Q 01/05

According to the Gospel of Luke, who were John the Baptist's parents?

A) Zechariah and Elizabeth

B) Joseph and Mary

C) Simeon and Anna

D) Joachim and Anne

Answer · why

A) Zechariah and Elizabeth

Zechariah and Elizabeth both came from Aaron's priestly line and were too old to expect a child. Luke calls the mother a relative of Mary, which is wh...

Q 02/05

Which angel announced John the Baptist's birth to his father in the Temple?

A) Gabriel

B) Raphael

C) Michael

D) Uriel

Answer · why

A) Gabriel

Gabriel appeared beside the altar of incense while the old priest served alone in the sanctuary. Luke sends the same angel to Mary months later with n...

Q 03/05

What happened to John the Baptist's father when he doubted the angel's message?

A) He went blind

B) He was struck dumb

C) He fell into a coma

D) He was expelled from the priesthood

Answer · why

B) He was struck dumb

He was struck dumb until the baby's naming day, when he wrote 'His name is John' on a tablet. His speech returned at once, and his song of thanks is s...

Q 04/05

The Church fixed John the Baptist's birthday feast by counting back from which other feast?

A) Easter

B) Christmas

C) Epiphany

D) Pentecost

Answer · why

B) Christmas

Christmas sets the date: Luke says John's mother was six months pregnant when Mary conceived, so his birthday feast was placed six months ahead of Jes...

Q 05/05

Christian tradition places John's birthplace at Ein Karem, a village on the outskirts of which city?

A) Bethlehem

B) Nazareth

C) Hebron

D) Jerusalem

Answer · why

D) Jerusalem

Jerusalem lies about five miles north-east of Ein Karem and has since absorbed it as a neighbourhood. Luke says only that John's parents lived in 'a c...