Written by Dale Taliaferro
1. What emotional state were the disciples in when they left the upper room to go to the garden?
Anxious, fearful, troubled (John 14:1, 27).
2. What is John 13-17 called?
The Upper Room Discourse.
3. Why were the disciples so troubled?
a. They had probably been excommunicated by this time for professing Jesus as Christ (John 9:22).
b. The religious leaders had determined to kill Jesus and His followers (John 11:16).
c. One of the inner core was going to betray Him (John 13:20-30).
d. Peter was going to deny Him three times (John 13:38).
e. Jesus was going to leave them in the lurch (John 13:33).
4. For what did Jesus pray before they arrived at the garden?
Eternal security and temporal protection of the disciples (John 17:1-26).
5. What is the name of the garden?
Gethsemane.
6. Where is it located?
At the base of the Mount of Olives (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39).
7. What was the subject matter of Jesus’ great discourse upon this mountain?
Prophecy (Matt. 24-25).
8. What ravine did they have to cross to get to the garden?
The Kidron Valley (John 18:1).
9. What did they do just before going out to the Mount of Olives?
Sang a hymn(Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26).
10. Who accompanied Jesus the furthest into the garden?
Peter, James, and John (Matt. 26:37; Mark 14:33).
11. What command did Jesus give His disciples at this time?
“Remain here and keep watch with me” (Matt. 26:38).
12. How far did Jesus remove Himself to pray?
A stone’s throw (Luke 22:41).
13. What posture was Jesus in when He prayed?
On His knees, face down on the ground (Matt. 26:39; Mark 14:35).
14. What was Jesus’ emotional state at this time?
Deeply grieved to the point of death (Matt. 26:38; Mark 14:34).
15. How did Jesus address His prayer?
To the Father (Matt. 26:39).
16. What petition did Jesus make?
“Let this cup pass from Me” (Matt. 26:39).
17. With what concession did Jesus close His prayer?
“Yet not as I but as Thou will” (Matt. 26:39).
18. How long did Jesus pray this time?
One hour (Matt. 26:40).
19. Upon finding the disciples sleeping, what warning did He give them?
Once again, “Watch and pray” (Matt. 26:41).
20. What rationale does Jesus use to strengthen His warning?
“For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41).
21. What did Jesus pray the second time?
The same words (Mark 14:39).
22. When Jesus found the disciples asleep the second time, what excuse did they offer?
None (Mark 14:40).
23. What did Jesus pray the third time?
The same thing (Matt. 26:44).
24. How many people did Judas bring with him to arrest Jesus?
A multitude (Mark 14:33).
25. From whom was the crowd sent?
From the religious leaders (Matt. 26:47).
26. What happened to this multitude when Jesus identified Himself?
They fell backward upon the ground (John 18:4-6).
27. What did this signify?
As He had prophesied, none would take His life; He would give it up voluntarily (John 10:16-18).
28. What sign did Judas use to designate whom the crowd should arrest?
A kiss (Matt. 26:48).
29. How did Jesus convict Judas of his sin?
Confronted him before the kiss, stating, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48).
30. Which disciple drew his sword to protect Jesus?
Simon Peter (John 18:10).
31. What part of the body did Peter slice off when he attacked the servant of the high priest?
The ear (John 18:10).
32. What was the servant’s name?
Malchus (John 18:10).
33. What did Jesus say to Peter in rebuke?
a. “Live by the sword, die by the sword.”
b. “My Father could send 12 legions of angels.”
34. How did Jesus heal the servant’s ear?
By touching it (Luke 22:51).
35. Name two evidences that Jesus was in control during His arrest and that His arrest was moving along as it had been divinely appointed.
a. It was prophesied (Matt. 26:54; Mark 14:49; John 18:8-9).
b. Jesus’ comment, “The cup the Father gave me, I must fulfill,” reflects His earlier prayer to the Father.
36. What three things did Jesus say to rebuke the multitudes, including chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders?
a. “Have you come out to arrest Me as you would a robber with swords and sticks?”
b. “You did not try to arrest Me when I daily sat teaching in the temple.”
c. “This is your hour and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53).
37. Who was the young man who fled Gethsemane naked?
Tradition identifies him as John Mark (Mark 14:51-52).
38. To whom was Jesus presented first?
Annas the high priest (John 18:24).
39. To whom did Annas send Jesus?
Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57).
40. Which two disciples followed?
Peter and John (Matt. 26:58; John 18:15).
41. Where did Jesus meet with Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin?
Caiaphas’s house (Luke 22:54).
42. How did they attempt to convict Jesus?
By bringing in false witnesses (Matt. 26:59-60; Mark 14:55-56).
43. Of what did two false witnesses accuse Jesus?
The claim to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days (Matt. 26:61; Mark 14:57-59).
44. How did Jesus respond to all of the charges?
He remained silent (Matt. 26:63; Mark 14:61).
45. What question did Caiaphas then ask Jesus?
Was He the Christ, the Son of God? (Matt. 26:63; Mark 14:61).
46. How did Jesus answer the question?
He said “Egoeimi,” “I am” (Mark 14:62).
47. What did those who heard Him take His response to mean?
That He was the Messiah and also the Son of God, making Himself equal in person with God the Father (Matt. 26:65-66; Mark 14:63-64; John 5:18).
48. Had Jesus ever clearly claimed His deity before?
Yes (Mark 2:1-12; John 5:18; 8:58; 10:30; 14:9).
49. How did those with the priest respond to Jesus after Caiaphas sentenced Him to death?
a. They spit in His face.
b. They blindfolded Him and beat Him.
c. They asked Him to prophesy who hit Him.
d. Many other things that Scripture does not specify (Matt. 26:67-68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63-65).
50. What dilemma do Peter’s denials present to the reader?
The need to harmonize them. One can apparently list ten different denials by Peter.
51. How many denials did Jesus clearly prophesy that Peter would give?
Three.
52. What was the purpose of the regathering of the Sanhedrin at dawn?
Jesus was formally condemned by the Sanhedrin at that time. This action by the council was an effort to make the proceedings and the passing of judgment upon Jesus legal. But, as Greek expert A. T. Robertson writes, “No ratification of a wrong can make it right” (A Harmony of the Gospels, 215).
53. What did Judas feel when he realized he had helped condemn Jesus to death?
Remorse (Matt. 27:3).
54. How much did the chief priests and elders give Judas to betray Jesus?
Thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 27:3; 26:15).
55. How much would that be worth today?
The exact amount is unknown; it was the redemption price for a slave (Exod. 21:32).
56. What did Judas do with the money after he realized what he had done?
He tried to give it back. When they wouldn’t accept it, he threw it into the sanctuary, the Holy of Holies (Matt. 27:3-5).
57. What did Judas do next?
Hanged himself (Matt. 27:6).
58. What did the religious leaders do with the returned money?
Bought a field in which to bury foreigners— Potters Field or Field of Blood (Matt. 27:6-7; Acts 1:18-19).
59. What is significant about this action?
It fulfilled prophecy of both the price and the consequence (Matt. 27:7-10).
60. To whom did the council now take Jesus?
To Pilate (Matt. 27:2;Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:28-29).
61. What principle can we learn from the Jews’ legalism or “works” mentality at this point?
Legalism—actually any system of works—blinds one to his own sinfulness (John 18:28). They didn’t want to defile themselves by going into the palace, but they were willing to kill an innocent man.
62. What accusations did the religious leaders bring against Jesus?
a. He perverted the nation (Luke 23:2).
b. He prohibited the giving of tribute to Caesar (Luke 23:2).
c. He said He is Christ, a king (Luke 23:2). d. He stirred up the people (Luke 23:5).
63. What conclusion did Pilate come to after questioning Jesus?
a. “I find no fault in this man” (Luke 23:4).
b. “I find no crime in Him” (John 18:38).
64. To whom did Pilate send Jesus?
Herod Antipas the Tetrarch (Luke 23:7).
65. What was the stated reason Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas?
Jesus was a Galilean and under Herod’s jurisdiction (Luke 23:6-7).
66. How did Herod Antipas receive Jesus?
Gladly (Luke 23:8).
67. Why did he receive Jesus this way?
He wanted to see a miracle (Luke 23:8).
68. How did Jesus respond to Herod’s interrogation?
With silence (Luke 23:9).
69. How did Herod respond to this silent treatment?
He mocked Jesus(Luke 23:11).
70. What custom did Pilate attempt to use to keep from condemning Jesus?
The custom of freeing a prisoner during the feast (Matt. 27:15, 17; Luke 15:6, 9; John 18:39).
71. After Jesus’ interrogation by both Herod and Pilate, what was the governor’s verdict?
Neither he nor Herod had found Jesus worthy of death (Luke 23:15). In fact, Luke 23:14b says, “[I] have found no basis for your charges against Him.”
72. What was the name of the other man Pilate offered to release?
Barabbas (Matt. 27:16; Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18; John 18:40).
73. What motive did Pilate detect which propelled the chief priests to demand Jesus death?
Envy (Matt. 27:18; Mark 15:10).
74. Why was Barabbas imprisoned?
Insurrection and murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19).
75. From whom did Pilate receive a warning to have nothing to do with Jesus?
His wife (Matt. 27:19).
76. What motivated her to warn Pilate?
She had suffered many things that day in a dream because of Jesus (Matt. 27:19).
77. How did Pilate respond to Jesus before he again told the crowd he could “find no crime in Him?”
a. Pilate scourged Him (John 19:1).
b. He allowed the soldiers to (1) plait a crown of thorns and place it on His head; (2) array Him in a purple garment; (3) while mockingly hailing Him as the King of the Jews, beat Him with their fists (John 19:2-3).
78. How many times did Pilate confess he could find no cause for putting Jesus to death?
Three (Luke 23:22).
79. At this point, what accusations do the Jews make to claims that Jesus is worthy of death?
“He made Himself [out to be] the Son of God” (John 19:7).
80. After Pilate again tried to release Jesus, what threat did the Jews use to obtain Jesus’ condemnation?
“If you release Him, you are no friend of Caesar’s. Everyone who makes a king speaks against Caesar” (John 19:12).
81. What symbolic gesture did Pilate make to declare himself innocent of condemning a righteous man?
He washed his hands before the multitude and said, “I am innocent of the blood of the righteous man (Matt. 27:24).
82. When, exactly, did this happen?
This is the subject of a huge debate, but it was probably just before dawn on Friday.
83. What did Pilate do to Jesus before he handed Him over to be crucified?
a. He had Jesus scourged a second time! (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15).
b. He delivered Jesus over to his guards, who first mocked and beat Him, then crucified Him (Matt. 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19).
84. Who was enlisted to carry Jesus’ cross for Him?
Simon of Cyrene (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
85. What is the name of the way that Jesus walked to His crucifixion?
The Via Dolorosa, “Way of Suffering.”
86. Who accompanied Jesus along the path?
The two thieves (Luke 23:32).
87. What is the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?
In Hebrew, Golgotha (Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17).
88. What is this place called in Greek?
The cranium, the skull (Luke 23:33).
89. What is this place called in Latin?
Calvary.
90. Of what significance were the inscriptions on the crosses at crucifixions?
They identified the crime for which the person was being executed.
91. What were Jesus’s first words from the cross?
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
92. What is the first fulfillment of prophecy by those who crucified Jesus after He was nailed to the cross?
They cast lots over Jesus’ garments (John 19:24).
93. What inscription did Pilate place on Jesus’ cross?
“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).
94. In what languages was it written?
Aramaic, Latin, and Greek (John 19:20).
95. Who are the three women named in scripture who stood by the cross (John 19:25)?
a. Mary, mother of Jesus
b. Mary’s sister—the wife of Cleopas
c. Mary Magdalene
96. What was the second thing Jesus said from the cross and to whom was it addressed (John 19:27)?
To Mary: “Woman, behold, your son”; to John, “Behold your mother!”
97. At what hour was Jesus actually crucified?
The third hour—nine a.m. (Mark 15:25).
98. At what hour did darkness enshroud the earth?
The sixth hour (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).
99. How long did the darkness last?
Three hours (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).
100. Around the ninth hour, what did Jesus cry out?
“My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken me?” (Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani).
101. What was Jesus’ next-to-last utterance from the cross and to what did it refer?
“It is finished.” It referred to the penalty He paid on the cross (John 19:30).
102. At the death of Jesus, what physical phenomena occurred?
a. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 21:45).
b. There was an earthquake (Matt. 27:51).
c. Rocks were split apart (Matt. 27:51).
d. Tombs were opened (Matt. 27:52).
e. There were many resuscitations of the dead. They entered into the city, appeared to many, and stayed alive until after Jesus’ resurrection (Matt. 27:52-53).
103. The fear occasioned by these awesome phenomena moved the centurion at the foot of the cross to make what profession?
That Jesus was a righteous man and truly the Son of God (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47).
104. How did the multitudes respond to these awesome displays?
They returned to the city beating their breasts (Luke 23:48).
105. What reason did the Jews give to have Pilate break the legs of those crucified?
So as not to defile the sabbath-day Passover (John 19:31).
106. Instead of breaking Jesus’ legs, they did something else to Him, since He was already dead. What?
They pierced His side (John 19:33-34).
107. What resulted from the piercing, signifying that death had occurred?
Blood and water flowed out (John 19:34).
108. What two prophecies relate to Jesus’ legs not being broken?
a. No bone shall be broken (Exod. 12:46; Num. 9:12; Ps. 34:20).
b. They will look on me, the one they have pierced (Zach. 12:10).
109. Who asked Pilate for the body of Jesus for burial?
Joseph of Arimathea (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50; John 19:38).
110. How did Pilate confirm that Jesus had in fact died?
He called in the centurion in charge of the crucifixion (Mark 15:44-45).
111. Who helped Joseph prepare the body for burial?
Nicodemus (John 19:39).
112. What two spices were used in the burial preparation?
Myrrh and aloes (John 19:39).
113. How much was used?
One hundred pounds (John 19:39).
114. Who were the two women who watched where Joseph and Nicodemus buried Jesus?
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus (Matt. 27:61; Mark 15:47).
115. What reason did the chief priests and Pharisees give for sealing and guarding the sepulchre?
They secured the tomb for three days because they feared Jesus’ disciples would steal the body and tell the people He had risen (Matt. 27:62-66).
116. What supernatural event accompanied the great earthquake early on Sunday morning?
An angel of the Lord rolled back the tombstone and sat on it (Matt. 28:2-4).
117. What is curious about the angel and this appearance?
The angel came and went. Some saw the angel and some didn’t (John 28:2-10).
118. Who was the first person at the tomb early on Sunday morning?
Mary Magdalene (John 20:1).
119. Basically, what message did the angel give the women at the tomb?
“He is not here; He has risen just as He had said He would” (Matt. 28:5-7; Mark 16:26-7; Luke 24:5-7).
120. Who were the first two apostles to go to the empty tomb?
John and Peter (John 20:2).
121. What was curious about the burial wrappings?
They were in the tomb, neatly folded (John 20:5-7).
122. What excuse did the soldiers (who were paid by the chief priests and the elders) give for the disappearance of Jesus’ body?
“His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we slept” (Matt. 28:11-13).
123. What is so ludicrous about this excuse?
The guards who fell asleep, plus all of those in the unit, would have been executed.
124. Name some of the people to whom Jesus appeared after He arose.
Mary Magdalene, Cleopas and a friend, the eleven disciples, Thomas (Mark 16:9, 14; Luke 24:17; John 20:26).
125. How long did He appear to the disciples before He finally ascended?
Forty days (Acts 1:1-2).
© 1993 Probe Ministries International
Dr. Dale Taliaferro
Dr. Dale Taliaferro, formerly with Probe Ministries, earned both an M.Div. and M.Th., and received his D.Min. from Western Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. In 2003 he founded Equipped for Life Ministries, offering six week/lesson seminars on the Christian life, weekly Bible studies, and a two-year training program in Bible and Theology. He and his wife Waunee reside in Dallas, Texas.
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