There’s something magical about gathering around the Christmas tree with hot chocolate in hand, ready to stump your family with biblical brain-teasers they never saw coming.
I’ll admit, I once boldly declared that three wise men visited baby Jesus on Christmas night—only to be kindly corrected by my grandma with her well-worn Bible and a knowing smile.
Christmas Scripture trivia isn’t just about showing your biblical knowledge; it’s about rediscovering the timeless story that started it all.
Whether you’re hosting a church gathering, spicing up your family game night, or just brushing up on your nativity tale, these trivia questions will have you flicking through Luke and Matthew faster than Santa slides down a chimney.
Let’s dive into the sacred books and separate the Scripture academics from the candy cane casuals!
Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers
- Q: In which city was Jesus born? A: Bethlehem
- Q: What does the name “Jesus” mean? A: “The Lord saves” or “Savior”
- Q: Which Roman emperor ordered the census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem? A: Caesar Augustus
- Q: What was the name of the angel who appeared to Mary? A: Gabriel
- Q: In which Gospel do we find the story of the wise men? A: Matthew
- Q: How many gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth? A: Two (Matthew and Luke)
- Q: What sign did the angels give the shepherds to identify Jesus? A: A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger
- Q: Who was the mother of John the Baptist? A: Elizabeth
- Q: What relation was Elizabeth to Mary? A: They were cousins
- Q: In what type of building was Jesus born? A: A stable (implied by the manger)
- Q: Which prophet foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son? A: Isaiah
- Q: What was Joseph’s occupation? A: Carpenter
- Q: Where did Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee to escape King Herod? A: Egypt
- Q: Which Gospel contains the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise? A: Luke
- Q: What does “Immanuel” mean? A: “God with us”
- Q: How did Joseph learn about Mary’s pregnancy? A: An angel appeared to him in a dream
- Q: What was the name of the priest who was Zechariah’s son? A: John the Baptist
- Q: Which prophet said, “But you, Bethlehem…out of you will come a ruler”? A: Micah
- Q: What happened to Zechariah when he doubted the angel’s message? A: He was struck mute until John’s birth
- Q: In which book of the Bible is the prophecy “For unto us a child is born”? A: Isaiah
Free Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers
- Q: What gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus? A: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
- Q: How many wise men does the Bible specifically say visited Jesus? A: The Bible doesn’t specify a number
- Q: What star guided the wise men? A: The Star of Bethlehem
- Q: Who announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds? A: An angel of the Lord
- Q: What were the shepherds doing when the angels appeared? A: Keeping watch over their flocks by night
- Q: What did the heavenly host say after the angel’s announcement? A: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”
- Q: How did King Herod react to news of Jesus’ birth? A: He was disturbed and sought to kill Jesus
- Q: What title did the angel give to Jesus when speaking to the shepherds? A: Savior, Christ the Lord
- Q: In which book would you find “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”? A: John
- Q: What age was Jesus when the wise men visited him? A: Likely 1-2 years old (they visited a “house,” not the manger)
- Q: Who was king of Judea when Jesus was born? A: Herod the Great
- Q: What did Joseph plan to do when he discovered Mary was pregnant? A: Divorce her quietly
- Q: Where was Jesus presented as a baby, according to Jewish law? A: The temple in Jerusalem
- Q: Who recognized Jesus as the Messiah when he was presented at the temple? A: Simeon and Anna
- Q: What did Simeon call Jesus? A: “A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel”
- Q: How long did Mary and Joseph stay in Egypt? A: Until Herod’s death
- Q: What tragedy did Herod order after the wise men didn’t return? A: The massacre of baby boys in Bethlehem (two years and under)
- Q: Which prophet’s words were fulfilled by the massacre in Bethlehem? A: Jeremiah
- Q: What town did Mary and Joseph settle in after returning from Egypt? A: Nazareth
- Q: How did the wise men know not to return to Herod? A: They were warned in a dream
Easy Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers
- Q: What was placed in the manger? A: Baby Jesus
- Q: Who was Jesus’ earthly father? A: Joseph
- Q: Who was Jesus’ mother? A: Mary
- Q: What is the first book of the New Testament? A: Matthew
- Q: In which Testament is the Christmas story found? A: The New Testament
- Q: What is another name for the wise men? A: Magi or Three Kings
- Q: What animals are traditionally shown in nativity scenes? A: Cattle, donkeys, sheep (though the Bible doesn’t specify)
- Q: Where did the angel appear to Mary? A: Nazareth
- Q: What does “Christ” mean? A: “Anointed One” or “Messiah”
- Q: Was Jesus born in a palace? A: No, in a stable/manger
- Q: Which direction did the wise men travel from? A: The East
- Q: What guided the wise men to Jesus? A: A star
- Q: Who told Mary she would have a baby? A: The angel Gabriel
- Q: Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? A: For a census
- Q: Were there animals in the stable where Jesus was born? A: The Bible doesn’t specify, but it’s implied
- Q: Who were the first visitors to see baby Jesus? A: The shepherds
- Q: What were the shepherds tending? A: Sheep
- Q: When did the wise men visit Jesus? A: Some time after his birth (not the same night)
- Q: Was Jesus born in a hotel? A: No, there was no room at the inn
- Q: What season do we celebrate Jesus’ birth? A: Winter (December 25th traditionally)
Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers for Adults
- Q: What specific verse in Isaiah prophesies a virgin birth? A: Isaiah 7:14
- Q: How does Matthew trace Jesus’ genealogy? A: From Abraham through David to Jesus
- Q: How does Luke trace Jesus’ genealogy differently? A: Backward from Jesus to Adam
- Q: What was the theological significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem? A: Fulfilled prophecy that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage and city
- Q: What does the gold gift symbolize? A: Jesus’ kingship
- Q: What does frankincense symbolize? A: Jesus’ divinity/priesthood
- Q: What does myrrh symbolize? A: Jesus’ death and burial
- Q: Why was it significant that shepherds were the first witnesses? A: They were considered lowly, showing Jesus came for all people
- Q: What is the theological meaning of “Immanuel”? A: God dwelling among humanity
- Q: Which Old Testament book contains the most Messianic prophecies about Jesus’ birth? A: Isaiah
- Q: What was unusual about Mary’s conception according to Christian theology? A: She conceived by the Holy Spirit while remaining a virgin
- Q: Why does Matthew emphasize Jesus as the “Son of David”? A: To establish Jesus’ rightful claim to the Messianic throne
- Q: What Roman governor was ruling Syria during Jesus’ birth? A: Quirinius
- Q: What does Luke’s Gospel emphasize about the universality of Jesus’ mission? A: The genealogy going back to Adam, and the angels proclaiming peace to all
- Q: How many years of prophecy preceded Christ’s birth? A: Hundreds of years (dating back to Genesis 3:15)
- Q: What was the cultural scandal of Mary’s pregnancy? A: Being pregnant before marriage could result in stoning
- Q: Why did the wise men bring such expensive gifts? A: They recognized Jesus as a king worthy of royal tribute
- Q: What does the term “manger” literally mean? A: A feeding trough for animals
- Q: How does John’s Gospel introduce Jesus’ birth? A: Theologically, as the Word becoming flesh (John 1:14)
- Q: What Jewish purification ritual did Mary complete after Jesus’ birth? A: The presentation at the temple (40 days after birth)
- Q: Why is Jesus called the “Lamb of God”? A: Foreshadowing his sacrifice for humanity’s sins
- Q: What does Anna’s presence at the temple represent? A: The faithful remnant of Israel awaiting redemption
- Q: How old was Anna when she saw baby Jesus? A: 84 years old
- Q: What profession was Anna? A: A prophetess
- Q: Why did Herod consult the chief priests and scribes? A: To find out where the Messiah was to be born
Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers for Hard
- Q: What specific verse describes the flight to Egypt fulfilling prophecy? A: Matthew 2:15, quoting Hosea 11:1
- Q: How many dreams did Joseph have related to Jesus’ birth and infancy? A: Four dreams (Matthew 1:20, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22)
- Q: What was the exact wording of Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in Greek? A: “Chaire kecharitomene” (Hail, favored one)
- Q: Which census was this specifically? A: The first census while Quirinius was governor (Luke 2:2)
- Q: What Old Testament passage does Matthew quote about Rachel weeping? A: Jeremiah 31:15
- Q: How many generations does Matthew list from Abraham to Christ? A: 42 generations (divided into three groups of 14)
- Q: What was the purpose of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh historically? A: Likely funded the family’s flight to Egypt
- Q: What was Zechariah doing when the angel appeared to him? A: Burning incense in the temple
- Q: What side of the altar was the angel standing on when he appeared to Zechariah? A: The right side (Luke 1:11)
- Q: How long did Elizabeth hide herself after conceiving? A: Five months (Luke 1:24)
- Q: What was Mary’s exact response to Gabriel? A: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled”
- Q: How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth? A: About three months (Luke 1:56)
- Q: What was the exact prophecy Simeon made about Mary? A: “A sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35)
- Q: What tribe was Anna from? A: Asher
- Q: How many years had Anna been a widow? A: She was a widow for 84 years or was 84 years old as a widow
- Q: What specific route did the holy family likely take to Egypt? A: The Bible doesn’t specify, but historically the coastal route was common
- Q: What was the historical accuracy debate about Quirinius’ census? A: Historical records show a census around 6-7 AD, creating chronological debates
- Q: Which king ruled in Judea after Herod the Great’s death? A: Archelaus (Matthew 2:22)
- Q: What made Joseph afraid to return to Judea? A: Archelaus was reigning in place of his father Herod
- Q: What prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus being called a Nazarene? A: “He will be called a Nazarene” (though no specific OT verse states this exactly)
- Q: How many women are named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus? A: Five (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary)
- Q: What was significant about including these women? A: Several were Gentiles or had scandalous backgrounds, showing God’s inclusive grace
- Q: What was John the Baptist’s message in relation to Jesus? A: “Prepare the way of the Lord”
- Q: What did John eat in the wilderness? A: Locusts and wild honey (though this is from his ministry, not birth narrative)
- Q: What was the age difference between Jesus and John the Baptist? A: About six months (John was older)
Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers Printable
- Q: Name all four Gospels. A: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
- Q: Which two Gospels do NOT contain the nativity story? A: Mark and John
- Q: What was wrapped around baby Jesus? A: Swaddling clothes
- Q: Complete this verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave…” A: “…his one and only Son”
- Q: What did the angels sing? A: “Glory to God in the highest heaven”
- Q: Where do we find “Away in a manger” in the Bible? A: Nowhere—it’s not a Bible verse
- Q: How many times is Christmas mentioned in the Bible? A: Zero (the word “Christmas” doesn’t appear)
- Q: What does Bethlehem mean? A: “House of Bread”
- Q: Who was Caesar Augustus? A: Roman Emperor
- Q: What does “Christ” literally translate to? A: Anointed One
- Q: Which direction is Bethlehem from Nazareth? A: South
- Q: How far is Bethlehem from Jerusalem? A: About 6 miles
- Q: What does “Nazareth” mean? A: “Branch” or “shoot”
- Q: Who was older, Jesus or John the Baptist? A: John the Baptist
- Q: What relation were Jesus and John the Baptist? A: Second cousins
- Q: How did the wise men travel? A: The Bible doesn’t specify (tradition says camels)
- Q: Were the wise men at the manger? A: No, they visited a house later
- Q: What instrument is mentioned in traditional Christmas carols but not the Bible’s nativity? A: Drums (Little Drummer Boy)
- Q: How many angels spoke to the shepherds? A: One angel announced, then a multitude appeared
- Q: What was in the manger before Jesus? A: Likely animal feed
- Q: Print and share: What makes Jesus’ birth unique? A: Virgin birth, fulfilled prophecy, God becoming human
- Q: Who named Jesus? A: Joseph (instructed by the angel)
- Q: Who named John the Baptist? A: Zechariah (written on a tablet)
- Q: What was Mary’s song called? A: The Magnificat
- Q: What was Zechariah’s song called? A: The Benedictus
Best Christmas Scripture Trivia Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the shortest verse about Jesus’ birth? A: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (Luke 2:7, partial)
- Q: What is the most quoted Christmas verse? A: Luke 2:10-11 (the angel’s announcement to shepherds)
- Q: Which Christmas verse appears on the most greeting cards? A: “For unto us a child is born” (Isaiah 9:6)
- Q: What was the first prophecy about Jesus in the Bible? A: Genesis 3:15 (the “seed of woman” crushing the serpent)
- Q: How many prophecies did Jesus’ birth fulfill? A: Over 300 Messianic prophecies in total (several directly about his birth)
- Q: What makes Luke’s account unique? A: It includes Mary’s perspective and the shepherds’ visit
- Q: What makes Matthew’s account unique? A: It includes Joseph’s perspective and the wise men’s visit
- Q: Which Gospel is considered most historically detailed? A: Luke (written by a physician)
- Q: What does “Messiah” mean? A: “Anointed One” (same as Christ in Greek)
- Q: Why was Jesus laid in a manger? A: There was no room in the inn/guest room
- Q: What’s the significance of Jesus being firstborn? A: Rights of inheritance and consecration to God
- Q: How many chapters in the Bible tell the Christmas story? A: Primarily two (Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2)
- Q: What was Joseph’s initial reaction to Mary’s pregnancy? A: He planned to divorce her quietly
- Q: What changed Joseph’s mind? A: An angel appeared in his dream
- Q: Why did God choose Mary? A: She found favor with God and was willing (“Let it be”)
- Q: What was Mary’s age? A: The Bible doesn’t say (traditionally thought to be 12-16)
- Q: What was the political climate during Jesus’ birth? A: Roman occupation of Israel
- Q: Why was the timing of Jesus’ birth significant? A: “The fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4)—Roman peace, common language, road systems
- Q: What’s the greatest gift mentioned in the Christmas story? A: Jesus himself—”For God so loved the world”
- Q: How does the Christmas story point to Easter? A: The myrrh gift foreshadowed Jesus’ death and burial
- Q: What’s the connection between Genesis and Jesus’ birth? A: Jesus is the “second Adam” bringing redemption
- Q: Why is Jesus called the “Prince of Peace”? A: Isaiah 9:6—he brings reconciliation between God and humanity
- Q: What does Jesus’ birth teach about God’s character? A: God’s humility (coming as a baby), accessibility, and love for humanity
- Q: Why celebrate Jesus’ birth? A: It marks God entering human history for our salvation
- Q: What’s the ultimate meaning of Christmas according to Scripture? A: “Immanuel”—God with us, reconciling the world to himself
Conclusion
Whether you aced every question or uncovered a few gaps in your nativity knowledge, the real value is uncovering the fascinating narrative behind the season.
These Christmas Scripture trivia questions aren’t just party games—they’re invitations to look deeper into the astounding marvel of God stepping into human history as a defenseless baby in a humble stable.
Share these questions at your Christmas celebrations, print them for Sunday school courses, or push yourself to memorize one new Scripture verse about Jesus’ birth each week of Advent.
After all, knowing the real tale makes those Christmas carols hit different, doesn’t it? Now go forth and disseminate biblical wisdom like the wise men spread the news—just maybe without the two-year detour!