- The Gospel evidence is inconsistent. After his arrest, was Jesus brought before a council (the Synoptics) or just questioned by the high priest (John)? Is this session at night (Mark/Matthew, John) or at daybreak (Luke)? Is Jesus asked about a divine identity (Synoptics) or questioned about his disciples and teachings (John)? Is there a death sentence agreed upon at this time (Mark/Matthew), not at all (Luke), or earlier (John)?
- A formal 鈥渢rial鈥� before an entire council on the first night of Passover (in the Synoptic chronology) is implausible, though this does not preclude a prior council session to deliberate the case of Jesus, as described in John 11: 45-53. Whether or not there was a formal council meeting at some earlier time, any questioning after Jesus鈥� arrest was most likely restricted to the high priest(s) and immediate associates.
- The Johannine scenario that Jesus was brought before the high priest and questioned about his disciples and teachings makes more sense in a pre-resurrection context than the Synoptic inquiry about divinity, a post-resurrectional dispute. What actions the disciples might take if Jesus were executed would be a concern of the authorities. It would need to be determined if they needed to be dealt with as well. Someone (correctly) decided that they were not a violent threat.
- If the charge of 鈥渂lasphemy鈥� was leveled against Jesus before his death, it would not have been understood in the sense of the subsequent post-resurrectional debates between Church members and other Jews over whether Jesus was being exalted into a second deity, therefore violating Jewish understandings of the Oneness of God. Rather, 鈥渂lasphemy鈥� in the context of Jesus鈥� historical activity would denote an arrogant presumption of authority to speak and act as God鈥檚 plenipotentiary, including criticizing the Temple leadership and risking the destruction of the Holy Place.
- Since it so widespread in the New Testament books, and since the incident is quite embarrassing for the early Church, it seems likely that Peter did indeed deny any association with Jesus.
