People of Life of Christ

Question 1

Mary

Answer 1

Mother of Jesus, wife of Joseph. Conceived Jesus as a virgin under the power of the Holy Spirit. Was present at the crucifixion and part of the original church in Jerusalem.

Question 2

Joseph

Answer 2

Husband of Mary, adoptive father of Jesus. A descendant of King David, though a rural carpenter in Galilee. Presumably died prior to Jesus’ public ministry.

Question 3

Zacharias & Elizabeth:

Answer 3

A Jewish priest, father of John the Baptist & his wife, Mary’s cousin.

Question 4

John the Baptist

Answer 4

Cousin of Jesus. Jewish ascetic, reformer, and prophetic forerunner of the Messiah. Called Israel to repentance in expectation of the Messianic age. His baptism of Jesus initiated Jesus’ ministry. Executed by Herod Antipas for opposing Antipas’ marriage to Herodias.

Question 5

Jesus

Answer 5

Jewish Messiah, Son of God. Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. Born in Bethlehem, hometown of King David. Raised in Nazareth. Proclaimed the arrival of the kingdom of God in his person and ministry. Opposed by Jewish authorities. Executed by Romans for sedition. Rose from the dead three days later.

Question 6

Peter

Answer 6

Disciple and chief apostle of Jesus. Originally named Simon, son of Jonah, Jesus changed name to Peter (Cephas). Led early church in Jerusalem. Evangelized first Gentile convert, Cornelius.

Question 7

James, son of Zebedee

Answer 7

With Peter and John, one of three principle disciples of Jesus. Brother of John. Executed by Herod Agrippa I.

Question 8

John, son of Zebedee

Answer 8

With Peter and James, one of three principle disciples of Jesus. With Peter, a primary leader of the Jerusalem church. Traditionally understood to be “the beloved disciple,” author of the 4th Gospel, and the “elder,” author of 1, 2, 3 John , and the author of Revelation.

Question 9

Herod Antipas

Answer 9

Son of Herod the Great. Named tetrarch of Galilee and Perea after Herod’s death. Interviewed Jesus prior to His execution.

Question 10

Judas Iscariot

Answer 10

Disciple and betrayer of Jesus.

Question 11

Caiaphas

Answer 11

High Priest of Israel, AD 18-37. Orchestrated arrest of Jesus. Presided over Jewish trial of Jesus and condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy.

Question 12

Pontius Pilate

Answer 12

Roman prefect of Judea, AD 26-36. Presided over the Roman trial of Jesus and condemned Jesus to crucifixion.

Question 13

Pharisees

Answer 13

(Heb. “separated ones”) One of 4 primary Jewish religio-political sects in the Second Temple period. Chief opponents of the Sadducees. Arose from the Hasidim during the Syrian/Hasmonean period opposing corruption in the priesthood and supporting the oral law. Practiced priestly purity, separatistic table fellowship, and scribal interpretation. Accepted the oral law and the resurrection. Opposed Jesus on matters of purity & legal interpretation/practice.

Question 14

Sadducees

Answer 14

(Heb. “Zadokites”?) One of 4 primary Jewish religio-political sects in the Second Temple period. Chief opponents of the Pharisees. Arose to protect High Priestly succession. In NT, they supported the High Priestly aristocracy and the centrality of the Jerusalem temple. Accepted only the authority of Torah. Rejected the doctrine of the resurrection. Became fatal opponents of Jesus after Jesus’ “cleansing” of the temple.