Scholars address the apparent conflict between Mark's "third hour" (9 a.m.) and John's "sixth hour" (noon). Explanations include the use of different timekeeping systems (Jewish vs. Roman), the possibility of a copyist error in ancient manuscripts, or that Mark was timing the start of the crucifixion process while John noted the final act. Commentators like Albert Barnes see this variation as proof of independent, honest eyewitness accounts rather than a contradiction.