Jeopardy! is TV’s most iconic quiz show, where the quickest and brightest trivia champs tackle clues that often stump home viewers.
However, in a recent episode, all three contestants were baffled by a seemingly easy clue about the Lord’s Prayer, surprising many Christian viewers.
During the June 13 episode, host Mayim Bialik presented a $200 clue (the lowest and typically the easiest on the board) in the category “Dadjectives.”
“Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father Which Art In Heaven’, This ‘Be Thy Name.’”
The answer, as anyone who learned the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday School knows, is “hallowed” (or rather “what is hallowed,” per Jeopardy! rules).
It’s not uncommon for Jeopardy! answers to stump contestants, even seemingly easy ones. However, the fact that none of the contestants knew one of Christianity’s most-recited prayers struck a nerve among some viewers.
“Not one contestant on Jeopardy last night knew the answer to this…Are you waking up yet?” one Twitter user wrote.
Not one contestant on Jeopardy last night knew the answer to this…..
Are you waking up yet? pic.twitter.com/bBIhVntHwd
— Mimi Joeckle (@cantcancelmimi) June 14, 2023
“The Lord’s Prayer growing up was like knowing The Pledge of Allegiance. You just did,” said another tweet.
“While it may not be a sign of the end times, it DEFINITELY speaks volumes about Americans and their faith…or lack of,” another user added.
Jeopardy and The Lord’s Prayer.
While it may not be a sign of the end times, if DEFINITELY speaks volumes about Americans and their faith…or lack of.— NC_Boy59 (@NCBoy59) June 14, 2023
While some saw it as a sign of declining faith in the US, others were simply surprised they missed such a common knowledge clue.
“I’m an atheist and even I knew the answer to that Lord’s Prayer question,” one Twitter user said.
“My 4-year-old niece got the answer on this question on Jeopardy! Just wondering, maybe the contestants never heard about the Lord’s Prayer?” another wrote.
“How can those Jeopardy! nerds not know this answer? Have they never listened to Iron Maiden?” joked another user, referencing the song “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”
How can those Jeopardy! nerds not know this answer. Have they never listened to Iron Maiden? pic.twitter.com/Z0sWeR8zBv
— Böb Jänke: Hönkÿ (@Bob_Janke) June 15, 2023
Although it shocked some viewers to see all the contestants miss a seemingly basic question, others were more understanding. Two of the contestants had negative scores and may have been playing it safe, not wanting to risk further losses.
https://t.co/TqIYw2JBlW pic.twitter.com/4VCgEfcBxu
— find tyler huckabee on bluesky (@TylerHuckabee) June 16, 2023
It’s also worth noting that Jeopardy! frequently features questions about Christianity and the Bible, with contestants often answering correctly on clues that would stump even devout churchgoers. Some even argue that the show has too many Christian-themed questions.
Furthermore, Jeopardy! welcomes contestants from diverse backgrounds and faiths, so it’s possible these three contestants did not have the same Christian upbringing many viewers had.
While the contestants were stumped on the Lord’s Prayer, they performed better with ’70s movies: the Final Jeopardy answer read, “He starred in the 2 films whose soundtracks were the top 2 bestselling albums of 1978.”
The correct response? John Travolta! (The soundtracks were Saturday Night Fever and Grease). Contestant Suresh Krishnan triumphed, extending his win streak to six games.
What do you think about these Jeopardy! contestants not knowing the Lord’s Prayer? Share your thoughts on this story!
