Free Bachelor of Theology New Testament Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Hebrews is mentioned in one of the earliest New Testament copies (p. 46).

right before the Johannine epistles.
right before the book of Acts.
in between the Synoptic Gospels and John's Gospel.
in between Romans and 1 Corinthians. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: in between Romans and 1 Corinthians.

Papyrus 46 (P46), one of the earliest and most significant New Testament manuscripts dating to around 200 AD, contains a collection of Paul's letters. In this manuscript, the Letter to the Hebrews is placed in between Romans and 1 Corinthians. This ordering provides valuable insight into how early Christian communities collected and arranged the Pauline epistles.

Question 2: Hebrews 13:24's statement, "Those from Italy greet you," shows that Hebrews was dispatched.

to Palestine.
from Greece.
to Rome. (Correct answer)
from Rome.

Correct answer: to Rome.

The statement 'Those from Italy greet you' in Hebrews 13:24 indicates that the letter was dispatched from a location where there were people associated with Italy, and it implies that the recipients are not in Italy. Therefore, the most logical conclusion is that the letter was sent *to* Rome, or to a community in Italy, from a different location. Given the context of early Christian communities, Rome was a prominent destination for such letters.

Question 3: Your textbook states that the phrase "To the Hebrews" most likely refers to.

Palestinian Jews.
Diaspora Jews.
Jewish Christians. (Correct answer)
Jews not yet saved.

Correct answer: Jewish Christians.

The Epistle to the Hebrews is addressed to a specific group of believers who were deeply familiar with Jewish traditions, the Old Testament, and the Levitical sacrificial system. The author's primary concern is to prevent them from reverting to Judaism, emphasizing the superiority of Christ over Old Covenant institutions. Therefore, 'Hebrews' most likely refers to Jewish Christians who were contemplating abandoning their Christian faith due to persecution or a misunderstanding of Christ's finished work.

Question 4: Your textbook says that Hebrews should be dated.

after A.D. 85.
just after A.D. 70, when the Temple was destroyed.
around A.D. 64, after the persecution by Nero. (Correct answer)
around A.D. 49, during persecution by Claudius who expelled many Jews from Rome.

Correct answer: around A.D. 64, after the persecution by Nero.

The Epistle to the Hebrews is generally dated before the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, as it discusses the Temple rituals and sacrifices as if they were still ongoing. The mention of suffering and persecution (Hebrews 10:32-34; 12:4) aligns well with the Neronian persecution which began around A.D. 64. This timing suggests the audience was facing significant pressure, making the author's message of perseverance and Christ's superiority particularly relevant.

Question 5: Hebrews' main purpose was to demonstrate that.

Christians must follow the law.
Christianity is superior to Judaism. (Correct answer)
Judaism is superior to Christianity.
Christianity is the same as Judaism.

Correct answer: Christianity is superior to Judaism.

The central theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant he inaugurated over the Old Covenant and its institutions. The author systematically argues that Christ is superior to angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the sacrificial system. This demonstration aims to convince Jewish Christians not to revert to Judaism, as Christianity offers a 'better' covenant, hope, and sacrifice.

Question 6: Christ is superior to all of the following, says the author of Hebrews.

Moses.
the angels.
the Son of Man. (Correct answer)
the Jewish prophets.

Correct answer: the Son of Man.

The author of Hebrews argues for Christ's superiority over angels, Moses, and the Jewish prophets, as these are all figures or roles within the Old Covenant. However, 'the Son of Man' is a title for Jesus himself, emphasizing his humanity and messianic role, as seen in Daniel 7 and the Gospels. Therefore, Christ cannot be superior to himself; the question implies a comparison between Christ and other distinct entities or roles.

Question 7: Hebrews' discussion of reality and shadow is most like.

Plato. (Correct answer)
Pliny.
Paul.
Peter.

Correct answer: Plato.

The Epistle to the Hebrews frequently employs a philosophical distinction between 'shadow' (σκιά) and 'reality' (πραγμα or ἀλήθεια), particularly when discussing the Old Covenant rituals as a shadow of the New Covenant's reality in Christ. This concept of an earthly copy pointing to a heavenly, true original bears a strong resemblance to Plato's theory of Forms. While the author uses this concept for theological purposes, the philosophical framework is notably Platonic.

Question 8: The Greek style of Hebrews is different from the Greek style of Paul's letters since it.

very similar.
distinctly inferior.
different, but neither inferior nor superior.
much more literary (refined). (Correct answer)

Correct answer: much more literary (refined).

The Greek of Hebrews is widely recognized by scholars as being among the most sophisticated and elegant in the New Testament. It features a rich vocabulary, complex sentence structures, rhetorical flourishes, and a polished literary style that sets it apart from the more direct and sometimes less polished Greek found in Paul's epistles. This refined style suggests a highly educated author with a strong command of classical Greek rhetoric.

Question 9: Hebrews' Greek writing is comparable to that of.

Luke. (Correct answer)
Paul.
Peter.
Matthew

Correct answer: Luke.

Among the New Testament authors, Luke is also known for his highly polished and literary Greek style, particularly in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Both Luke and the author of Hebrews demonstrate a sophisticated command of the Greek language, employing a wide vocabulary, complex grammatical constructions, and rhetorical devices that elevate their writing above the more common Koine Greek found in many other New Testament books. This shared characteristic makes their Greek styles comparable.

Question 10: The primary goal of Hebrews was to.

warn readers against the Gnostic heretics.
correct the moral conduct of the readers.
instruct the readers in proper Christian witness.
prevent the readers from apostatizing back into Judaism. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: prevent the readers from apostatizing back into Judaism.

The Epistle to the Hebrews contains several stern warnings against 'drifting away' (Hebrews 2:1), 'falling away' (Hebrews 3:12), and 'shrinking back' (Hebrews 10:39) from faith in Christ. The author's extensive arguments for Christ's superiority over all aspects of the Old Covenant are designed to bolster the faith of Jewish Christians who were tempted to abandon Christianity and return to Judaism, likely due to persecution or a misunderstanding of the New Covenant's finality.

Question 11: Which chapter of Hebrews contains a list of the Old Testament figures of faith?

11 (Correct answer)
9
4
1

Correct answer: 11

Hebrews chapter 11 is famously known as the 'Hall of Faith' or 'Faith Chapter.' It provides a comprehensive list of Old Testament heroes and heroines, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Rahab, highlighting their acts of faith and endurance. The author uses these examples to encourage his readers to persevere in their own faith, reminding them of the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before them.

Question 12: Your textbook claims that the absence of the Temple from Hebrews is due to...

it was written to a Gentile audience.
it overshadowed the beauty of the original temple.
it was no longer in existence.
None of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: None of the above

The Epistle to the Hebrews extensively discusses the Levitical sacrificial system, the priesthood, and the tabernacle, but notably not the Jerusalem Temple itself. This is often interpreted as the author focusing on the *system* of worship rather than the specific building, or perhaps because the Temple was still standing but the author's argument transcended its physical location. The absence is not typically attributed to a Gentile audience, overshadowing, or its non-existence, but rather to the theological focus on the *pattern* of worship and sacrifice.

Question 13: What does Melchizedek mean?

tithe.
peace.
priest of God.
king of righteousness. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: king of righteousness.

The name Melchizedek is derived from two Hebrew words: 'melek' (מֶלֶךְ), meaning 'king,' and 'tzedek' (צֶדֶק), meaning 'righteousness.' Thus, Melchizedek literally translates to 'king of righteousness.' The author of Hebrews draws heavily on this figure, who was both a king and a priest, to demonstrate the unique and superior priesthood of Jesus Christ, who is also a 'king of righteousness' and 'king of peace.'

Question 14: What kind of rhetoric does the author of Hebrews primarily employ?

Asiatic
forensic
deliberative
exhortative (Correct answer)

Correct answer: exhortative

While Hebrews contains significant theological exposition, its overarching purpose is practical and persuasive, aiming to encourage its readers to persevere in their faith and not apostatize. This is characteristic of exhortative (or deliberative) rhetoric, which seeks to persuade an audience to take or avoid a particular course of action. The numerous warnings, encouragements, and calls to endurance throughout the letter highlight its primary exhortative nature.

Question 15: Greek athletes generally wore... when they participated in the Olympics and practiced in the gym.

nada, zip, zilch, zero (they ran in the buff) (Correct answer)
a distinctive Roman toga.
the ancient equivalent of modern underwear.
Nike shorts (nike is a Greek word meaning "victory").

Correct answer: nada, zip, zilch, zero (they ran in the buff)

Ancient Greek athletes, particularly in the early Olympic Games and during training in the gymnasia, famously competed naked. This practice was associated with ideals of physical perfection, purity, and a celebration of the human form. The term 'gymnasium' itself comes from the Greek word 'gymnos' (γυμνός), meaning 'naked.'

Question 16: The messiah, according to Mark, must

Take control of Israel
Suffer and die (Correct answer)
Preach and baptize
Become the high priest

Correct answer: Suffer and die

Mark's Gospel strongly emphasizes the 'suffering servant' aspect of the Messiah, presenting Jesus' path to glory as necessarily involving suffering, rejection, and death. Jesus repeatedly predicts his passion (e.g., Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34), and the disciples' struggle to understand this concept highlights its central importance in Mark's portrayal of the Messiah. This contrasts with popular Jewish expectations of a conquering political Messiah.

Free Bachelor of Theology New Testament Questions and Answers

Hebrews is mentioned in one of the earliest New Testament copies (p. 46).

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