There are people who play a “Shell Game” with Christians or those trying to find out more about the Christian faith. They use Faulty Logic to divert their focus from Biblical Proof and eyewitness accounts that Christ is the Son of God and make a faulty point to confuse them. They might say things such as:

The Bible says Jesus Christ Is the Son of God, but the Bible has inconsistencies, which they call lies.

This is a False Analogy, because the inconsistencies in the Bible are generally related to wording and writing style which doesn't invalidate the truthfulness of the Bible or that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!. On top of that, these people try to make Christians feel foolish for ever believing the Bible or that Jesus Christ Is the Son of God. Don’t fall prey to their Shell Game!"

Do Gospel Inconsistencies Related to Questioning Jesus, Matter?

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.]

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