The Four-Source Theory for the Synoptic Gospels: A Comprehensive Analysis

The four-source theory for the synoptic gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke is a significant scholarly concept that aims to explain the interrelation and compositional history of these three gospels. This theory builds upon the two-source theory and introduces additional sources to account for the unique material in Matthew and Luke.

The Synoptic Gospels: An Overview

The term 'synoptic' means 'seen together,' and it is used to describe the three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke due to their close literary relationship. Unlike the Gospel of John, which has a distinct and different style, the synoptic gospels share many events, sequences, and even wording.

The Two-Source Theory

The most common theory among scholars is the two-source theory. This theory posits that both Matthew and Luke used Mark as their primary source. Additionally, they both utilized a hypothetical source known as 'Q' (Quelle in German, meaning source), which is believed to contain unique sayings and teachings attributed to Jesus.

Almost all New Testament scholars agree that the Gospel of Mark was the major source for Matthew and Luke. According to the theory, Matthew incorporates around 90% of Mark’s content, often in the same sequence and wording. Similarly, Luke also draws heavily from Mark, though sometimes in a slightly different sequence. However, both Matthew and Luke include additional material not found in Mark, and this is where the tricky part lies.

Matthew and Luke are particularly unique in their use of the Q Source for some of their material. This hypothetical source is believed to contain sayings of Jesus that were not recorded in Mark but common to both Matthew and Luke. The material unique to Matthew is often attributed to a source named 'M,' while the material unique to Luke is attributed to a source named 'L.'

The Introduction of the Four-Source Theory

The four-source theory is a further development of the two-source theory. It addresses the material unique to Matthew and Luke, which cannot be explained solely by attributing it to Mark or Q. The theory introduces a new pair of sources, 'M' and 'L,' to account for this additional material.

Material unique to Matthew is thought to come from 'M' (Matthew-only), and material unique to Luke is from 'L' (Luke-only). However, there are variations of the four-source theory, with some scholars arguing that much of the material in Matthew and Luke can be seen as being inspired or drawn from the Old Testament Greek Septuagint version.

Key Points of the Four-Source Theory

The Role of Mark: Mark is the primary source for both Matthew and Luke, with significant overlap in content and sequence. The Q Source: This hypothetical source contains unique sayings of Jesus and is a common source for both Matthew and Luke. The M Source: This source explains the material unique to Matthew, which is not found in Mark or Q. The L Source: This source accounts for the material unique to Luke, which is not found in Mark or Q.

Challenges and Controversies

The four-source theory, like the two-source theory, is not without its challenges and controversies. Some scholars argue that much of the material unique to Matthew and Luke could be seen as inspired by the Old Testament Greek Septuagint version. This perspective challenges the idea that these gospels were entirely dependent on Mark and Q.

Conclusion

The four-source theory for the synoptic gospels remains a topic of intense discussion among scholars. While it provides a framework for explaining the similarities and differences between Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it also raises questions about the nature of biblical scholarship and the historical and literary relationship between these gospels.

References

For a more in-depth discussion on the four-source theory and related topics, consult the works of scholars such as John Meier, Marcus Borg, and Arbeitman, K?blen, and Shirer. These scholars provide valuable insight into the theories and methodologies used in biblical criticism.