Test Your Knowledge of Peter, John, James, and All 12 Disciples - 50 Questions from Scripture
Jesus chose 12 ordinary men to be His closest followers and to carry His message to the world. They weren't religious scholars or political leaders—they were fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots. Yet these unlikely disciples became the foundation of Christianity, spreading the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, most of them sealed in their testimony with their own blood.
This comprehensive 50-question quiz tests your knowledge of all 12 disciples across three difficulty levels. Easy questions (1-15) cover basic facts every Christian should know: Who were the first disciples called? Which disciple walked on water? Who betrayed Jesus? Medium questions (16-35) dig deeper into their personalities, relationships, and specific moments in the Gospels. Hard questions (36-50) challenge even well-studied Christians with details about their ministries after Pentecost, the books they wrote, and how they died for their faith.
Whether you're preparing a Sunday School lesson about the disciples, studying for a Bible quiz competition, or simply want to deepen your knowledge of these foundational figures, this quiz will help you understand not just their names, but their hearts, their callings, and their incredible transformation from fearful followers to fearless apostles who turned the world upside down.
They show us that God uses ordinary people. Peter was impulsive and denied Jesus three times. Thomas doubted the resurrection. James and John had hot tempers (Jesus called them "Sons of Thunder"). Matthew had been a despised tax collector. Simon the Zealot had likely been a political revolutionary. These weren't perfect men—they were flawed humans just like us. Yet Jesus chose them, trained them, empowered them, and used them mightily. If God could use them, He can use anyone willing to follow Him.
Their transformation proves the power of the Holy Spirit. Before Pentecost, these men hid in fear after Jesus's crucifixion. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. They doubted the resurrection reports from the women. But after the Holy Spirit fell on them at Pentecost, everything changed. Peter boldly preached to thousands. They faced beatings, imprisonment, and execution without flinching. The same Spirit that transformed cowards into martyrs lives in every believer today. Their story is our story—we too can be transformed by God's power.
They demonstrate different ways of following Jesus. Peter was bold and outspoken. John was contemplative and loving. Matthew was detail-oriented and wrote genealogies. Thomas asked hard questions. Philip brought others to Jesus. Each disciple had unique gifts and personalities, and Jesus used them all. You don't have to be like Peter to be a faithful disciple. God made you with specific gifts, and He'll use your unique personality to accomplish His purposes, just as He used each of the Twelve differently.
Their martyrdoms show the cost of discipleship. According to church tradition, nearly all the apostles died violently for their faith. Peter was crucified upside down. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. James (son of Zebedee) was beheaded. Thomas was speared to death in India. Only John lived to old age, but even he was exiled to Patmos. These men had nothing to gain by lying about Jesus's resurrection—they gave up everything, including their lives. Their willingness to die proves they truly believed Jesus rose from the dead. They weren't spreading a myth; they were eyewitnesses who chose death over denial.
They become our examples of faithfulness. When you face persecution for your faith, remember Peter who was beaten and rejoiced. When you doubt, remember Thomas who saw and believed. When you struggle with your past, remember Matthew the former tax collector whom Jesus called. When you're tempted to quit, remember the disciples who left everything to follow Jesus and never looked back. These aren't mythological heroes—they're real people who walked with Jesus, failed repeatedly, were forgiven completely, and ultimately gave their lives for the gospel. Their stories inspire us to keep following Jesus no matter the cost.
If you want to master this quiz and truly know the disciples, here's how to study effectively:
Learn them in groups, not all at once. Start with the "inner three": Peter, James, and John—they were closest to Jesus and appear most often. Then learn the first four called: Peter, Andrew, James, John (two sets of brothers, all fishermen). Next learn the pairs: Philip and Nathanael (Bartholomew) who brought each other to Jesus. Then Matthew (tax collector), Thomas (the doubter), and the two other Jameses (James son of Alphaeus, and Judas/Thaddaeus). Finally Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Grouping them makes memorization easier.
Associate each disciple with a key characteristic or event. Peter = walked on water, denied Jesus, preached at Pentecost. John = the beloved disciple, leaned on Jesus at Last Supper, wrote five books. Thomas = doubted the resurrection, said "My Lord and my God." Matthew = tax collector who held a feast for Jesus. Philip = asked Jesus to show them the Father. When you link each name to a memorable story, they stick in your mind.
Read the calling accounts in the Gospels. Matthew 4:18-22 and John 1:35-51 describe how Jesus called the first disciples. Mark 3:13-19, Matthew 10:1-4, and Luke 6:12-16 list all twelve. Acts 1:13 lists the eleven after Judas's death. Reading these passages multiple times helps you remember not just the names but the order and relationships between them.
Know the alternate names. Simon is also called Peter (the Rock) and Cephas. Nathanael is also called Bartholomew. Matthew is also called Levi. Thaddaeus is also called Judas son of James or Lebbaeus. Thomas is also called Didymus (meaning "twin"). Simon the Zealot is also called Simon the Canaanite. Understanding these alternate names prevents confusion when reading different Gospel accounts.
Use a mnemonic device for all 12 names. One popular mnemonic is: "This is my simple prayer, Peter And John Made Bread, Please Just Teach My Bible Joyfully" (Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, Bartholomew, Philip, James, Thomas, Matthew, [Judas] Bartholomew, Judas). Create your own memory trick using the first letters of their names. Silly mnemonics work because they're memorable. Find one that works for you, or make up your own.
What's the difference between disciples and apostles? "Disciple" means learner or follower—Jesus had many disciples, including the 70 He sent out in Luke 10. "Apostle" means sent one—it specifically refers to the 12 chosen by Jesus and given authority. After Pentecost, the 12 are usually called apostles, emphasizing their role as sent messengers of the gospel.
Were there exactly 12 apostles or 13? Jesus chose 12. After Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and died, the remaining 11 cast lots and chose Matthias to replace him (Acts 1:26), restoring the number to 12. Later, Paul called himself an apostle (though not one of the original 12), having been called by the risen Christ on the Damascus road. So technically: 12 original, minus Judas, plus Matthias = 12, with Paul as an additional apostle.
Which disciples were related to each other? Peter and Andrew were brothers. James and John (sons of Zebedee) were brothers. Some scholars believe James son of Alphaeus might have been related to Matthew (also called Levi son of Alphaeus), making them possibly brothers or cousins, though this isn't certain.
Did all the disciples write books of the Bible? No. Only five of the Twelve wrote books: Matthew (Gospel of Matthew), John (Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation), Peter (1-2 Peter), James (the book of James—likely James the brother of Jesus, not one of the Twelve), and Jude (likely Jesus's brother, not Judas/Thaddaeus). The other disciples spread the gospel orally, and their teachings were recorded by others like Mark (who wrote Peter's testimony) and Luke (who interviewed eyewitnesses).
How many of the 12 were martyred? Church tradition states that 11 of the 12 original apostles died as martyrs. James son of Zebedee was beheaded by Herod (Acts 12:2). Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. Thomas was speared in India. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Only John lived to old age and died naturally, though he was exiled to Patmos. These traditions come from early church historians, though not all details are in Scripture.
Why did Jesus choose 12 disciples? The number 12 is significant because Israel had 12 tribes descended from Jacob's 12 sons. By choosing 12 apostles, Jesus symbolized that He was forming a new covenant people—the church—which would become the "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16). Just as the 12 tribes formed the old covenant nation, the 12 apostles became the foundation of the new covenant church.
Is this quiz suitable for children? Yes! The Easy questions (1-15) are perfect for children ages 10+ who are learning the disciples' names and basic stories. The Medium and Hard questions work better for teenagers and adults. Many Sunday School classes use this quiz as a fun competition or assessment tool.
How can this quiz help my Bible study? The disciples' stories are woven throughout the Gospels and Acts. When you know each disciple's personality, background, and calling, you understand their questions and reactions better. You'll catch details you missed before, like why Peter always speaks first, why John focuses on love, why Matthew includes so many fulfilled prophecies, or why Thomas asked to see Jesus's wounds. The disciples aren't just names—they're real people whose stories enrich your understanding of Jesus's ministry and the early church.