Who smote Jesus after his trial?

Mark: “The servants did strike him with the palms of their hands” (xiv, 65).

John: “One of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand” (xviii, 22).

The stories of these mockings, revilings, and brutal assaults cannot be accepted as historical. They are self-evidently false. Were they alleged to have been committed by an irresponsible Jewish or Roman mob they might be credited; but when they are declared to have been committed by, or while in the custody of the highest Jewish and Roman officials they must be rejected.