The Synoptic Problem and Gospel Formation Theories
The Synoptic Problem addresses the literary relationship among the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share significant similarities in content, wording, and order [4]. These three Gospels are termed "Synoptic" because they can be "seen together" or compared side-by-side due to their parallel accounts of Jesus's life and ministry. The core of the problem lies in explaining how these similarities, alongside notable differences, arose.
One prominent theory is the Two-Source Hypothesis. This theory posits that Mark was the earliest Gospel and served as a primary source for both Matthew and Luke. Additionally, Matthew and Luke are believed to have independently drawn from a hypothetical collection of Jesus's sayings, known as "Q" (from the German Quelle, meaning "source"). This Q source is thought to account for the material common to Matthew and Luke but absent from Mark. A third source, often labeled "M," is proposed for material unique to Matthew, and "L" for material unique to Luke. This hypothesis suggests a complex process of compilation and editing by the Gospel writers, who were not merely transcribing but actively shaping their narratives for specific audiences and theological purposes.
The Gospels often present "mysteries" or "dark sayings" that require interpretation [3, 5]. For instance, the parables of Jesus, such as the parable of the mustard seed, are described as "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" [6]. The understanding of these mysteries is often attributed to divine revelation [1, 3]. The apostle Paul, for example, speaks of the "mystery of his will" being made known to him by revelation [1, 3]. This concept of divine revelation suggests that the Gospel writers, and indeed all who seek to understand spiritual truths, rely on God's unveiling of knowledge [8]. The "mystery of the faith" itself, encompassing doctrines like the Trinity and the incarnation, is understood as something revealed by God, not discoverable by human reason alone [7].
The formation of the Gospels, therefore, involves both human literary processes and divine inspiration. The Synoptic Problem seeks to unravel the human side of this process, while the content of the Gospels themselves points to a divine origin for the truths they convey [2].
Sources
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:3: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery,.... Or "is made known unto me": so the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version. The Gospel, which is sometimes called a mystery, the mystery of the Gospel, the mystery of godliness, and the mystery of faith: the several doctrines of the Gospel are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; such as a trinity of persons in the Godhead, the union of the two natures in Christ, the saints' union to Christ, and communion with him, the resurrection of the dead, and the change of living saints, ”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 28:27: For the heart of this people is waxed gross,.... Or fat; stupefied with notions of carnal and temporal things, and become hardened against, and unsusceptible of, divine and spiritual things: and their ears are dull of hearing; the Gospel, and its joyful sound; to which they stop their cars, as the deaf adder to the voice of the charmer: and their eyes have they closed; and wilfully shut, against all evidence from facts, miracles, prophecies, and preaching: lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and shoul”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,.... The Gospel, which is a mystery, a hidden mystery, the mystery of God and of Christ, and the mystery of the Gospel; the several doctrines of it are called the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; such as are concerning the trinity of persons in the Godhead, the union of the two natures in Christ, his sonship and incarnation, the saints' union and communion with him, the work of the Spirit of God upon the soul, the calling of the Gentiles, and the conversion of the Jews, the resurrection of the dead, and the change”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 49:4: I will incline mine ear to a parable,.... In which way of speaking the doctrines of the Gospel were delivered out by Christ, Mat 13:3. Wherefore the prophet, representing his apostles and disciples, signifies that he would listen thereunto, that he might attain to the knowledge thereof, and communicate it to others; I will open my dark saying upon the harp; the enigmas, riddles, and mysteries of the Gospel, being understood by the ministers of it, are opened and explained in a very pleasant and delightful manner; they are made clear and evident, and are as a lovely ”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:29: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,.... As the former parable sets forth the condition of the Gospel church state until the end of the world; this expresses the small beginnings of it, and the large increase and growth of it, and its great usefulness to the saints, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: by "the kingdom of heaven" is meant, as before, the Gospel dispensation, or the Gospel church state, and the ministry of the word, and the administration of ordinances in it: by the grain of mu”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:9: Holding the mystery of the faith,.... The doctrine of the Gospel, called the "faith", because it contains things to be believed; proposes Christ the object of faith; is the means by which faith comes, and is unprofitable without it: it is called "the mystery", because it is of divine revelation, and could have never been discovered by human reason; and now it is revealed, the modus of many things contained in it remains a mystery; several of the doctrines of it are mysterious ones, particularly the doctrine of the Trinity; and which the ancient Jews call by this ver”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2:3: Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,.... Of God, Christ, and the Gospel; not only bow the ear and bend the mind to these things, but importunately and fervently pray for them; not only attend the ministry of the word by men, but cry to God to give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; which supposes some sense of a want of it, an hearty desire for it, having some apprehension of the worth and value of it; and that it is to be had, as there is indeed great reason to hope for and expect it, Jam 1:5; and liftest up thy vo”