The Trials:

In order not to be tedious, I will give a brief account of the trials. The Gospels say that the soldiers led Jesus chained to Caiaphas the high priest, where he was interrogated. (Matthew 26/ 57, Mark 14/53, Luke 22/54-71, John 18/15-26)

Surveying the texts of the Gospels we find the following differences among them:

Mark

Matthew

Luke

John

Peter alone follows him afar off (14/54)

Same as Mark (26/58)

 Same as Mark and Matthew (2/54)

Peter + another Disciple (18/ 15)

Some people bare false witness (14/57)

two false witnesses against Christ (26/60)

Nothing

Nothing

Same as Matthew (14/58)

The accusation that Jesus said “I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” (26/61)

Nothing

Nothing

Same as Matthew

Jesus said nothing on hearing the accusation (26/62)

Nothing

Nothing

He was asked: “Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (14/61)

Christ was asked: “Art thou the Christ, the Son of God?” (26/63)

He was asked: “Art thou the Christ?” (22/67)

He was asked of his doctrine. (18/19)

The answer was: “I am he.” (14/62) He admitted he was Christ.

His answer was: “Thou hast said.” (26/64) He did not admit he was the Son of God

The answer was: If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. (22/68)  this is an obvious indication that the prisoner wanted to say that if he told them that he was not Christ they would not believe him.

The answer was: “in secret have I said nothing…” (18/20)

Same as Matthew

When the high priest asked those present their opinion of the detainee, they answered and said, He is guilty of death. (26/66)

Nothing

Nothing

Same as Matthew. (14/68-72)[1]

Peter, Chief Disciple, denied knowing Christ and his being one of his disciples three times. The detainee anticipated the denial (26/70-75)[2]

Same as Mark and Matthew. (22/57-61)[3]

He denied him once before interrogation and twice after it. (18/25-27)/[4]

The table above shows the differences in the first trial before the high priest, but by investigating the story in the four Gospels we find in every situation many differences in the second trial before Pilate. Following are some examples:

Matthew

Mark

 John

When Pilate asked Christ to defend himself against the accusations of the priests, he did not answer. (27/14)

Same as Matthew (5/15)

He answered lengthily. (18/36)


[1] Al-Khuli, Muhammad ‘Ali, Muqaranah baina al-Anajil al-Arba‘ah, pp. 71-74 (adapted)

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.