JAMB Christian Religious Studies 2023 past questions

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 15 October 2026

Ten questions from the 2023 JAMB Christian Religious Studies paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 80 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

JAMB Christian Religious Studies 2023 questions and answers

1. 1.

   Why did the Pharisees criticize Jesus during the triumphal entry?

   1. A
      Because Jesus overturned the money-changers' tables
   2. B
      Because the disciples shouted Hosanna and praised Jesus
      Correct
   3. C
      Because Jesus rode a donkey into the city
   4. D
      Because Jesus healed the blind on the Sabbath
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   Answer: B

   During the triumphal entry, the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke his disciples for shouting 'Hosanna to the Son of David' and praising him as king (Luke 19:39; Matthew 21:15-16). Jesus refused, saying that if his disciples kept silent, even the stones would cry out. The Pharisees objected because the acclamations implied messianic claims.

2. 2.

   Which prophet confronted King Ahab and challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel?

   1. A
      Elisha
   2. B
      Elijah
      Correct
   3. C
      Isaiah
   4. D
      Jeremiah
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   Answer: B

   Elijah the Tishbite confronted King Ahab regarding Israel's apostasy and challenged the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Elijah proved that the LORD is God when fire fell from heaven and consumed his offering, while Baal's prophets received no answer. Following this, the people fell on their faces declaring 'The LORD, He is God.'

3. 3.

   In which epistle does the apostle Peter remind believers that they are part of a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" while facing persecution?

   1. A
      Ephesians
   2. B
      Hebrews
   3. C
      1 Peter
      Correct
   4. D
      1 John
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   Answer: C

   1 Peter 2:9 reads: 'But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession.' Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers scattered across Asia Minor who were facing social hostility and persecution, reminding them of their identity and dignity in Christ.

4. 4.

   In the book of Acts, which event symbolizes the inclusion of the Gentiles into the new covenant?

   1. A
      The conversion of Cornelius and Peter's vision
      Correct
   2. B
      The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch
   3. C
      Paul's first missionary journey
   4. D
      The stoning of Stephen
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   Answer: A

   The conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and Peter's vision of the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10-11) symbolizes the inclusion of Gentiles into the new covenant. When the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and his household, Peter recognized that God had granted repentance leading to life to the Gentiles as well.

5. 5.

   Which biblical passage is known as the "Lord's Prayer" and contains a model of prayer and guidance?

   1. A
      Matthew 5:1-12
   2. B
      Luke 6:20-26
   3. C
      Matthew 6:9-13
      Correct
   4. D
      John 17:1-5
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   Answer: C

   The Lord's Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13, within the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gave this model prayer to his disciples as a guide for how they ought to pray, covering praise, petition, forgiveness, and deliverance. A shorter parallel version also appears in Luke 11:2-4.

6. 6.

   The message of repentance and forgiveness was a central theme in the prophecies directed to which city?

   1. A
      Jerusalem
   2. B
      Nineveh
      Correct
   3. C
      Samaria
   4. D
      Babylon
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   Answer: B

   Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was the city to which God sent Jonah with a message of repentance. The city heeded the warning and repented, and God relented from the threatened destruction. Nahum later also prophesied Nineveh's eventual doom after they returned to wickedness.

7. 7.

   What was the central theme of Ezekiel's prophecies during the exile?

   1. A
      The restoration of Israel and the glory of God
      Correct
   2. B
      Social justice and the plight of the poor
   3. C
      The destruction of the Assyrian empire
   4. D
      The coming judgment on Babylon
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   Answer: A

   Ezekiel's prophecies, delivered during the Babylonian exile, centred on the glory of God (the departure and eventual return of God's glory to the temple), God's role as the watchman over Israel, and the promised restoration of the nation. Key passages include the valley of dry bones vision (Ezekiel 37) symbolising national restoration, and the detailed vision of the new temple (Ezekiel 40-48).

8. 8.

   Which epistle addresses the issue of moral purity and living a sanctified life within the Christian community?

   1. A
      1 Thessalonians
      Correct
   2. B
      2 Timothy
   3. C
      Titus
   4. D
      1 Corinthians
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   Answer: A

   1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 explicitly states that it is God's will for believers to be sanctified and to avoid sexual immorality, calling them to live holy and blameless lives. Paul's strong emphasis on moral purity and sanctification makes this epistle the primary New Testament text on that theme for the Thessalonian church context.

9. 9.

   Which prophet warned the Israelites about the consequences of their disobedience?

   1. A
      Jeremiah
      Correct
   2. B
      Nahum
   3. C
      Joel
   4. D
      Ezekiel
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   Answer: A

   Jeremiah is the prophet most prominently known for warning the Israelites about the consequences of their disobedience, specifically prophesying the Babylonian exile and calling the people to repentance. Isaiah and Amos also warned Israel, but Jeremiah's ministry was uniquely focused on this theme of warning and impending judgment.

10. 10.

    What is the key to effective prayer according to the selected epistles?

    1. A
       Regular tithing
    2. B
       Speaking in tongues
    3. C
       Prolonged fasting
    4. D
       Righteous living and faith
       Correct
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    Answer: D

    James 5:16 declares: 'The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.' Elijah is cited as an example — a man of righteous faith whose prayer shut and then reopened the heavens. Effective prayer in the Epistle of James is consistently linked to moral integrity and genuine faith.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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