The Passion According to the Four Gospels — Answers (Week One)

  1. Jesus led first to Annas
    Only the Gospel of John explicitly states that Jesus was led first to Annas before Caiaphas.
    References: John 18:12–13; John 18:24
    Omissions: Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not mention Annas; they move directly to Caiaphas or the council proceedings.
  2. Pilate explicitly declares Jesus innocent three times.
    The repeated declarations occur most clearly in the Gospel of Luke.
    • Luke 23:4
    • Luke 23:14
    • Luke 23:22
    The other Gospels show Pilate’s hesitation or actions, but Luke most strongly emphasizes repeated verbal declarations of innocence.
  3. The dream of Pilate’s wife
    Only the Gospel of Matthew records the dream of Pilate’s wife.
    Reference: Matthew 27:19
    Omissions: Mark, Luke, and John do not mention Pilate’s wife or her dream.
  4. Jesus sent to Herod Antipas
    This episode appears only in the Gospel of Luke. None of the other Gospels record Jesus being sent to Herod during the Passion.
    Reference: Luke 23:6–12
  5. Barabbas described as an insurrectionist
    The clearest description of Barabbas as a revolutionary or insurrectionist appears in the Gospel of Mark, where he is associated with rebellion and murder.
    Primary reference: Mark 15:7
    Comparisons:
    • Matthew 27:16 — “notorious prisoner”
    • Luke 23:19 — insurrection and murder
    • John 18:40 — described broadly as a robber/bandit
    Mark emphasizes political violence most sharply.
  6. Simon of Cyrene named as father of Alexander and Rufus
    Only the Gospel of Mark names Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus.
    Reference: Mark 15:21
    Why this detail matters: The naming suggests Alexander and Rufus were likely known to the early Christian community, lending historical concreteness to the account.
  7. Jesus’ silence before His accusers
    Jesus’ silence is most emphatically portrayed in the Gospel of Mark. Mark highlights silence as part of the drama itself:
    • Mark 14:61 — Jesus remains silent before the high priest
    • Mark 15:5 — Pilate marvels that Jesus gives no answer
    Silence here is not an absence of speech, but a deliberate and theologically charged restraint.