Structure Synoptic Gospels

1 structure

1.1 common features
1.2 triple tradition

1.2.1 example


1.3 relation mark
1.4 double tradition
1.5 special matthew , special luke

structure

over three-quarters of mark s content found in matthew, , of mark found in luke. additionally, matthew , luke have material in common not found in mark.


common features

broadly speaking, synoptic gospels similar john: composed in koine greek, have similar length, , completed within century of jesus death. differ non-canonical sources, such gospel of thomas, in belong ancient genre of biography, collecting not jesus teachings, recounting in orderly way origins, ministry , miracles, , passion , resurrection.

in content , in wording, though, synoptics diverge john have great deal in common each other. though each gospel includes unique material, majority of mark , half of matthew , luke coincide in content, in same sequence, verbatim. common material termed triple tradition.

the triple tradition

the triple tradition, material included 3 synoptic gospels, includes many stories , teachings:

furthermore, triple tradition s pericopae (passages) tend arranged in same order in 3 gospels. stands in contrast material found in 2 of gospels, more variable in order.

the classification of text belonging triple tradition (or matter, double tradition) not definitive, depending rather on degree of similarity demanded. example, matthew , mark report cursing of fig tree, single incident, despite substantial differences of wording , content. searching luke, however, find parable of barren fig tree, in different point of narrative. luke has extensively adapted element of triple tradition, while others regard distinct pericope.

example

christ cleansing leper jean-marie melchior doze, 1864.

an illustrative example of 3 texts in parallel healing of leper:

more half wording in passage identical. interesting, though, each gospel includes words absent in other 2 , omits included other two.

relation mark

it has been observed triple tradition constitutes complete gospel quite similar shortest gospel, mark.

mark, unlike matthew , luke, adds relatively little triple tradition. pericopae unique mark scarce, notably 2 healings involving saliva , naked runaway. mark s additions within triple tradition tend explanatory elaborations (e.g., stone rolled back, large ) or aramaisms (e.g., talitha kum! ). pericopae mark shares luke quite few: capernaum exorcism , departure capernaum, strange exorcist, , widow s mites. greater number, still not many, shared matthew, notably so-called great omission luke of mk 6:45–8:26.

most scholars take these observations strong clue literary relationship among synoptics , mark s special place in relationship. hypothesis favored experts marcan priority, mark composed first , matthew , luke each used mark , incorporated of it, adaptations, own gospels. leading alternative hypothesis marcan posteriority, mark formed extracting matthew , luke shared in common.

the double tradition

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 .

special matthew , special luke

matthew , luke contain large amount of material found in no other gospel. these materials called special matthew or m , special luke or l.

both special matthew , special luke include distinct opening infancy narratives , distinct post-resurrection conclusions (with luke continuing story in second book acts). in between, special matthew includes parables, while special luke includes both parables , healings.

special luke notable containing greater concentration of semitisms other gospel material.

luke gives indication of how composed gospel in prologue:

since many have undertaken set down orderly account of events have been fulfilled among us, handed on beginning eyewitnesses , servants of word, decided, after investigating first, write orderly account you, excellent theophilus, may know truth concerning things have been instructed.