Synoptic; Gospels

The term 'Synoptic Gospels' (from Greek synopsis, 'seeing together') refers to the first three canonical Gospels — Matthew, Mark, and Luke — which share substantial common material, parallel narratives, and often nearly identical wording, in contrast to John which exhibits a distinctive structure, vocabulary, and selection of material. The Synoptic Problem is the question of the literary relationship among the three: how to explain their extensive agreements in content, order, and wording alongside their significant divergences. The dominant scholarly solution (the Two-Source Hypothesis) proposes that Matthew and Luke independently drew on Mark (the earliest Gospel, c. AD 65-70) and on a hypothetical sayings source 'Q' (German Quelle, 'source'), plus their own special material (M and L respectively).

The Augustinian hypothesis (Matthew → Mark → Luke) was standard through the patristic period and is still held by some conservative scholars. The Farrer-Goulder hypothesis proposes Mark first, then Matthew using Mark, then Luke using both (eliminating Q). Despite the literary-dependency debate, all three Synoptics present substantially the same outline: Galilean proclamation of the kingdom, calling of disciples, healing and teaching ministry, journey to Jerusalem, passion narrative, and resurrection. Their different emphases — Matthew's messianic fulfillment of OT law and prophecy, Mark's urgent action-centered narrative, Luke's universal scope and attention to the marginalized and Spirit-led mission — represent complementary theological perspectives on the same historical events rather than contradictory accounts, each written for particular communities with particular pastoral concerns.