Bible quiz
Pentecost Bible Quiz
This Pentecost Bible quiz has 20 questions on the day the Holy Spirit came on Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, as Acts 2 tells it, along with the promises before it and the Old Testament Feast of Weeks behind it. The questions go from easy to hard, 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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What does this Pentecost quiz cover?
Pentecost was already a Jewish festival before it became a Christian one. The Law calls it the Feast of Weeks, a harvest festival held fifty days after the offering of the first sheaf (Leviticus 23:15–16), and the Greek name Pentecost means fiftieth. That is why Jews from many nations were in Jerusalem on the day described in Acts 2.
The quiz starts with Acts 1: Jesus' appearances over forty days, his command to wait in Jerusalem, his ascension from the Mount of Olives and his promise that the disciples would be his witnesses. It then moves through Acts 2 in order: the wind and the tongues of fire, the crowd hearing their own languages, the charge of drunkenness, Peter's sermon from the prophet Joel and the life of the first believers. A few questions go back to Jesus' promises of the Holy Spirit in John 14 and John 20. For more on the book, see Acts and the life of Peter.
Why do Christians celebrate Pentecost?
Most churches celebrate Pentecost on the seventh Sunday after Easter as the day the Holy Spirit was poured out and the church began to grow from a small group into a community of thousands. Western and Orthodox churches often keep it on different dates because they calculate Easter differently, and traditions emphasize different things: some focus on the gift of the Spirit to every believer, others on the church's mission to all nations, and Pentecostal and charismatic churches give special attention to the gifts described in Acts 2.
This quiz does not take sides on those questions. It asks what the text says, so the answers can be checked in Acts and the other passages whatever your tradition. For an overview of the festival and its readings, see Pentecost in the Bible.
How can you use this quiz?
Pentecost is a good Sunday for a quiz after a service, a youth group night or a family reading of Acts 2. Read Acts 1-2 aloud first, then play the questions in order. If your group followed the Easter Bible trivia quiz, this quiz picks up where the resurrection appearances end. For more about the people in these chapters, read about the twelve apostles, and for printed copies use 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 Acts 1:3, over how many days did the risen Jesus appear to the apostles?Medium
- Seven days
- Three days
- Fifty days
- Forty days
Show answer
Answer: D. Forty days
After his suffering Jesus presented himself alive with many convincing proofs, appearing over a span of forty days.
“After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
2. In Acts 1:4, what did Jesus command the apostles to do?Easy
- Not to leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promised gift
- Go back to Galilee and fish
- Build a church on the Mount of Olives
- Choose seven deacons
Show answer
Answer: A. Not to leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promised gift
Jesus told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised."
“And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.””
3. According to Acts 1:8, where would the disciples be Jesus' witnesses?Medium
- Only in Jerusalem
- In Galilee and Egypt
- In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
- In Rome, Athens and Corinth
Show answer
Answer: C. In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
Jesus said they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came, and would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
4. According to Acts 1:9, what hid Jesus from the disciples' sight as he was taken up?Easy
- A whirlwind
- A chariot of fire
- A cloud
- A great light
Show answer
Answer: C. A cloud
They watched as he was taken up, and a cloud hid him from their sight. The whirlwind and chariot of fire belong to Elijah's story.
“After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.”
5. From which mountain did the disciples return to Jerusalem after Jesus was taken up?Medium
- Mount Sinai
- Mount Carmel
- Mount Zion
- The Mount of Olives
Show answer
Answer: D. The Mount of Olives
They returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's journey from the city.
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.”
6. According to Leviticus 23:16, how many days were counted to the Feast of Weeks, the festival later called Pentecost?Medium
- Fifty days
- Forty days
- Seven days
- Seventy days
Show answer
Answer: A. Fifty days
Israel counted off seven full weeks, fifty days, and then presented an offering of new grain. The Greek word Pentecost means fiftieth.
“From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count off seven full weeks. You shall count off fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD.”
7. According to Exodus 34:22, the Feast of Weeks was celebrated with the firstfruits of which harvest?Hard
- The olive harvest
- The wheat harvest
- The grape harvest
- The fig harvest
Show answer
Answer: B. The wheat harvest
God told Israel to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest.
“And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.”
8. According to Acts 2:2, what sound filled the house where the believers were sitting?Easy
- A trumpet blast
- A roll of thunder
- A sound like a mighty rushing wind
- Singing like a choir
Show answer
Answer: C. A sound like a mighty rushing wind
Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
“Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
9. What came to rest on each of the believers in Acts 2:3?Easy
- Tongues like flames of fire
- A white dove
- Drops of oil
- Rays of light
Show answer
Answer: A. Tongues like flames of fire
They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
“They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”
10. Why was the crowd in Jerusalem bewildered in Acts 2:6?Medium
- The temple doors opened by themselves
- The sun went dark at noon
- Each one heard them speaking his own language
- The disciples were glowing
Show answer
Answer: C. Each one heard them speaking his own language
When the sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.”
11. Which of these groups is named among the crowd at Pentecost in Acts 2:9?Hard
- Elamites
- Babylonians
- Persians
- Ethiopians
Show answer
Answer: A. Elamites
The list begins with Parthians, Medes and Elamites, and goes on to people from Mesopotamia, Asia, Egypt, Rome, Crete and Arabia.
“Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12. What did some people in the crowd say when they heard the believers?Medium
- They are speaking in riddles
- They are drunk on new wine
- They are possessed
- They are Roman spies
Show answer
Answer: B. They are drunk on new wine
Some were amazed, but others mocked them and said, "They are drunk on new wine!"
“Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!””
13. Who stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd at Pentecost?Easy
- James
- Stephen
- Peter
- Paul
Show answer
Answer: C. Peter
Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed the men of Judea and all who lived in Jerusalem.
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words.”
14. What did Peter say about the time of day to show the believers were not drunk?Hard
- It was the Sabbath
- It was only the third hour of the day
- It was still the night watch
- The feast had not begun
Show answer
Answer: B. It was only the third hour of the day
Peter said, "These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day!"
“These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day!”
15. Which prophet did Peter quote, "I will pour out My Spirit on all people"?Medium
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Malachi
- Joel
Show answer
Answer: D. Joel
Peter said this was what was spoken by the prophet Joel, and quoted Joel 2:28.
“No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
16. When the crowd asked, "What shall we do?", what did Peter tell them?Easy
- Offer a sacrifice in the temple
- Repent and be baptized
- Go home and fast
- Wait for another sign
Show answer
Answer: B. Repent and be baptized
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
17. According to Acts 2:42, the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, the fellowship, prayer and what?Medium
- The keeping of the Sabbath
- The singing of psalms
- The study of the prophets
- The breaking of bread
Show answer
Answer: D. The breaking of bread
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
18. According to Acts 2:44–45, how did the first believers treat their possessions?Medium
- They had everything in common and shared with those in need
- They gave everything to the temple
- They kept them hidden
- They sold them to pay the Romans
Show answer
Answer: A. They had everything in common and shared with those in need
All the believers were together and had everything in common, selling their possessions and sharing with anyone in need.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.”
19. In John 14:26, what does Jesus call the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send?Medium
- The Prophet
- The Advocate
- The Shepherd
- The Witness
Show answer
Answer: B. The Advocate
Jesus said the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, would teach them all things and remind them of everything he had told them.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
20. In John 20:22, what did the risen Jesus do as he said, "Receive the Holy Spirit"?Hard
- He laid hands on them
- He poured oil on them
- He washed their feet
- He breathed on them
Show answer
Answer: D. He breathed on them
Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you," then breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
“Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Frequently asked questions
Where is Pentecost in the Bible?
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is described in Acts 2. The festival itself appears in the Old Testament as the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22, Leviticus 23:15–21, Deuteronomy 16:9–12), and Pentecost is also mentioned in Acts 20:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:8.
What does the word Pentecost mean?
Pentecost comes from the Greek word for fiftieth. The Feast of Weeks was held fifty days after the first sheaf was offered (Leviticus 23:15–16), and Christians celebrate Pentecost on the fiftieth day counting from Easter Sunday.
What happened on the day of Pentecost?
According to Acts 2, the believers were together when a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house, tongues like flames of fire rested on each of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages. Peter then preached, and about three thousand people were baptized (Acts 2:41).
Is Pentecost a Jewish holiday?
Yes. Before Acts 2, Pentecost was the Feast of Weeks, one of Israel's pilgrimage festivals, connected with the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22). Jews still celebrate it today as Shavuot.
Why did people think the disciples were drunk?
Some in the crowd mocked them, saying they were drunk on new wine (Acts 2:13). Peter answered that it was only the third hour of the day, about nine in the morning, and that this was what the prophet Joel had foretold (Acts 2:15–17).