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

Scourging before or after the final sentence
The Gospel of John places the scourging before the formal sentence of crucifixion, as part of Pilate’s attempt to satisfy the crowd without executing Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke place the scourging after the decision to crucify, as preparation for execution.

“Behold the man”
Only the Gospel of John records Pilate presenting Jesus to the crowd with the words “Behold the man.”

The purple cloak
The placing of a purple cloak on Jesus is recorded explicitly in John; Mark also mentions a purple garment. Matthew describes a scarlet robe. Luke does not focus on the robe in the soldiers’ mockery scene. The color variations reflect descriptive emphasis rather than contradiction.

The crowd choosing Barabbas by name
Matthew, Mark, and Luke explicitly present the crowd choosing Barabbas instead of Jesus by name. John records the outcome, but with less emphasis on the formal choice process.

Pilate washing his hands
Only the Gospel of Matthew records Pilate washing his hands before the crowd. Mark, Luke, and John omit this act, shifting emphasis toward judicial failure, political pressure, or shared responsibility rather than ritual gesture.

Emphasis on mockery and ridicule
Mark most strongly emphasizes sustained mockery by the soldiers, detailing repeated actions—clothing, crowning, saluting, striking. Matthew parallels much of this, but Mark’s account is the most compressed and relentless in tone.

Acceptance of responsibility for Jesus’ death
Matthew alone records the crowd explicitly declaring responsibility: “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” The other Gospels portray shared culpability through action and insistence, but do not include this explicit verbal assumption of responsibility.