Easter Bible trivia: 50 questions from Palm Sunday to the empty tomb

Here are 50 Easter Bible trivia questions with answers, arranged in the order of Holy Week: Palm Sunday, the days of teaching in the temple, the Last Supper and Gethsemane, the trials and crucifixion on Friday, the sealed tomb on Saturday, and the resurrection appearances. Every answer is checked against the King James Version and comes with its verse, so you can settle any argument at the table.

The timeline is the point. Played in order, the quiz walks your table through Jesus' last week, and by question 50 you'll have the sequence straight: entry, temple, supper, garden, trials, cross, tomb, garden again. Easter 2027 falls on Sunday, March 28, with Palm Sunday on March 21.

The answers sit right under each question. Cover them as you go, or have one person read.

How to use this Easter quiz

For a group or family: play one round per day of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, or play all seven rounds after Easter lunch. One point per answer, one bonus point for naming the Gospel.

For a church or small group: use rounds 4 and 5 (Thursday and Friday) on Good Friday, and round 7 on Easter Sunday.

A note on the timeline: the Gospels don't date every event to a specific day, and Christians have long harmonized them in slightly different ways. For example, John places the anointing at Bethany "six days before the passover" (John 12:1), while Mark tells it two days before (Mark 14:1-3). We follow the most common order and point out where the Gospels differ.

If you want questions like these at your level, with every answer explained by its verse, the app's quiz path has thousands of them.

Round 1: Palm Sunday

1. What animal did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? Answer: A colt, the foal of an ass (Mark 11:7; Matthew 21:5). John 12:14 calls it "a young ass".

2. Which prophet foretold the king "lowly, and riding upon an ass"? Answer: Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9), quoted in Matthew 21:4-5.

3. What did the crowds spread on the road? Answer: Their garments, and branches cut from the trees (Matthew 21:8). John says they took "branches of palm trees" (John 12:13), which is why we call it Palm Sunday.

4. What did the crowds cry out? Answer: "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest" (Matthew 21:9).

5. What did Jesus do when he came near and saw Jerusalem? Answer: "He beheld the city, and wept over it" (Luke 19:41).

Read the full scene in the triumphal entry.

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Round 2: Monday to Wednesday

6. Which tree did Jesus curse on the way into Jerusalem? Answer: A fig tree that had "nothing but leaves" (Mark 11:13-14). The next morning it was "dried up from the roots" (Mark 11:20). See the withered fig tree.

7. Whose tables did Jesus overturn in the temple? Answer: The moneychangers', along with the seats of those who sold doves (Mark 11:15).

8. Quoting Scripture, what did Jesus say the temple should be called, and what had it become? Answer: "The house of prayer" for all nations, but they had made it "a den of thieves" (Mark 11:17).

9. Whose image was on the coin Jesus asked to see? Answer: Caesar's ("Cesar's" in the KJV). Jesus said, "Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:16-17).

10. What did the poor widow put into the temple treasury? Answer: "Two mites, which make a farthing" (Mark 12:42). Jesus said she gave more than all the others. Read the widow's offering.

11. How much did the chief priests agree to pay Judas? Answer: Thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).

12. In the house of Simon the leper in Bethany, what did a woman pour on Jesus? Answer: Very precious ointment of spikenard from an alabaster box (Mark 14:3). John names her as Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12:3). See Mary of Bethany's perfume.

Round 3: Thursday, the Last Supper and Gethsemane

13. Whom were the disciples told to follow to find the room for the Passover? Answer: "A man bearing a pitcher of water" (Mark 14:13).

14. Which Gospel tells how Jesus washed the disciples' feet? Answer: John (John 13:5).

15. What "new commandment" did Jesus give that night? Answer: "That ye love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13:34).

16. What did Jesus say as he gave the bread? Answer: "This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). Read the Last Supper.

17. What was the name of the place where Jesus prayed after supper? Answer: Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36).

18. Which three disciples did Jesus take farther into the garden? Answer: Peter, James and John (Mark 14:33).

19. Which Gospel says his sweat was "as it were great drops of blood"? Answer: Luke (Luke 22:44).

20. What sign did Judas use to show the soldiers which man was Jesus? Answer: A kiss (Mark 14:44-45).

21. What was the name of the high priest's servant whose ear Peter cut off? Answer: Malchus (John 18:10). It was his right ear.

22. What did Jesus do for the wounded servant? Answer: "He touched his ear, and healed him" (Luke 22:51).

23. Who fled from the garden leaving his linen cloth behind? Answer: "A certain young man", unnamed (Mark 14:51-52). Many have guessed it was Mark himself, but the text doesn't say.

See the whole night in Gethsemane and the arrest.

Round 4: Friday, the trials

24. In John's Gospel, to whom was Jesus taken first after his arrest? Answer: Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas (John 18:13).

25. Who was the high priest that year? Answer: Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57; John 18:13).

26. How many times did Peter deny Jesus, and how many times did the cock crow in Mark? Answer: Three denials; the cock crowed twice (Mark 14:72). See Peter's denial.

27. To which ruler did Pilate send Jesus when he learned he was from Galilee? Answer: Herod, who "was at Jerusalem at that time" (Luke 23:7).

28. Who warned Pilate because of a dream? Answer: His wife: "Have thou nothing to do with that just man" (Matthew 27:19).

29. Which prisoner did Pilate release instead of Jesus? Answer: Barabbas (Mark 15:15).

30. What did Pilate do with water before the crowd? Answer: He washed his hands, saying "I am innocent of the blood of this just person" (Matthew 27:24). Read more on the Pontius Pilate page, or see Jesus before Pilate.

Round 5: Friday, the cross

31. Who was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus? Answer: Simon, a Cyrenian, "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mark 15:21).

32. What does the name Golgotha mean? Answer: "The place of a skull" (Mark 15:22).

33. In what three languages was the title on the cross written? Answer: Hebrew, Greek and Latin (John 19:20).

34. According to John, what exactly did the title say? Answer: "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS" (John 19:19).

35. What were Jesus' first words from the cross in Luke? Answer: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

36. What did Jesus promise the thief who asked to be remembered? Answer: "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). See today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

37. From which hour to which hour was there darkness over the land? Answer: From the sixth hour to the ninth hour (Mark 15:33), roughly noon to 3 p.m.

38. Which Psalm did Jesus quote when he cried "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" Answer: Psalm 22:1, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34).

39. What happened to the veil of the temple? Answer: It "was rent in twain from the top to the bottom" (Mark 15:38).

40. What were Jesus' last words before he died, according to John? Answer: "It is finished" (John 19:30). In Luke, his last words are "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).

41. What did the centurion say when he saw how Jesus died? Answer: "Truly this man was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39).

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Read the full account in the crucifixion.

Round 6: Friday evening and Saturday, the tomb

42. Which member of the council asked Pilate for Jesus' body? Answer: Joseph of Arimathea, "an honourable counsellor" (Mark 15:43). Read Joseph of Arimathea and the burial.

43. Who brought about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes for the burial? Answer: Nicodemus, "which at the first came to Jesus by night" (John 19:39).

44. Where was the tomb? Answer: In a garden near the place of crucifixion, "a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid" (John 19:41).

45. What did the chief priests do to secure the tomb on the day after the crucifixion? Answer: They sealed the stone and set a watch (Matthew 27:62-66).

Round 7: Sunday, the resurrection and after

46. Which three women came with spices in Mark 16:1? Answer: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Mark 16:1).

47. Who rolled back the stone, according to Matthew? Answer: "The angel of the Lord", who came down from heaven during a great earthquake and sat on the stone (Matthew 28:2).

48. Who did Mary Magdalene think Jesus was when she first saw him? Answer: The gardener (John 20:15). She recognized him when he said her name, "Mary" (John 20:16). See Mary Magdalene in the garden.

49. What was the name of the village two disciples were walking to when Jesus joined them? Answer: Emmaus, "about threescore furlongs" from Jerusalem (Luke 24:13). One of them was Cleopas (Luke 24:18), and they recognized Jesus when he broke bread (Luke 24:30-31). Read the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

50. Bonus: how many times does the word "Easter" appear in the KJV, and what does it translate? Answer: Once, in Acts 12:4, where Herod intends to bring Peter out "after Easter". The Greek word is pascha, the Passover, which is how other translations render it.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Bonus round: after the resurrection

If your group wants more, here are five extra questions about the forty days after Easter.

1. Which disciple said he wouldn't believe unless he saw "the print of the nails"? Answer: Thomas (John 20:25). Eight days later Jesus invited him to touch his hands and side, and Thomas answered "My Lord and my God" (John 20:26-28). See Thomas: my Lord and my God.
2. What story were the soldiers paid to tell? Answer: "His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept" (Matthew 28:13).
3. According to Paul, how many people saw the risen Jesus at one time? Answer: "Above five hundred brethren at once" (1 Corinthians 15:6).
4. For how many days did Jesus appear to the apostles before the Ascension? Answer: Forty days (Acts 1:3). Read the ascension.
5. What did Jesus ask Peter three times by the Sea of Tiberias? Answer: "Lovest thou me?" (John 21:15-17). See Lovest thou me: Peter restored.

Easter trivia answer key

Want three more questions on Mark's account right now? Here's a quick one from the app's question bank.

Quick quiz: Mark

Where do the four men lower the paralytic down to Jesus?

Through a windowThrough the roofThrough the doorThrough the courtyard

What name does the unclean spirit in the country of the Gadarenes give?

LegionBeelzebulAbaddonMammon

How much does the poor widow put into the temple treasury?

One gold coinFive denariiTwo small coinsThirty pieces of silver

Continue the quiz

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start free, no card needed.

Read the week before you quiz it

Trivia sticks best when you've just read the story. If you'd like to read through the week day by day in 2027, our Holy Week Bible reading plan runs from Palm Sunday, March 21 to Easter, March 28, with all four Gospels side by side. For the six weeks before, the Lent Bible reading plan reads the whole Gospel of Mark from Ash Wednesday, February 10.

For more questions on the life of Jesus, try our Bible trivia questions about Jesus, the 12 apostles quiz, or the Jesus Christ character quiz.

And if you want to remember Holy Week long after Easter, the app has the Passion stories explained with a short quiz after each one.

Frequently asked questions

When is Easter 2027?

Easter 2027 is on Sunday, March 28, 2027, in Western churches. Palm Sunday is March 21, Maundy Thursday is March 25 and Good Friday is March 26. Orthodox churches, which calculate Easter with the Julian calendar, celebrate Easter on May 2, 2027.

Where is the Easter story in the Bible?

The resurrection is told in all four Gospels: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20–21. The events of Holy Week leading up to it start with the entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12. Paul gives the earliest summary list of resurrection appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

What are some easy Easter Bible trivia questions?

Easy questions include: What did the crowds wave on Palm Sunday? (Palm branches, John 12:13). How many pieces of silver did Judas receive? (Thirty, Matthew 26:15). Which prisoner was released instead of Jesus? (Barabbas, Mark 15:15). Who thought Jesus was the gardener? (Mary Magdalene, John 20:15). On what day did Jesus rise? (The first day of the week, Mark 16:2).

What are some hard Easter Bible trivia questions?

Harder questions include: What was the name of the servant whose ear was cut off? (Malchus, John 18:10). Who were Simon of Cyrene's sons? (Alexander and Rufus, Mark 15:21). How far was Emmaus from Jerusalem? (About threescore furlongs, Luke 24:13). To whom was Jesus taken first after his arrest? (Annas, John 18:13).

Is the word Easter in the Bible?

In the King James Version, "Easter" appears once, in Acts 12:4, where Herod plans to bring Peter out to the people "after Easter". The Greek word there is pascha, which means Passover, and most modern translations render it "Passover". The resurrection itself is never called Easter in the Bible.

What did Jesus say on the cross?

The Gospels record seven sayings: "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34), "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43), "Woman, behold thy son" (John 19:26), "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34), "I thirst" (John 19:28), "It is finished" (John 19:30), and "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).