke 1:59-60)
  30. True (Mark 6:29)
  31. B. Stones (Matthew 3:9)
  32. A. What you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk... (Luke 7:22)
  33. D. Give to him who has none (Luke 3:11)
  34. True (Mark 6:20)
  35. A. John the Baptist raised from the dead (Mark 6:14-16)
  36. False (Mark 6:26)
  37. C. Fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8)
  38. A. John the Baptist (Luke 7:19)
  39. D. In the Jordan River (Matthew 3:5-6)
  40. A. John the Baptist risen from the dead (Matthew 14:1-2)
  41. C. Took the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus (Matthew 14:12)
  42. D. Reed (Matthew 11:7)
  43. A. He felt he needed to be baptized by Jesus (Matthew 3:14)
  44. D. Root (Matthew 3:10)
  45. D. The one who is least in the kingdom of God (Luke 7:28)
  46. D. Purification (John 3:25)
  47. A. From his mother's womb (Luke 1:15)
  48. C. Because John said it was unlawful for Herod to have his brother's wife (Mark 6:17-18)
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Who was John the Baptist?

John the Baptist was the son of the priest Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth, born in their old age after the angel Gabriel announced his birth (Luke 1:13). He preached in the wilderness of Judaea, wearing camel's hair and a leather girdle and eating locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:1–4). He called people to repent and baptized them in the Jordan, fulfilling Isaiah's words about a voice crying in the wilderness (Matthew 3:3).

When Jesus came to be baptized, the Spirit descended like a dove and a voice from heaven spoke (Matthew 3:13–17). John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29). He rebuked Herod for taking his brother Philip's wife Herodias, and was put in prison. After her daughter danced before Herod, she asked for John's head, and he was beheaded (Mark 6:17–28). Jesus said no one born of women was greater than John (Matthew 11:11).

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