Q 01/05

Magdala, Mary Magdalene's presumed home village, lies on the shore of which body of water?

A) The Dead Sea

B) The Sea of Galilee

C) The Mediterranean

D) The Jordan River

Answer · why

B) The Sea of Galilee

Magdala was known in antiquity chiefly as a fishing town.

Q 02/05

Some scholars argue 'Magdalene' may have been an honorific nickname meaning what?

A) Rock

B) Star

C) Tower

D) Beloved

Answer · why

C) Tower

Elizabeth Schrader Polczer and Joan Taylor have made the case.

Q 03/05

Why did the gospel writers need to call her 'Magdalene' at all?

A) Jesus gave every disciple a second epithet

B) She had renounced her family and its identity

C) It was a formal religious title of honour

D) Mary was the era's most common Jewish girls' name

Answer · why

D) Mary was the era's most common Jewish girls' name

Several other women named Mary followed Jesus, including his mother.

Q 04/05

According to the Gospel of Luke, how many demons did Jesus cast out of Mary Magdalene?

A) Three

B) Seven

C) Twelve

D) One

Answer · why

B) Seven

Seven was the Jewish number of completion, so it may simply mean she was completely overwhelmed.

Q 05/05

Which gospel, thought to be the earliest, does not mention Mary Magdalene at all until the crucifixion?

A) Luke

B) Matthew

C) Mark

D) John

Answer · why

C) Mark

Luke 8:2-3 gives the only brief summary of her role during the ministry.