Bible - The Synoptic Problem

The similarities between the Synoptic Gospels have caused the 'Synoptic Problem'. The solution lies in the numerous theories and hypothesis

Matthew, Mark and Luke are commonly called the Synoptic Gospels. The Synoptic Gospels are very similar to each other. In fact, their similarities have led to one of the most debated subjects amongst New Testament Bible scholars - 'The Synoptic Problem' (i.e. who copied who?)

Mark

Matthew

Luke

John

60-80 AD

70-100 AD

93 AD

125 AD

Winged Lion

Winged Man

Winged Ox

Eagle

Synoptic Problem

Synoptic

Not Synoptic

Mark's Gospel is almost universally accepted as the first gospel to be written
Mark is the shortest and simplest of the three Synoptic gospels
Large portions of Mark are found in Matthew and Luke
Matthew and Luke share over 200 verses not found in Mark
Shared content includes stories, wording, and chronology of events
Triple tradition - Text found in all three Synoptic Gospels
Double tradition, or "Q" Source - Text found in both Matthew and Luke
M tradition - Text found exclusively in Matthew
L tradition - Text found exclusively in Luke

| Wikipedia: Synoptic_Gospels,999

Blueletterbible.org/The Synoptic Problem and Q

John's content, chronology and wording is distinctly different to the Synoptics.

Hebrew Gospel Hypothesis

Enlarge Image

Hebrew Gospel Hypothesis involves a lost gospel in Hebrew, Aramaic or even Greek as the primary source behind the Synoptic gospels.

| Wikipedia: Hebrew_Gospel_hypothesis

Bible.org/synoptic-problem

Ehrmanblog.org

* Stein, Synoptic Problem, p.48
** Evidence suggests Matthew and Luke did not copy from each other

Other Hypothesis'

1. Augustinian Hypothesis Both Irenaeus and Origen, predecessors of Augustine, also held to the same order of composition. Later advocates of this theory include Hugo Grotius, HG Jameson, Basil Christopher Butler and John Wenham. \| Wikipedia: Augustinian_hypothesis
2. Two-Gospel Hypothesis (Griesbach) This theory is supported by Henry Owen, JJ Griesbach, William R Farmer, and TRW Longstaff et al. \| Wikipedia: Two-gospel_hypothesis
3. Two-Source Hypothesis This theory is supported by the majority of New Testament scholars today. \| Wikipedia: Two-source_hypothesis
4. Three-Source Hypothesis This theory is supported by Heinrich Julius Holtzmann, Eduard Simons, Hans Hinrich Wendt, Edward Y Hincks, Robert Morgenthaler and Robert H. Gundry. \| Wikipedia: Three-source_hypothesis
5. Four-Document Hypothesis This is a variation of the Two-Source Hypothesis and so is highly favored among Bible scholars today. \| Wikipedia: Four-document_hypothesis
6. Farrer Hypothesis (Mark without Q) This theory is supported by JH Ropes, AM Farrer, MD Goulder and Mark Goodacre \| Wikipedia: Farrer_hypothesis
7. Hebrew Gospel Hypothesis (or Proto-Gospel) This theory is based on the proposition that a lost gospel in Hebrew or Aramaic lies behind the Synoptic gospels. (outlined above) \| Wikipedia: Hebrew_Gospel_hypothesis

CREDIT
http://www.humanreligions.info/gospels.html
http://www.bowness.demon.co.uk/gosp1.htm
http://megasociety.org/noesis/138/synoptic.html
https://www.tms.edu/m/tmsj13b.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Gospel_hypothesis

113-bible-synoptic-problem

Author: Guest • Updated: 05 Sep 2026 • 21,995 views | 50 mins ago

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Bible - The Synoptic Problem

The similarities between the Synoptic Gospels have caused the 'Synoptic Problem'. The solution lies in the numerous theories and hypothesis

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