First, let’s find out what
the inconsistencies are. Using the New King James Version of the Bible and
putting text from each Gospel within a paragraph, I will break it into sections
to make it easier to compare. This first section is about the soldiers taking
Jesus to Caiaphas for questioning. (The omitted portions deal with Peter
denying Jesus before the cock crowed. I will address that topic at some future
time, but want to keep the text focused on the topic we are comparing.)
Matthew 26:55-68 says: In
that hour, Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a
robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you teaching in the
temple, and you did not seize Me. “But all this was done that the Scriptures of
the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
And those who had laid hold on Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest,
where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him at a
distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the
servants to see the end. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council
sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even
though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two
false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy
the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” And the high priest arose
and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against
You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I
put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of
God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you,
hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his
clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of
witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! “What do you think?” They
answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then they spat in His face and
beat Him: and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying “Prophesy
to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Mark 14:53-65 says: And
they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the
chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. But Peter followed Him at a
distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the
servants and warmed himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and all the
council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For
many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him saying, “We heard Him say,
“I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build
another made without hands.’” But not even then did their testimony agree. And
the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer
nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and
answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the
Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of
Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of
heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do
we have of witnesses? “You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And
they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Then some began to spit on
Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And
the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
Luke 22:52-55 says: Then
Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had
come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
“When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this
is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Having arrested Him, they led Him and
brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now
when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down
together, Peter sat among them. 22:63-71 goes on to say: Now the men who
held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him
on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?”
And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. As soon as it was
day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and
led Him into their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us,” But He
said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. “And if I also ask
you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. “Hereafter the Son of Man
will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Then they all said, “Are
You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” And
they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves
from His own mouth.”
John 18: 11-16 says: So
Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup
which My Father has given Me?”[This refers to when Peter cut off the
soldier’s ear.] Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the
officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to
Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that
year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one
man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did
another disciple. [The Apostle John who is writing this Gospel.] Now
that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the
courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the
other disciple, who was known to the high priest [John], went out and
spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 18:19-24 goes on to say:
The high priest [Caiaphas] then asked Jesus about His disciples and His
doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in
synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have
said nothing. “Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to
them. Indeed they know what I said.” And when He had said these things, one of
the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do
You answer the high priest like that?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken
evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” Then Annas
sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 18:28 further says: Then they
led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they
themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but
that they might eat the Passover.
[What are the
commonalities? ]
- The soldiers captured Jesus and took Him to
be questioned.
- Peter followed Him at a distance and
entered the high priest’s courtyard.
- Jesus was struck by at least one of the soldiers or officers.
[So, what are the major inconsistencies, thus far? ]
- Does it mean that Jesus wasn’t captured and
questioned, because the Gospel of John says that Jesus was first taken to
Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas? After reading the passage many
times, it sounds like John who had been admitted to the courtyard by the
high priest, was able to give us more specific details. As a busy high
priest, it sounds like Caiaphas had his father-in-law, Annas, help him
question Jesus while he periodically oversaw the questioning process as
noted by comments by Caiaphas interspersed within the passage.
- In that not all four Gospels specifically
say that all the disciples fled, mean that Jesus wasn’t captured by
soldiers and taken for questioning? In that each of the Gospels say that
Peter followed Jesus at a distance, conveys that the disciples weren’t
right there with Jesus as He was taken in for questioning.
- All four Gospels don’t mention John going
into the courtyard with Peter. Does that mean that Jesus wasn’t captured
by soldiers and taken for questioning? Actually, since the other disciples
fled, John became the eyewitness, because he was known by the high priest
and was able to enter the courtyard with Jesus. Additionally, he was able
to persuade them to allow Peter into the courtyard, as well.
- Since all four Gospels don’t have the same reason for Jesus’ being struck, does that mean that Jesus wasn’t struck during questioning? First and foremost, all four Gospels said Jesus was struck, so that’s accurate. Does it matter if three of the Gospels say it is because they wanted Jesus to prophesy who had struck Him with the palm of their hand? At first, I didn’t understand why they would ask this, but in watching a video by J. Warner Wallace, L.A. cold-case detective who wrote Cold-Case Christianity, I understood while reading how Mark and Luke both describe that the soldiers had first blindfolded Jesus, as they taunted Him, asking Him to Prophesy who had hit Him while His eyes were covered. In John, the officer struck Jesus when He suggested that they ask others who had heard what He had said openly in the synagogues and temple. None of these invalidates that Jesus was struck during questioning.
[This portion is focused on Jesus being questioned by Pontius Pilate.]
Matthew 27:1-2 says:
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted
against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him
away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. [In order to stay focused
on the topic, verses 3-10 are omitted, because they have to do with Judas
trying to return the money he was given to betray Jesus.] 27:11-31 says: Now
Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You
the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “ It is as you say.” And while
He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then
Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. Now at
the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one
prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner
called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to
them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called
Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he
was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying “Have nothing to
do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because
of Him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they
should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to
them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said,
“Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called
Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said,
“Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him
be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather
that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the
multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to
it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our
children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus,
he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus
into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they
stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of
thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed
the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they
spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had
mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him
away to be crucified.
Mark 15:1-20 says:
Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the
elders and scribes and the whole council: and they bound Jesus, led Him away,
and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the
Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief
priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked
Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against
you!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. Now at the
feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they
requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow
rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying
aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate
answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the
chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas
to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to
do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again,
“Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they
cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd,
released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus after he had scourged Him, to
be crucified. Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium,
and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed Him with purple
and they twisted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and began to salute
Him, “Hail King of the Jews!” Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and
spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshipped Him. And when they had mocked
Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out
to crucify Him.
Luke 23: 1-26 says: Then
the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to
accuse Him, Saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding
to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Then Pilate
asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said “It
is as you say.” so Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault
in this Man.” But they were the more fierce saying, “He stirs up the people,
teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” When
Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he
knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was
also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly
glad for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many
things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he
questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief
priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod with his men
of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed in a gorgeous robe,
and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with
each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. Then
Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the
people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the
people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault
in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; “no, neither did
Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has
been done by Him. “I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” (for it was
necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). And they all cried out
at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”- who had been
thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate,
therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they
shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Then he said to them the third
time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I
will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” But they were insistent, demanding
with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the
chief priests prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they
requested. And he released to them the one they requested who for rebellion and
murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will. Now
as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who
was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear
it after Jesus.
John 18:28-40 and 19:1-16
says: Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early
morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should
be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them
and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and
said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to
you.” Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your
law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to
death,” that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying
by what death He would die. Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called
Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him,
“Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell this concerning
Me?” Pilate answered, “”Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have
delivered You to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of
this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that
I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say
rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have
come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is
of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he
had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find no fault
in Him at all. “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at
the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas
was a robber. So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers
twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple
robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” Therefore, when the chief
priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify
Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault
in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He
ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” Therefore, when Pilate
heard that saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium,
and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Then
Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have
power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could
have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.
Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” From then on
Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this
Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks
against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out
and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but
in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about
the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” But they cried
out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I
crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So, they took Jesus and led Him
away.
[What are the commonalities?]
- The high priests, elders and others plotted
to try to have Jesus killed.
- Jesus didn’t answer some of the questions
by the high priests, but did answer when Pilate asked Him if He was the
King of the Jews?
- A royal robe was put on Jesus to taunt Him.
- A crown of thorns was put on Jesus mocking
Him.
- Jesus was chastised: hit, beat, whipped or
scourged
- Pilate asked whether they wanted Barabbas
or Jesus released?
- The citizens said to crucify Jesus, several
times.
[What are the
inconsistencies in this portion?]
- Does it mean it didn’t happen if only the
Gospel of Matthew states that Pilate’s wife asked Pilate to, “Have
nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in
a dream because of Him.”? Matthew may have been privy to more
information than the other Gospel writers. Some of the Gospel writers,
write with less detail and others with more. Regardless, this doesn’t
invalidate Jesus’ being questioned, mocked, and chosen to be crucified
over a criminal.
- Since the Gospel of Matthew was the only
one that said that Pilate washed his hands saying, “I am innocent of
the blood of this just Person. You see to it,” does that mean that
Pilate was in agreement with the crucifiction of Jesus? On the contrary!
Both the Gospels of Luke and John say that Pilate announced that he found
No Fault or reason for death in Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, it says that
Pilate knew that the priests had turned Jesus in for envy, so he asked
what evil had Jesus done? He was bombarded by overwhelming cries to
crucify Jesus. In Matthew, Pilate washed his hands of the innocent Jesus’
crucifiction.
- Is the trial and conviction of Jesus Christ invalid, because in Luke Herod helped Pilate, because Jesus was in Herod’s jurisdiction and the other three Gospels didn’t have it? Luke 1:1-4 says: Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, It seemed good to me also, having had a perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you and ordery account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Luke talked to eyewitnesses and recorded the information from them, so some of the Gospels written before the Gospel of Luke might not have had all the additional details offered by several of the eyewitnesses.
[Is the Questioning and
Sentence of Jesus and His Crucifixion invalid, because not every one of the
Gospels said He was given a reed, was spit upon, and they knelt down and mocked
Jesus? Most certainly not!]
[There are those who would try to convince all
Christians or those contemplating the Christian faith, by trying to get them to
focus on some inconsistencies, no matter how insignificant they are! They play
with the words and the way some Disciples describe things with detail and others
don’t. They try to confuse you by making a case saying that because there are
some inconsistencies in the Bible, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of the
Virgin Mary, who predicted His betrayal, death and resurrection, isn’t true.
That simply isn’t accurate!!! Don’t let people confuse you with insignificant
things, trying to undermine your faith!]
[Remember John 3:16: “For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.]
