The double tradition Synoptic Gospels

the preaching of john baptist in matthew , luke, differences rendered in black. here 2 texts agree verbatim, isolated exception, span of on sixty words. mark has no parallel.

an extensive set of material—some 2 hundred verses or half length of triple tradition—are pericopae shared between matthew , luke absent in mark. termed double tradition. parables , other sayings predominate in double tradition, includes narrative elements:

unlike triple-tradition material, double-tradition material differently arranged in 2 gospels. matthew s lengthy sermon on mount, example, paralleled luke s shorter sermon on plain, remainder of content scattered throughout luke. consistent general pattern of matthew collecting sayings large blocks, while luke opposite , intersperses them narrative.

besides double-tradition proper, matthew , luke agree against mark within triple tradition varying extents, including several additional verses, differing single word. these termed major , minor agreements (the distinction imprecise). 1 example in passion narrative, mark has simply, prophesy! while matthew , luke both add, struck you?

the double-tradition s origin, major , minor agreements, key facet of synoptic problem. simplest hypothesis luke relied on matthew s work or vice versa. many experts, on various grounds, maintain neither matthew nor luke used other s work. if case, must have drawn common source, distinct mark, provided double-tradition material , overlapped mark s content major agreements occur. hypothetical document termed q, german quelle, meaning source .