Think you know your Bible characters?
From kings and prophets to fishermen and judges, this Bible 18 Challenge tests how well you know some of the best-known men and women in Scripture.
Like every challenge in this series, there are 18 multiple-choice questions, followed by answers and short explanations. No peeking!
Questions
1. Who built the ark?
A. Moses
B. Abraham
C. Noah
D. David
2. Who defeated Goliath?
A. Saul
B. David
C. Jonathan
D. Samson
3. Who interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams?
A. Daniel
B. Joseph
C. Samuel
D. Ezra
4. Who led the Israelites out of Egypt?
A. Joshua
B. Aaron
C. Moses
D. Caleb
5. Who spent three days inside a great fish?
A. Amos
B. Jonah
C. Elijah
D. Elisha
6. Who survived the lions’ den?
A. Jeremiah
B. Ezekiel
C. Daniel
D. Isaiah
7. Who became king after Saul?
A. Solomon
B. David
C. Hezekiah
D. Rehoboam
8. Who was known as the strongest man in the Bible?
A. Samson
B. Gideon
C. Saul
D. Joshua
9. Who baptised Jesus?
A. Peter
B. John the Baptist
C. Andrew
D. Philip
10. Who denied Jesus three times?
A. Thomas
B. Peter
C. John
D. Matthew
11. Who doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he saw Him?
A. James
B. Andrew
C. Thomas
D. Philip
12. Who was the first Christian martyr?
A. Stephen
B. Paul
C. Barnabas
D. Silas
13. Who wrote many of the New Testament letters?
A. Luke
B. Peter
C. Paul
D. James
14. Who travelled with Paul and wrote Acts?
A. Mark
B. Luke
C. Timothy
D. Titus
15. Who received the Revelation on Patmos?
A. Peter
B. John
C. James
D. Jude
16. Who betrayed Jesus?
A. Judas Iscariot
B. Peter
C. Caiaphas
D. Pilate
17. Who was the mother of Jesus?
A. Martha
B. Mary Magdalene
C. Elizabeth
D. Mary
18. Who is called the Father of Faith?
A. Isaac
B. Jacob
C. Abraham
D. Noah
✅ Answers
1. C — Noah
Noah was the man God instructed to build the ark before the great Flood. He obeyed God’s instructions and brought his family and representatives of the animals aboard the ark so they could survive. Noah’s story is one of the Bible’s best-known examples of faith and obedience.
If you enjoyed this question, you’ll find plenty more smiles in our Genesis Bible Jokes, including jokes about Noah and the ark.
2. B — David
David defeated the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling and a stone. While the Israelite soldiers were terrified of Goliath, David trusted that God would help him, despite being much smaller and less experienced.
David’s victory became one of the Bible’s best-known examples of courage and faith. For more about David and other biblical men, have a look at Men of God in the Bible.
3. B — Joseph
Joseph was the son of Jacob who was given the ability to interpret dreams. After his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph eventually rose to a position of great authority in Egypt.
When Pharaoh had troubling dreams about seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, Joseph interpreted them and advised Pharaoh to prepare for the coming famine. His wisdom ultimately helped save many lives, including those of his own family.
If you enjoyed this question, take a look at our Genesis Bible Jokes, where Joseph’s famous coat of many colours gets a little attention too.
4. C — Moses
Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. After Pharaoh refused to release them, God sent the Ten Plagues, and the Israelites eventually left Egypt under Moses’ leadership.
Moses then led the people toward the Promised Land, which included the dramatic crossing of the Red Sea and receiving the Ten Commandments, after which he continued to lead the Israelites through the wilderness.
If you enjoyed this question, you’ll love our family-friendly Exodus Bible Jokes, inspired by Moses, the plagues, the burning bush, and the parting of the sea.
5. B — Jonah
Jonah was the prophet who spent three days and three nights inside a great fish after attempting to flee from God’s command to go to Nineveh. Eventually, Jonah prayed to God and was brought safely back to dry land.
The story is about much more than the fish. It also explores our obedience, repentance, God’s mercy, and Jonah’s reluctance to see that mercy extended to the people of Nineveh too. For a lighter look at this unforgettable prophet, visit our Jonah Bible Jokes.
6. C — Daniel
Daniel was taken to Babylon as a young man, but continued to remain faithful to God despite living in a foreign land. When a law was passed forbidding prayer to anyone except to the king, Daniel continued praying to God as he always had.
As a result, Daniel was thrown into a den of lions. God protected him through the night, and Daniel emerged unharmed the next morning. For some lion-sized laughs after this remarkable story, visit our Daniel Bible Jokes.
7. B — David
David became the king of Israel after Saul, but his journey to the throne was far from straightforward. He began as a simple shepherd, defeated Goliath, served in Saul’s court, and spent years fleeing from Saul before eventually becoming king.
King David’s life included both extraordinary victories and serious failures, but Scripture also shows his repeated desire to return to God.
For more about David and other biblical men, have a look at Men of God in the Bible.
8. A — Samson
Samson was one of the judges of Israel and was famous for his extraordinary physical strength. His strength was connected with God’s calling on his life, although Samson repeatedly made choices that brought trouble upon himself.
His story includes his conflict with the Philistines, his relationship with Delilah, his capture, and his final act of strength when he brought down the temple of Dagon.
Samson’s story is a fascinating reminder that having great gifts does not mean we are immune to the consequences of poor choices.
9. B — John the Baptist
John the Baptist was the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. He preached repentance and baptised people in the Jordan River, including Jesus Himself.
When Jesus came to be baptised, John initially felt unworthy to perform the baptism, but Jesus convinced him to do it. The event marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and was accompanied by the Spirit descending like a dove and a voice from heaven.
John’s entire ministry pointed people toward Christ rather than toward himself.
10. B — Peter
Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and one of the most prominent figures in the Gospels. Although Peter confidently declared that he would never abandon Jesus, Jesus told him that he would deny Him three times.
During the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter did exactly that. Yet his story didn’t end with his failure. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was restored and went on to become one of the leading figures in the early Christian Church. His story is a powerful reminder that failure does not have to be the end of someone’s story.
If you enjoyed reading about the early Church, you’ll find plenty more about Peter and the apostles in our Acts Bible Jokes.
11. C — Thomas
After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, initially struggled to believe that Jesus was alive and said that he needed to see and touch Jesus’ wounds before he would believe.
When Jesus later appeared to the disciples while Thomas was present, he told him to touch the holes in His hands and His feet. Thomas responded with a declaration of faith.
Thomas is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas,” but his story also reminds us that questions and doubts can be part of a person’s journey toward deeper faith.
12. A — Stephen
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to help serve the early Christian community in Jerusalem. He was also a powerful preacher who performed signs and wonders.
His preaching angered some of the religious authorities, and Stephen was eventually brought before the council. After giving a powerful defense of his faith, he was taken outside the city and stoned to death.
Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr recorded in the New Testament. His death also connects directly with the story of Paul, who was present and approved of Stephen’s execution before his own dramatic conversion.
If you liked learning more through this question, have a look at our Acts Bible Jokes for a much lighter look at the adventures of the early Church.
13. C — Paul
Paul, originally known as Saul, went from persecuting the followers of Jesus to becoming one of Christianity’s most influential missionaries. His dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus completely changed the direction of his life.
Paul travelled extensively, preached the Gospel, endured imprisonment and persecution, survived shipwrecks, and wrote many of the letters that became part of the New Testament. His transformation is one of the most remarkable stories in the New Testament.
If you enjoyed this question, our Acts Bible Jokes include plenty of humour inspired by Paul’s adventures.
14. B — Luke
Luke was a physician and a companion of Paul who traveled on most of his journeys. He is traditionally understood to be the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, which together make up a substantial portion of the New Testament.
The Book of Acts records the growth of the early Christian Church, beginning with the Feast of Pentecost and following the spread of the Gospel through the missionary journeys of Paul and others.
If you enjoyed this question, take a look at our Acts Bible Jokes for a much lighter look at some of the events Luke recorded.
15. B — John
The Book of Revelation identifies its author as John and describes his visions while he was on the island of Patmos. The book contains vivid imagery concerning God’s judgment, the triumph of Christ, and the ultimate renewal of creation,.
If you’d like to explore Revelation in a simpler way, have a look at our Book of Revelation: A Simple Chapter by Chapter Summary. Or if you’d prefer end time jokes, go here.
16. A — Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was a chosen disciple of Jesus, but he ultimately betrayed Him to the religious authorities. He agreed to identify Jesus to them, leading to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Judas’ betrayal is particularly sobering because he had spent years travelling with Jesus and witnessing His ministry firsthand. His story is one of the most tragic episodes in the Gospel accounts.
17. D — Mary
Mary was the young Jewish woman chosen to become the mother of Jesus. The angel Gabriel announced to her that she would conceive Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary responded with humility and faith, accepting a calling that would completely change her life. She witnessed both the joy surrounding Jesus’ birth and the grief of His crucifixion.
Mary’s story makes her one of the most significant women in the New Testament and an important example of faith and obedience.
For more about women whose lives and faith are recorded in Scripture, you can also explore Women of God in the Bible.
18. C — Abraham
Abraham is often called the Father of Faith because of his extraordinary trust in God. God called Abraham to leave his homeland of Ur and journey to a land that God would show him, and Abraham obeyed even though he did not know exactly where the journey would lead.
God later promised Abraham that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, despite Abraham and Sarah being well beyond the normal childbearing years. Abraham’s willingness to trust God’s promises became foundational to the biblical understanding of faith.
If you enjoyed this question, you can learn more about Abraham and other biblical men in our Men of God in the Bible.
🎉 How Did You Do?
🏆 18/18 — Bible Champion! You aced the Bible 18 Challenge!
📖 15–17 — Excellent! You’re well on your way.
🌱 10–14 — Great effort! Keep reading and growing.
💙 Below 10 — Every Bible expert started somewhere. Come back and try Challenge #3!
📖 Continue the Challenge
If you enjoyed this quiz, you might also like:
- Genesis Bible Jokes
- Exodus Bible Jokes
- Jonah Bible Jokes
- Daniel Bible Jokes
- Acts Bible Jokes
- Men of God in the Bible
- Book of Revelation: A Simple Chapter by Chapter Summary
Heya, I’m Abby! I’m a Gourmand Award-winning cookbook author and East Indian from Bombay, India. This blog is all about faith, food, and culture – from East Indian recipes to home, DIY, and spending time in the Word. Find out more about me here!