2.08.2013

The Synoptic Gospels

The Synoptic Gospels

Excerpt:


The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to specifically as the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories, often in the same sequence, and similar wording.

This degree of parallelism in content, narrative arrangement, language, and sentence structures can only be accounted for by literary interdependence. Many scholars believe that these gospels share the same point of view and are clearly linked.

The term synoptic comes from the Greek syn, meaning "together", and optic, meaning "seen".

According to the majority viewpoint, Mark was the first gospel written. Matthew and Luke then used Mark as a source, as well as a hypothetical sayings gospel known as Q. Matthew and Luke also included unique material, and the sources for this material are designated M and L, respectively.
Comment: Nice graphic from Wiki. Article is worthwhile as well. I'm not convinced about "Q" but I am no expert

2 comments:

  1. Kathee and I just completed Matthew tonight ...

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  2. This is handy. I'm referring to the synoptic situation in Sunday's sermon. "Q" is a character in the new Star Trek and an invention of liberal theology. The idea that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source is also dubious. I prefer to see them as three witnesses to many of the same events.

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