The Age Of Reason

by Thomas Paine

Not any two of these writers agree in reciting, exactly in the same words, the written inscription, short as it is, which they tell us was put over Christ when he was crucified; and besides this, Mark says, He was crucified at the third hour, (nine in the morning;) and John says it was the sixth hour, (twelve at noon.)[42] The inscription is thus stated in those books: Matthew — This is Jesus the king of the Jews. Mark — The king of the Jews. Luke — This is the king of the Jews. John — Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews. We may infer from these circumstances, trivial as they are, that those writers, whoever they were, and in whatever time they lived, were not present at the scene.