Summation
The Synoptic Problem refers to the challenge of explaining the similarities and differences among the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the New Testament. These three accounts Share numerous stories, teachings and sequences of events, but they also contain unique material
and variations in wording and order. The term “Synoptic” comes from the Greek words syn (together) and optic (seeing) indicating that these Gospels can be “seen together” due to their similarities.
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According to Walter A2 Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough in their textbook “Encountering the
New Testament. A Historical and Theological Survey,” third edition (Baker Academic, 2013), the
Synoptic Problem arises from the fact that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell the story of Jesus but do so with significant differences”
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1.
Augustinian Hypothesis
: this hypothesis suggests that Matthew was the first Gospel written, followed by Mark who used Matthew as a source, and then Luke who used both Matthew and Mark.
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1
“Encountering Biblical Studies.” Baker Academic
. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://bakeracademic.com/series/Encountering-Biblical-Studies/1493. 2
Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W Yarbrough. Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey, Third Edition., Encountering Biblical Studies (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), Iii.
Third ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker academics, 2013
. 3
Ibid
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