The Synoptic Problem

The document discusses the Synoptic Problem, which examines the similarities between the first three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, known as the Synoptic Gospels. Some scholars argue they used a common source document called "Q", however there is no historical evidence that "Q" ever existed. Alternative explanations for the similarities include that the Gospel authors had access to each other's works and eyewitness testimony, and that they were all inspired by the Holy Spirit to provide coherent and unified accounts of Jesus's life and ministry. The Synoptic Problem is ultimately not as significant as some claim, as the Gospels complement each other in documenting the same historical events through divine inspiration.

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Renelyn Quirido

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The Synoptic Problem

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Renelyn Quirido

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What is the Synoptic Problem?

When the first three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are

compared, it is unmistakable that the accounts are very similar to one
another in content and expression. As a result, Matthew, Mark, and
Luke are referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels.” The
word synoptic basically means “to see together with a common view.”
The similarities among the Synoptic Gospels have led some to
wonder if the Gospel authors had a common source, another written
account of Christ’s birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection from
which they obtained the material for their Gospels. The question of
how to explain the similarities and differences among the Synoptic
Gospels is called the Synoptic Problem.

Some argue that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are so similar that they
must have used each other’s Gospels or another common source. This
supposed “source” has been given the title “Q” from the German
word quelle, which means “source.” Is there any evidence for a “Q”
document? No, there is not. No portion or fragment of a “Q”
document has ever been discovered. None of the early church fathers
ever mentioned a Gospel “source” in their writings. “Q” is the
invention of liberal “scholars” who deny the inspiration of the Bible.
They believe the Bible to be nothing more than a work of literature,
subject to the same criticism given to other works of literature. Again,
there is no evidence whatsoever for a “Q” document—biblically,
theologically, or historically.

If Matthew, Mark, and Luke did not use a “Q” document, why are their
Gospels so similar? There are several possible explanations. It is
possible that, whichever Gospel was written first (possibly Mark,
although the church fathers reported that Matthew was written first),
the other Gospel writers had access to it. There is absolutely no
problem with the idea that Matthew and/or Luke copied some text
from Mark’s Gospel and used it in their Gospels. Perhaps Luke “had
access to Mark and Matthew and used texts from both of them in his
own Gospel. Luke 1:1–4 tells us, “Many have undertaken to draw up
an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as
they were handed down to us by those who from the first were
eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have
carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good
also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you
have been taught.”

Ultimately, the Synoptic “Problem” is not as big a problem as some

try to make it out to be. The explanation as to why the Synoptic
Gospels are so similar is that they are all inspired by the same Holy
Spirit and are all written by people who witnessed or were told about
the same events. The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the
apostle, one of the twelve who followed Jesus and were
commissioned by Him. The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark,
a close associate of the apostle Peter, another one of the twelve. The
Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a close associate of the apostle
Paul. Why would we not expect their accounts to be very similar to
one another? Each of the Gospels is ultimately inspired by the Holy
Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Therefore, we should
expect coherence and unity.

Wikipedia: