Bible quiz
Good Friday Bible Quiz
This Good Friday Bible quiz has 20 questions on the day Jesus was tried, crucified and buried, as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe it. It moves from the high priest's house to Pilate, the cross and the tomb, and every answer shows the verse it comes from in the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
- Mixed levels
- 20 questions
- About 5 min
- Answers checked against the BSB
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Hi, I’m Pip. 20 questions, about 5 minutes. Every answer comes with its verse.
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1 of 20 · Easy
What does this Good Friday quiz cover?
All four Gospels give a detailed account of Jesus' last day: Matthew 26:57–27:66, Mark 14:53–15:47, Luke 22:54–23:56 and John 18:12–19:42. The quiz follows that day in order. It starts with Jesus taken to Caiaphas and handed to Pilate, then turns to Herod, Pilate's wife, Barabbas and the crown of thorns. The middle questions cover the road to the cross and the sign above it, and the last ones look at the words Jesus spoke from the cross, the darkness, the torn veil and the burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Each Gospel records some sayings and scenes the others do not, so each question names the book it is taken from. The arrest and the Last Supper are in the Holy Week Bible quiz, and the empty tomb in the Easter Bible trivia quiz.
Why is it called Good Friday, and was Jesus crucified on a Friday?
The name Good Friday is not in the Bible. It comes from later English usage, and other languages call the day Holy Friday or Great Friday. Christians call it good because they believe Jesus' death brought forgiveness, the theme of Isaiah 53:5, "He was pierced for our transgressions."
The Gospels say Jesus died on the Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath (Mark 15:42; John 19:31), which is why most churches remember the crucifixion on the Friday before Easter. A few Christians and scholars have proposed a different day, but the Friday reading is the most widely held. For the background, read about Jesus and his mother Mary, who stood near the cross (John 19:25).
How can you use this quiz on Good Friday?
Because the subject is the death of Jesus, many leaders use this quiz in a quieter way than a party game: as a reading guide before a Good Friday service, a Bible study for adults or teens, or a reflection for a family. You might read one Gospel's account of the crucifixion aloud, answer the questions from it, and then pause on each verse. For a full series, use the Lent Bible quiz first, and for groups without screens try the printable Bible quizzes.
All questions and answers
Try each question first, then open the answer to see the verse it comes from (Berean Standard Bible).
1. According to Matthew 26:57, to whose house was Jesus led after his arrest?Medium
- Pontius Pilate
- King Herod
- Joseph of Arimathea
- Caiaphas the high priest
Show answer
Answer: D. Caiaphas the high priest
Those who arrested Jesus led him to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.
“Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.”
2. When morning came, to whom did the chief priests and elders hand Jesus over?Easy
- Herod the king
- Pilate the governor
- Caesar's centurion
- The Sanhedrin of Galilee
Show answer
Answer: B. Pilate the governor
They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
“When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.”
3. According to Luke 23, why did Pilate send Jesus to Herod?Medium
- Herod was the high priest
- Herod had asked to crucify Him
- Pilate had left Jerusalem
- Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction as a Galilean
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Answer: D. Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction as a Galilean
Learning that Jesus was a Galilean under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time.
“When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.”
4. What message did Pilate's wife send him while he sat on the judgment seat?Medium
- Release Barabbas instead
- Send Him to Caesar
- Have nothing to do with that innocent man
- Let the priests decide
Show answer
Answer: C. Have nothing to do with that innocent man
She told him to have nothing to do with that innocent man, because she had suffered terribly in a dream because of him.
“While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.””
5. Which prisoner did the crowd ask Pilate to release instead of Jesus?Easy
- Simon
- Malchus
- Theudas
- Barabbas
Show answer
Answer: D. Barabbas
When Pilate asked which of the two they wanted released, the crowd replied, "Barabbas."
““Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied.”
6. What did Pilate do before the crowd when he saw a riot was breaking out?Easy
- He washed his hands
- He tore his robe
- He freed Jesus
- He left for Rome
Show answer
Answer: A. He washed his hands
Pilate took water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood."
“When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.””
7. According to Matthew 27, what color was the robe the soldiers put on Jesus?Medium
- White
- Scarlet
- Blue
- Black
Show answer
Answer: B. Scarlet
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, twisted together a crown of thorns and mocked him as King of the Jews.
“They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt down before Him to mock Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!””
8. Who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus in Mark 15?Easy
- Simon Peter
- Joseph of Arimathea
- Simon of Cyrene
- A Roman centurion
Show answer
Answer: C. Simon of Cyrene
The soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross as he came in from the country.
“Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.”
9. According to John 19:20, in which three languages was the sign on the cross written?Medium
- Hebrew, Greek and Egyptian
- Latin, Greek and Persian
- Aramaic, Latin and Arabic
- Hebrew, Latin and Greek
Show answer
Answer: D. Hebrew, Latin and Greek
Pilate's notice read JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
“Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.”
10. Why did the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' tunic instead of dividing it?Medium
- It belonged to Pilate
- It was seamless, woven in one piece
- It was made of gold thread
- The centurion wanted it whole
Show answer
Answer: B. It was seamless, woven in one piece
The tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they cast lots for it, fulfilling the Scripture about his clothing.
“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.”
11. According to Luke 23:34, what did Jesus pray for those who crucified him?Easy
- Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing
- Father, judge them on the last day
- Father, take this cup from Me
- Father, send Your angels
Show answer
Answer: A. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing," while they divided his garments by casting lots.
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.”
12. In Luke 23, to whom did Jesus say, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise"?Easy
- The Roman centurion
- His mother Mary
- Joseph of Arimathea
- One of the criminals crucified with Him
Show answer
Answer: D. One of the criminals crucified with Him
One criminal rebuked the other and asked Jesus to remember him; Jesus told him, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise."
“But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””
13. According to John 19, to whom did Jesus entrust his mother from the cross?Medium
- Peter
- His brother James
- The disciple whom He loved
- Mary Magdalene
Show answer
Answer: C. The disciple whom He loved
Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple he loved, "Here is your mother," and that disciple took her into his home.
“When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.”
14. According to Matthew 27:45, from which hour to which hour did darkness come over all the land?Medium
- From the first hour to the third hour
- From the sixth hour to the ninth hour
- From the third hour to the sixth hour
- From the ninth hour until midnight
Show answer
Answer: B. From the sixth hour to the ninth hour
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.”
15. What happened to the veil of the temple at the moment Jesus died?Medium
- It was torn in two from top to bottom
- It caught fire
- It was taken down by the priests
- It turned white
Show answer
Answer: A. It was torn in two from top to bottom
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked and the rocks were split.
“At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.”
16. According to Matthew 27:54, what did the centurion and those with him say?Medium
- Truly this was the Son of God
- This man was a prophet
- Behold the King of the Jews
- We have done wrong
Show answer
Answer: A. Truly this was the Son of God
When they saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, "Truly this was the Son of God."
“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.””
17. According to John 19:30, what did Jesus say after he received the sour wine?Easy
- I thirst
- It is finished
- Into Your hands I commit My Spirit
- Today you will be with Me
Show answer
Answer: B. It is finished
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," bowed his head and yielded up his spirit.
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.”
18. Who went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus?Easy
- Nicodemus
- Peter
- Joseph of Arimathea
- Lazarus
Show answer
Answer: C. Joseph of Arimathea
When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for the body.
“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.”
19. According to John 19:39, what did Nicodemus bring for the burial of Jesus?Hard
- A jar of pure nard
- Fine linen and frankincense
- About seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes
- Spices bought by the women
Show answer
Answer: C. About seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes
Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
“Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body. Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.”
20. According to Mark 15:42, what day was it when Jesus died?Hard
- Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath
- The first day of the week
- The Day of Atonement
- The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles
Show answer
Answer: A. Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath
Mark says it was Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath, which is why most churches remember the crucifixion on a Friday.
“Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath),”
Frequently asked questions
Where is Good Friday in the Bible?
The trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus are told in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 18-19. The name Good Friday is not used in the Bible; it comes from later church tradition.
What were Jesus' last words on the cross?
The Gospels record different sayings. In Luke 23:46 Jesus says, "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit," and in John 19:30 he says, "It is finished." Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 record his cry from Psalm 22:1.
How long was Jesus on the cross?
Mark 15:25 says Jesus was crucified at the third hour, and Matthew 27:45–50 says darkness covered the land from the sixth to the ninth hour, around which time he died. That is roughly six hours by the Jewish way of counting the day from sunrise.
Who carried the cross of Jesus?
John 19:17 says Jesus went out carrying his own cross, and Matthew, Mark and Luke say the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry it (Mark 15:21).
Who buried Jesus?
Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body (Matthew 27:57–58), and Nicodemus brought about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). They laid Jesus in a new tomb cut in the rock.