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This post attempts to answer a question raised in a post a couple of days ago (You will want to read that post before reading this one). What is one to make of these amazing similarities in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke)? How can the parallels be explained? How can one resolve “the synoptic problem?”

There are actually a number of answers to these questions. The dominant view is known as the two-source hypothesis which claims that Matthew and Luke both used Mark as a source, as well as an unknown source called Q (from the German Quelle meaning “source”). Another view is known as the two-gospel hypothesis which holds that Matthew was written first, Luke used Matthew as a source, and Mark was a digest of Matthew and Luke. A third view holds that Mark was first, but there was no Q. Luke, then, used Mark and Matthew. Finally, the Augustinian view asserts that Matthew was first, Mark used Matthew, and Luke used both Matthew and Mark. There are still other lesser held views.

A strong argument can be made for Markan priority. The other two gospels used most of what is in Mark, and there is no good explanation why Mark would omit so much of either if he used them as sources. Additionally, the parallel material in Matthew and Luke has a more polished style than in Mark, making it more likely that Mark was the source.

The existence of Q can also be reasonably supported. The close parallels in Matthew and Luke in the material common only to them imply either that they shared a common source (Q), or that one made use of the other as a source (if so, it is more likely that Luke used Matthew). If there was a Q, it might have been an oral tradition or a written document. At this time, we have no way of knowing.

An important question that many believers might ask concerning this synoptic problem is, “If the Bible is the inspired word of God, why would a writer need to use sources?” Certainly God could have brought about the gospels without the writers using sources, but a high view of inspiration does not require the absence of sources. Inspiration only requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the composition of the text. The “synoptic problem” is not a problem in this regard.