Two Source Hypothesis (Griesbach)
Claimed that Matthew was the first gospel to
Single Source Theory (Farrer & Goulder) be written, followed by Luke before 60AD, and Multiple Attestation Theory (Boismard)
Claimed that Mark’s gospel came first, then Matthew used Mark’s Mark combined them both. Claimed that there were various versions of each gospel, and while each remained true
gospel and Luke used both Matthew and Mark. Strengths to their own character, they were all influenced by and used sections of each other’s
Strengths Mark’s gospel uses double expression, gospels and Q.
It makes Q unnecessary as the material that Luke and Matthew combining expressions from Luke and Strengths
share which is not from Mark is simply Matthew’s work. It explains Matthew. The order of material in Mark is the It is so complicated and in depth that it explains ever similarity and difference between
all the similarities between Matthew and Luke where they agree same as that in Matthew and Luke. This each gospel. The theory gives a detailed account of each primary source, so has
with each other but disagree with Mark. theory has been accepted for almost 20 historical basis.
Weaknesses centuries. Weaknesses
Using two gospels as sources is a modern technique and seems too Weaknesses It seems unrealistic that the gospels were reworked and revised so many times as this is
anachronistic. It suggests that Matthew and Luke added Mark dismisses important information from a modern technique. It is more typical of oral tradition, as this is more fluid. It is too
extensively to Mark’s tradition without historical basis. A lot of Matthew and Luke, such as the birth and logical to explain a literary process, as it assumes that the process was consistent and
Matthew’s main stories were shortened or not included in Luke, resurrection narratives. It is possible to make predictable.
and this is left unexplained. sense of the gospels being in the same order
with Mark’s coming last. Mark’s gospel is
linguistically and theologically more primitive, Source Criticism
Two Document Theory (Neirynck) so should come first. Irenaeus could have Source Criticism is concerned with what written sources lie behind the
Claimed that Mark’s was the first gospel to be written, misinterpreted Papias, who never said that synoptic gospels and how the three are related to each other. The
then Matthew and Luke wrote using Mark and source Q. Mark’s gospel came before the others. synoptic problem is how the synoptic gospels are all similar, yet have
Strengths common differences, and looks at how they are related in order to judge
Similarities between Matthew and Luke can be seen, but Biblical Criticism their reliability. Historically, knowing which gospel came first allows one
they are usually sayings, not incidents, proving the use of to identify ‘the most primitive and original form of the tradition’
the common sayings source Q. The language and theology (Wansbrough), the closest words to Jesus, and see how each of the
in Matthew and Luke are more developed than in Mark as Redaction Criticism gospel writers put their own theological imprint on the tradition.
they wanted to form a more dignified image of Jesus. Redaction criticism is concerned with the way
Scholars and source critics are not in agreement about how the
Weaknesses the gospel writers redacted their sources. It
synoptics are related and propose differing theories. ‘The first three
Large amounts of Matthew and Luke’s gospels disagree suggests they were not just compilers or editors,
gospels share so much material that there must be a literary
against Mark, suggesting that they knew each other, so but they selected material and added to it for
relationship’ (Wansbrough).
there is no need for Q. The scenes were Matthew and their own theological motives. It explains why
Luke agree are sometimes incidents, which confuses the each of the gospels has different theological
nature of Q. There is no proof of the existence of Q, and it ideas, and how the gospel writers’ sitz im leben
affected what they wrote. John’s Gospel soars Form Criticism
is a problematic source. Form criticism is interested in how stories were transmitted in the oral period
theologically over the others, depicting Jesus as
‘God striding over the Earth’. Matthew’s Gospel before they were written down.
represents Jesus as a teacher or king and Strengths
Four Source Hypothesis (Streeter)
develops the theme of discipleship. Luke’s The material about Jesus only amounts to a few weeks, so there must have
Claimed that there were four written sources behind Matthew and
Gospel symbolises the lower classes, been some natural selection and some material discarded. Certain stories, ie.
Luke’s gospels: Mark’s gospel, source Q, M source and L source.
emphasising Luke’s theology that Jesus had Miracle stories have a regular form. All the stories or sayings have a religious or
Strengths
come for all people. Mark’s Gospel was written moral point, supporting the church’s involvement to use them to suit the sitz
It explains how Matthew and Luke follow Mark’s order but improve
for the persecuted Christians to encourage them im leben. Different stories and sayings have vague connections, so they must
his language and theology, that Matthew and Luke have sayings in
in their faith during persecution. It contains the have been artificially constructed together.
common from Q, and why they have unique material from their
Messianic secret with Jesus telling people to Weaknesses
individual sources. It suggests that the special Matthean and Lukan
keep it a secret that he is the Messiah. There was a short period of time between preaching and writing down, so not
material came from pre-written sources so has historical basis.
much could’ve changed. Eyewitnesses would have challenged adaptations. It
Weaknesses
assumes that the gospel writers were not concerned with writing accurate
The nature of Q is problematic and there is no proof of its
history. In Jewish culture, Oral transmission was carefully controlled between
existence. There are minor agreements between Matthew and
teacher and pupil. The church could’ve written down stories and sayings earlier
Luke which suggest one used the other as a source.
than suggested, so there was less time for change.
