What is the Synoptic Problem?

Answer

When the initial three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are compared, it is evident that the narratives are very alike in content and expression. Consequently, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the “Synoptic Gospels.” The term synoptic essentially means “to see together with a common view.” The resemblances among the Synoptic Gospels have prompted some to question whether the Gospel writers had a shared source, another written record of Christ’s birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection from which they drew the material for their Gospels. The issue of how to account for the similarities and variances among the Synoptic Gospels is known as the Synoptic Problem.

Some contend that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are so alike that they must have utilized each other’s Gospels or another common source. This alleged “source” has been labeled “Q” from the German word quelle, meaning “source.” Is there any proof of a “Q” document? No, there is not. No part or fragment of a “Q” document has ever been unearthed. None of the early church fathers ever referenced a Gospel “source” in their writings. “Q” is the creation of liberal “scholars” who reject the inspiration of the Bible. They view the Bible as nothing more than a piece of literature, open to the same critique applied to other literary works. Once again, there is absolutely no evidence for a “Q” document—biblically, theologically, or historically.

If Matthew, Mark, and Luke did not utilize a “Q” document, why are their Gospels so similar? There are several potential explanations. It is conceivable that, whichever Gospel was written first (potentially Mark, although the church fathers claimed that Matthew was written first), the other Gospel writers had access to it. There is no issue with the notion that Matthew and/or Luke borrowed some text from Mark’s Gospel and incorporated it into their Gospels. Perhaps LukHe had access to Mark and Matthew and utilized texts from both of them in his own Gospel. Luke 1:1–4 states, “Many have attempted to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I have carefully investigated everything from the start, 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 significant an issue as some attempt to portray it. The reason why the Synoptic Gospels are so alike is that they are all inspired by the same Holy Spirit and are all authored by individuals who witnessed or were informed about the same events. The Gospel of Matthew was scribed by Matthew the apostle, one of the twelve who followed Jesus and were sent by Him. The Gospel of Mark was authored by John Mark, a close companion of the apostle Peter, another one of the twelve. The Gospel of Luke was penned by Luke, a close associate of the apostle Paul. Why should we not anticipate their narratives 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). Hence, we should anticipate coherence and unity.