Jennifer Clutten

The Synoptic Problem 

 The synoptic problem is that of considering which of the 3 synoptic gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke was written first and perhaps which gospel was written aided via the other and/or which writer used the questionable Q source.

It is believed that there is a literary connection between the gospels as there is an obvious verbal agreement that suggests some kind of interdependence between them all.  It is believed that these similarities have arisen because

  1. All the gospel writers were inspired by the power of the holy spirit
  2. They are all an account of the Jesus.  Therefore as they are all about the same person there will be similarities between their writings if they are historically accurate.
  3. They all share a common oral tradition

Looking at the content of the gospels in turn it is obvious that there are links between the gospels.  If you have faith then it is quite easy to believe that these accounts are supposed to be the word or god and through him they would write similar accounts.  And this would provide as evidence for their links.  However, if you do not believe in god the second point can be an accurate answer to the gospels interdependence.  As reporting on the same events people are always going to have ties.  Just as different people are touched by different thing, this is an example of the similarities and differences. For example, if one of the gospel writers was touched by one particular work of Jesus they are more likely to record it in more detail.  Just as others might not have felt any connection with it and skipped it absolutely.  Also, as it is believed that the gospels were not recorded during the eye-witness period of Jesus’ life it is likely that they are all from the same source and therefore tell a similar story due to linking original accounts.

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 The literary connection can be seen in the Baptism story.  Mark has 5 verses, Matthew 15 and Luke 17. And also the Peter Disowns Jesus Mark has 7 verses, Matthew 7 and Luke 9.  The fact that these stories are in each gospel suggests some kind of clear connection between them all.

Streeter believed that the order of the gospels was Mark first then Matthew then lastly Luke.  He also believed that all the gospels shared a common source which he called Q.  This Markan priority theory overtook the Matheau priority in the 19th century.  It was suggested that Mark portrayed ...

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