The Gospel of Mark is widely considered by the majority of biblical scholars to be the oldest Gospel in the Bible.
Understanding the Order of the Synoptic Gospels
The New Testament contains four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The first three—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels due to their similar content, narrative structure, and often identical wording. While for centuries it was believed that Matthew was the first Gospel written, modern scholarship overwhelmingly supports the view that Mark was composed first.
The Theory of Markan Priority
According to the prevailing academic consensus, the Gospel of Mark was the foundational narrative. Both Matthew and Luke then independently utilized Mark as a primary source for their own accounts of Jesus's life, ministry, death, and resurrection. This theory, known as Markan Priority, helps explain the significant overlaps and shared sequences found among the Synoptic Gospels.
In addition to using Mark, Matthew and Luke also drew upon other sources:
- The "Q" Source: Both Matthew and Luke supplemented Mark's narrative with a collection of Jesus's sayings, referred to by scholars as the "Q source" (from Quelle, German for "source"). This hypothetical document is believed to be the reason for the common material found in Matthew and Luke that is not present in Mark.
- Unique Material: Each of the Gospels also contains unique material, often called "M" for Matthew's distinct content and "L" for Luke's, which provides additional insights and perspectives not found in the other Gospels.
Chronological Order of the Synoptic Gospels
The generally accepted order of composition for the Synoptic Gospels, based on scholarly analysis, is as follows:
| Gospel | Estimated Order (Scholarly Consensus) | Primary Sources Used |
|---|---|---|
| Mark | First | Various early traditions, oral accounts |
| Matthew | Second | Mark, Q source, unique "M" material |
| Luke | Third | Mark, Q source, unique "L" material, early Christian traditions |
This understanding of the Gospels' development provides valuable insight into how the early Christian community documented and interpreted the life and teachings of Jesus. You can learn more about these relationships on the Wikipedia page for Gospel.
