3 John Bible Trivia: 18 Questions and Answers for Kids

These 18 3 John Bible trivia questions cover the shortest book in the entire Bible by word count -- with answers and verse references included after every question. They're sorted into easy (ages 5-8), medium (ages 9-12), and hard (teens and adults) rounds, so the whole family can play together.

3 John is a one-minute read with a full cast of characters: a generous host, a church bully who "loves to be first," and a man so trustworthy that "even the truth itself" vouches for him. It also hides one of the best trivia facts in Scripture -- a famous name that never appears in this book, and in no other New Testament book is it missing.

What Is the Book of 3 John About?

The book of 3 John is a personal thank-you-and-heads-up letter praising a Christian named Gaius for his hospitality to traveling teachers, and warning about a man named Diotrephes who was throwing his weight around in the church. In 14 short verses, John sketches three portraits: Gaius the generous host, Diotrephes the power-grabber, and Demetrius, "well spoken of by everyone" (3 John 12) -- likely the letter's carrier, arriving with his reference in hand.

Like 2 John, the letter comes from "the elder" (3 John 1), traditionally identified as the apostle John, writing late in the first century. Its big idea still preaches: when you feed, house, and fund people doing God's work, "we may work together for the truth" (3 John 8) -- hospitality isn't a side act; it's teamwork.

Why Is 3 John the Shortest Book in the Bible?

3 John is the shortest book in the Bible because it's a quick personal note -- and in the original Greek it contains fewer words than any other book, edging out its sibling 2 John (which has fewer verses, 13 to 3 John's 14). John even tells us why it's so short: "I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face" (3 John 13-14). The Bible's shortest book is short because its author preferred a visit to a letter.

That brevity hides this book's most famous trivia fact: 3 John is the only book in the New Testament that never uses the name "Jesus" or the title "Christ." Instead, John writes that the traveling teachers went out "for the sake of the Name" (3 John 7) -- and every reader knew exactly whose Name he meant. It makes a great pair with Esther, the Old Testament book that famously never mentions God, for a "what's missing?" round -- see our fun facts about the Bible for more like it.

Easy 3 John Trivia Questions (Ages 5-8)

1. Who is the letter written to? "My dear friend Gaius" (3 John 1)

1. What does the writer call himself instead of using his name? "The elder" (3 John 1)

1. What two things does John pray for Gaius at the start? Good health, and that all may go well with him (3 John 2)

1. What gives John "no greater joy"? Hearing that his children are walking in the truth (3 John 4)

1. How many chapters does 3 John have? One -- it's the shortest book in the Bible by word count (3 John 1-14)

1. Should we imitate what is evil or what is good? What is good -- "Anyone who does what is good is from God" (3 John 11)

Medium 3 John Trivia Questions (Ages 9-12)

1. What was Gaius praised for doing for traveling teachers -- even ones who were strangers? Showing them faithful hospitality and sending them on their way "in a manner worthy of God" (3 John 5-6)

1. Who is the troublemaker in the letter -- the man who "loves to be first"? Diotrephes (3 John 9)

1. Name one wrong thing Diotrephes was doing. Spreading malicious nonsense about John, refusing to welcome other believers, and putting people out of the church (3 John 10)

1. Who is "well spoken of by everyone -- and even by the truth itself"? Demetrius (3 John 12)

1. Why did the traveling teachers refuse to take help from unbelievers? They went out "for the sake of the Name" (3 John 7)

1. What two writing tools does John say he doesn't want to use? Pen and ink (3 John 13)

Hard 3 John Trivia Questions (Teens and Adults)

1. Which two famous names never appear in 3 John -- the only New Testament book without them? "Jesus" and "Christ" -- John simply says "the Name" (3 John 7)

1. According to verse 8, why should believers show hospitality to traveling teachers? "So that we may work together for the truth" (3 John 8)

1. How does John want the friends greeted at the very end? By name -- "Greet the friends there by name" (3 John 14)

1. 3 John is the shortest Bible book by word count -- which book has the fewest verses? 2 John, with 13 verses to 3 John's 14 (2 John; 3 John)

1. Who traditionally wrote 3 John? The apostle John -- the letter only says "the elder," but tradition identifies him as John

1. What short blessing does John give right before the final greetings? "Peace to you" (3 John 14)

How to Use These Questions

Read the whole book aloud first -- it takes about a minute -- then quiz right away and see who caught the three names: Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius. Kids remember the characters fastest as "the kind one, the bossy one, and the trusted one," and the Diotrephes question opens an easy conversation about what "loving to be first" looks like at school. These work beautifully as the mystery round in a family Bible trivia night, or paired with our New Testament trivia questions for a longer game.

For a fun "battle of the shortest books," play this set back-to-back with our Obadiah trivia -- the Old Testament's shortest book -- and let kids debate which one they'd memorize. Our guide to the books of the Bible for kids shows where these tiny letters sit, and if the quiz habit sticks, our video lessons at Faithful Kids pair every Bible story with its own quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the book of 3 John?

The author calls himself only "the elder" (3 John 1), and church tradition has identified him as the apostle John because the letter's style closely matches 1 John, 2 John, and the Gospel of John. Like the other two letters, it never actually contains the name John.

Is 3 John really the shortest book in the Bible?

Yes -- by word count in the original Greek, 3 John is the shortest book in the entire Bible. Its sibling 2 John has fewer verses (13 versus 14), so 2 John is shortest by verse count, but 3 John contains fewer total words. Either way, you can read both in under three minutes.

Who was Gaius in 3 John?

Gaius was a Christian John calls "my dear friend," praised for hosting and helping traveling teachers even when they were strangers to him (3 John 1, 5). Several men named Gaius appear elsewhere in the New Testament (Acts 19:29, Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14), and the Bible doesn't tell us whether this is the same person -- Gaius was a very common Roman name.

Who was Diotrephes and what did he do wrong?

Diotrephes was a man in the church who "loves to be first" (3 John 9). He rejected John's authority, spread malicious gossip, refused to welcome traveling believers, and expelled church members who did welcome them (3 John 10). He's the New Testament's clearest portrait of pride inside a church.

Does 3 John really never mention Jesus by name?

Correct -- 3 John never uses the name "Jesus" or the title "Christ," making it the only New Testament book without either. John instead refers to "the Name" (3 John 7), a reverent shorthand his readers would have instantly understood. Esther is its Old Testament twin: the one book that never mentions God directly.

What age can kids start learning 3 John?

Kids around 6 and up can follow 3 John easily, since it's a one-minute story with three memorable characters. The hospitality theme -- sharing what you have so good work can happen -- lands with early elementary kids, and the Diotrephes portrait gives preteens a concrete picture of pride to talk through.