Quick notes on Sources for the Synoptic Gospels

(Originally written January 9, 2006 in Notebook 20)

Three Stages of Composition of Luke

1) Eyewitnesses who handed down the words of Jesus
2) The many who had already written accounts of Jesus and the early church
3) Luke himself, who carefully investigated and composed his own orderly account

Study Guide

Two Unique Births
- John the Baptist
- Jesus

Requirements of the Messiah
1) The Genealogical strand from the descendants of Abraham, tribe of Judah, line of David
2) The Prophetic strand: be born in Bethlehem, mother would be a virgin, and would flee to Egypt and be called back by God
3) Physical Evidence: he would have to perform certain acts

Primary Proof of Jesus as the Messiah
- The resurrection

The Synoptic Problem: Why are there so many similarities, yet differences in the three synoptic Gospels?

Marcan Priority: Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source
Matthean Priority: Mark and Luke used Matthew as a source
Q-Source: A Source that Matthew and Luke used alongside of Mark
- Problems with the Q-Source: It no longer exists and doesn't explain for when Matthew and Luke differ
Two-Source Theory: Matthew & Luke used Mark and the Q-Source to write their gospels
Four-Source Theory:
-Matthew and Luke used Mark and the Q-Source
-Matthew used an M-source as well
-Luke used an L-source as well

M-Source vs. L-Source
M-Source is material unique to Matthew
L-Source is material unique to Matthew

Importance of 2 Peter 3:15-16: Peter calls Paul's letters scripture in this passage