One of the most popular and intellectually stimulating game shows on television, ‘Jeopardy!’ continues to captivate audiences with its challenging questions and smart contestants. However, in a recent episode, the show sparked astonishment and debate when all three contestants found themselves caught off guard by a seemingly straightforward question about the Lord’s Prayer.
The $200 clue — the smallest and often easiest amount on the board — was read by host Mayim Bialik in the “Dadjectives” category on June 13.
“Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father who art in heaven, this be thy name!’
The answer is “sanctified” (or, more accurately, “what is sanctified,” according to the Jeopardy rules!), which anyone who has attended Sunday school and learned the Lord’s Prayer should know.
even seemingly easy answers to threats! sometimes confused participants, but among the faithful, the fact that no one understood one of the most famous Christian prayers seems to have struck a nerve.
“Last night on Jeopardy, not one player recognized the answer. Are you awake yet?” asked a person on Twitter.
When I was growing up, learning the Lord’s Prayer was similar to learning the Pledge of Allegiance. You just did,” reads one tweet.
“While this may not be a sign of the end times if it DEFINITELY says something about Americans and their faith…or lack thereof,” another person said.
While some viewers read it as a sign of declining confidence in the US, others were just shocked that such a clear signal had gone unnoticed.
One Twitter user said: “I’m an atheist and I even knew the answer to this gentleman’s prayer question.”
“My 4-year-old niece got this Jeopardy question right! I was just wondering if the contestants had never heard of the Lord’s Prayer. Someone else wrote it.”
“You Jeopardy! How can they? Nerds don’t know the answer. Don’t they know who Iron Maiden is?” Another user made fun of the Iron Maiden song “Hallowed Be Thy Name”.
The seemingly straightforward question stumped every contestant and surprised some viewers who found others to be more level-headed. Two of the contestants may have decided to play it safe rather than risk falling further behind due to their low scores.
It is also important to note that Jeopardy! often asks questions about Christianity and the Bible, and players often get the right answers to questions that could be challenging for even the most devoted churchgoer. In fact, some have complained that the show asks too many questions about Christianity because it’s such a common topic.
Plus, Jeopardy! welcomes competitors of diverse origins and religious beliefs; it is highly likely that these three participants were not raised in a predominantly Christian household like many of the viewers.
“Starred in 2 movies whose soundtracks were the 2 best-selling albums of 1978,” was Final Jeopardy’s answer. They fared a bit better with the ’70s movies, even if the opponents didn’t understand the Lord’s Prayer.
Correct reaction? John Travolta (Saturday Night Fever and Grease soundtracks). With this win, rival player Suresh Krishnan’s winning run now stands at six games.
How do you feel about these Jeopardy questions? Don’t the contestants know the Lord’s Prayer? Tell us what you think about this story!
In the realm of game shows, ‘Jeopardy!’ reigns supreme, featuring bright contestants who tackle challenging questions that often elude the average viewer.
In a recent episode that caused surprise among Christian followers, all three participants were met with a seemingly straightforward clue about the Lord’s Prayer. Host Mayim Bialik introduced the $200 clue in the “Adjectives” category on June 13, quoting Matthew 6:9 and asking for the missing phrase: “Our Father, which art in heaven, this ‘be thy name!’
The expected response, “sanctified” or “what is sacred” according to the show’s rules, typically familiar to those familiar with the Lord’s Prayer, surprisingly caught all the contestants off guard. The unexpected turn sparked reactions across social media, with some questioning the contestants’ awareness.
While opinions differed, several viewers expressed surprise, saying that teaching the Lord’s Prayer is as common as reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during parenting. The unexpected turn fueled speculation about faith in America, with some seeing it as a sign of declining religious familiarity among the population.
Amidst the surprise, some observers found humor in the situation, making jokes about the contestants’ knowledge, making various cultural references, and even comparing the contestants’ answers to a Final Jeopardy question about 1970s movies, where they fared comparatively better.
It’s worth noting that ‘Jeopardy!’ often delves into questions on a variety of topics, including Christianity and the Bible, which can be challenging for contestants from different backgrounds and beliefs. While some questioned the contestants’ familiarity with the Lord’s Prayer, others pointed to the diversity of the show’s participants and the variety of knowledge it encompasses.
Ultimately, despite an unexpected stumble upon a familiar religious reference, ‘Jeopardy!’ continues to provide a platform for diverse knowledge, stimulating conversations and insights among viewers from all walks of life. How did you feel about this Jeopardy moment? Share your thoughts on this interesting story!
I have never heard the word sanctified said in that prayer. I have sung this song many many times and have quoted the scripture many times. Have read the scripture probably even more times and although it’s not something we say in services it’s usually, “…hallowed be thy name.“
HALLOWED. not sanctity