The Synoptic Problem is about the similarities and dissimilarities of the synoptic gospels. asks: Why do Matthew, Mark, and Luke share so much material yet also differ? They tell similar stories in similar order with similar wording, but also have significant variations and unique content.
If the gospel writers wrote without copying each other, why are they so similar?
If they copied from each other, why are they different to some extent?
If they shared the same source, what were the source?
Major Solutions
1. Oral Tradition Theory
The gospel writers relied primarily on oral stories and teachings about Jesus that circulated in early Christian communities before being written down.
How it works: Preachers and teachers memorized and repeated Jesus' words and deeds. Different gospel writers heard similar oral accounts and wrote them down, which explains both similarities (same basic stories) and differences (variations in retelling).
Strengths: Explains shared content; fits with oral culture of ancient world
Weaknesses: Doesn't explain the extremely close word-for-word verbal agreements; oral tradition typically produces more variation
2. Memorabilia/Eyewitness Theory
The gospels are based on carefully memorized accounts taught by apostles and eyewitnesses who preserved Jesus' words and deeds in fixed forms.
How it works: Apostles created standardized teaching materials about Jesus (like catechisms). Gospel writers drew from these established eyewitness memorabilia, resulting in similar but not identical accounts.
Strengths: Values eyewitness testimony; explains structured nature of gospel accounts
Weaknesses: Still struggles to explain precise verbal agreements and the specific patterns of when gospels agree/disagree
3. Two-Document Hypothesis (Dominant Theory)
This theory says that Mark was written first. Matthew and Luke independently used Mark as a source, plus a second shared document of Jesus' sayings called "Q" (from German Quelle = source).
How it works:
Mark = earliest gospel (written ~65-70 CE)
Matthew and Luke (~80-90 CE) each had copies of Mark
Both also accessed Q = a now-lost collection of Jesus' sayings
Strengths:
Explains triple tradition (the two gospels share material from Mark)
Explains double tradition (Matthew-Luke share sayings not in Mark = Q)
Explains why Mark is usually the "middle term" in agreements
Accounts for order and wording patterns
Weaknesses:
Q is hypothetical (no manuscript exists)
Some Matthew-Luke agreements against Mark are hard to explain
4. Four-Document Hypothesis
Definition: An expansion of the Two-Document Hypothesis that explicitly names all four sources used by Matthew and Luke.
How it works: Same as Two-Document, but additional two sources M and L:
Mathew - copied from Mark, Q source and M source.
Luke copied from Mark, Q source, and L source.
Q - sayings source used by both.
M - Matthew's special source (unique material only in Matthew)
L - Luke's special source (unique material only in Luke)
Four documentary hypothesis is the acceptable solution to the synoptic problems.
5. Griesbach Hypothesis (Two-Gospel Hypothesis)
This theory holds that Matthew was written first, Luke used Matthew, and Mark created a shorter gospel by combining and condensing both Matthew and Luke.
Argument in favor of Mark
Brevity, Mark is short in content, it's believed that Mathew used it.
If mark copied Mathew, it's not possible to omit important messages like the lord's prayer.
Mark is rough and contains eight Aramaic words used by Jesus.
Mathew over polish grammar and remove misunderstood statement.