Synoptic Gospels: Similarities Between Matthew And Luke

Synoptic Problem
Similarities between the Synoptic Gospels
There are numerous similarities between the synoptic Gospels, to many to say that it is just chance. There are similarities in events, grammar, location, use of words, expressions and many more. Four types of similarities, according to the ‘Catholic planet’ article are “that some material is found in all three, second that there are similarities between Matthew and Luke which are not found in mark, third, that there are similarities in Mark and Luke not found in Matthew, and fourth is that there are similarities between Matthew and Mark not found in Luke. The strongest proponent of the synoptic characterization in my opinion would have to be items that are in all three gospels. These

are the items that carry the most weight. For instance, the journey into Galilee is in all three and John, which lends to crediting the event. Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee is also in all three as well as John. The healing of Peter’s Mother in law was in all three, as well as the cleansing of the leper, the healing of the paralytic, the call of Levi (Matthew), the question about fasting, plucking grain on the Sabbath, the man with the withered hand, Jesus healing multitudes by the sea, the choosing of the twelve, and the occasion of the preaching of the sermon on the mount.

Material for the Gospel
Matthew’s gospel source was probably the Old Testament, combined with his firsthand experience with Jesus. It is quite possible that they relied on each other in some manner for their content. It is often speculated that each one had access to some of the same material. Some think that Mark was written first and that Matthew and Luke was written afterwards.

Source.
The International Bible Society, the synoptic Gospel article, states that a mathematical comparison shows that 91 per cent of mark’s Gospel is found in Matthew, while 53 percent of Mark is found in Luke. It also states that the most common view is that the Gospel of Mark and a hypothetical document called Quelle (German for “source”) or Q, were used by Matthew and Luke.

Solution.
I describe the synoptic problem as being a way for the enemy to oppose the true word of God. Most of this is just a diversionary tactic to try to get people focus away from the importance of His word. The books were the accounts of three different individuals who walked and fellowshipped with the same man, a God-Man who walked the earth for three and a half years and then ascended back to heaven and is now on the throne. There accounts are true as was his appearance three days after they crucified him, and are accounted for by many witnesses.
Our job is to just continue praying for those who are trying to use these methods to discredit the authenticity of the Gospel.
References
WWW.CATHOLICPLANET.COM.ROMAN CATHOLIC THEOLOGY AND BIBLICAL STUDIES
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY (zondervan N.I.V.). (2014, JANUARY 16). THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS. BIBLICA.