Bible quiz
Christmas Bible Trivia
This Christmas Bible trivia quiz has 15 questions on the birth of Jesus as Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 tell it, from easy to harder. It asks what the text actually says, not what later tradition added, and every answer shows the verse it comes from (BSB), so you can check each detail yourself.
- Mixed levels
- 15 questions
- About 4 min
- Answers checked against the BSB
One of our free Bible trivia questions and answers sets. No sign-up needed.
Play the quiz
Hi, I’m Pip. 15 questions, about 4 minutes. Every answer comes with its verse.
No sign-up. Prefer to read? See all questions and answers.
1 of 15 · Easy
What does this Christmas Bible quiz cover?
Only two books of the Bible tell the story of the birth of Jesus, and they tell different parts of it. Luke 1-2 follows Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, the manger, the shepherds and the visit to the temple. Matthew 1-2 follows Joseph's dreams, the Magi, King Herod and the flight to Egypt.
The 15 questions move through both accounts, starting with the details most people know and ending with names that many readers miss, such as the people who met the baby Jesus in the temple. If you want the whole story in order first, read the birth of Jesus or the overview of Christmas in the Bible.
What does the Bible say, and what comes from later tradition?
Much of the familiar Christmas scene comes from carols, plays and art rather than from Matthew and Luke. Matthew names three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11), but never says how many Magi came, never calls them kings and never gives their names. The numbers and names grew up in later Christian tradition.
Luke says Mary laid Jesus in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7), but the text does not mention a stable, a cave, an innkeeper or animals around the manger. Matthew says the Magi found the Child in a house (Matthew 2:11), and Herod's order about boys two years old and under suggests their visit may have come some time after the birth. None of this makes the traditions wrong to enjoy; this quiz simply asks what the text itself says, so you can tell the two apart.
How can you use this quiz at Christmas or during Advent?
The quiz works well as a family game on Christmas Eve, an icebreaker at a church Christmas party, or a closing activity for an Advent study. Play it once before reading Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 aloud, then again after; most groups are surprised by how many answers change. For a group without phones, use the printable Bible quiz packs, and for more rounds try the other 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 2, which gifts did the Magi present to the Child?Easy
- Gold, frankincense and myrrh
- Silver, frankincense and oil
- Gold, myrrh and fine linen
- Silver, spices and fine oil
Show answer
Answer: A. Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Matthew names three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, but does not say how many Magi brought them.
“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
2. According to Luke 2, where did Mary lay her newborn Son?Easy
- In a cradle
- In a manger
- In a basket
- In a cave
Show answer
Answer: B. In a manger
Mary wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
3. In Luke 2, who were keeping watch over their flocks when an angel brought the news?Easy
- Magi
- Priests
- Shepherds
- Soldiers
Show answer
Answer: C. Shepherds
Shepherds living in the fields nearby were watching their flocks by night when an angel of the Lord appeared to them.
“And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!”
4. According to Matthew 2, what went ahead of the Magi and stopped over the place where the Child was?Easy
- An angel
- A cloud
- A bright light
- A star
Show answer
Answer: D. A star
The star the Magi had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was.
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was.”
5. According to Luke 1, who did God send to tell Mary she would have a son?Easy
- The angel Gabriel
- The angel Michael
- The prophet Simeon
- The priest Zechariah
Show answer
Answer: A. The angel Gabriel
God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin named Mary, who was pledged in marriage to Joseph.
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.”
6. According to Luke 1, in which town did Mary live when the angel visited her?Medium
- Bethlehem
- Nazareth
- Jerusalem
- Capernaum
Show answer
Answer: B. Nazareth
The angel was sent to Nazareth, a town in Galilee; Bethlehem is where Jesus was later born.
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.”
7. According to Luke 2, why did Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem?Medium
- To escape from King Herod
- To celebrate a feast
- To register in a census
- To visit Elizabeth
Show answer
Answer: C. To register in a census
A decree ordered a census, and Joseph went to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register with Mary.
“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.”
8. According to Luke 2, which emperor issued the decree for the census?Medium
- Tiberius
- Claudius
- Nero
- Augustus
Show answer
Answer: D. Augustus
The decree went out from Caesar Augustus; Tiberius is named later, in Luke 3, when John begins preaching.
“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.”
9. According to Matthew 2, which king ruled in Judea when Jesus was born?Medium
- Herod
- Archelaus
- Agrippa
- Antipas
Show answer
Answer: A. Herod
Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod; Archelaus reigned in Judea after Herod died.
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,”
10. According to Matthew 2:11, where did the Magi find the Child with his mother Mary?Medium
- In a stable
- In a house
- In a cave
- In the temple
Show answer
Answer: B. In a house
Matthew says the Magi came to a house and saw the Child with Mary; the stable comes from later tradition.
“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
11. In Matthew 1, which name is explained as meaning God with us?Medium
- Jesus
- Nazarene
- Immanuel
- Christ
Show answer
Answer: C. Immanuel
Matthew quotes the prophet and explains that the name Immanuel means God with us.
““Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).”
12. According to Matthew 2, where did Joseph take the Child and his mother to escape Herod?Medium
- Babylon
- Syria
- Moab
- Egypt
Show answer
Answer: D. Egypt
An angel warned Joseph in a dream, and he left by night for Egypt and stayed there until Herod died.
“When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.””
13. According to Luke 1, what name was given to the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth?Medium
- John
- Zechariah
- Samuel
- James
Show answer
Answer: A. John
Relatives wanted to name him Zechariah after his father, but Zechariah wrote that his name is John.
“On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.”
14. In Luke 2, which righteous man took the baby Jesus in his arms in the temple and blessed God?Hard
- Zechariah
- Simeon
- Nicodemus
- Gamaliel
Show answer
Answer: B. Simeon
Simeon, led by the Spirit into the temple courts, took Jesus in his arms and blessed God.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:”
15. In Luke 2, what was the name of the elderly prophetess who spoke about the Child in the temple?Hard
- Elizabeth
- Hannah
- Anna
- Miriam
Show answer
Answer: C. Anna
Anna, the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child.
“There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bible say there were three wise men?
No. Matthew mentions Magi from the east and names three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, but does not say how many Magi there were (Matthew 2:1, 2:11). The number three is a later tradition, probably based on the three gifts.
Was Jesus born in a stable?
Luke says Mary laid Jesus in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). The text does not mention a stable or a cave; those details come from later tradition and art.
Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?
The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Mark and John do not describe the birth, and the two accounts that do focus on different events.
Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?
According to Luke, Caesar Augustus ordered a census, and Joseph went to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register with Mary because he was from the house and line of David (Luke 2:1-5).
Who visited Jesus first, the shepherds or the Magi?
Luke describes shepherds coming to the manger on the night of the birth (Luke 2:15-16). Matthew describes the Magi finding the Child in a house, and the text does not say exactly how much later that visit was (Matthew 2:11).