What are the characteristics of the Synoptic Gospels?

A:

All three gospels were originally anonymous until the second-century Church Fathers attributed them to the persons whose names they now bear. The characteristic of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that results in them being termed 'synoptic gospels' is their similarity, not only of content but often of the same Words in the Greek language. When laid in parallel and read synoptically ('with the same eye') it is clear that there is a literary relationship amongst these gospels. New Testament scholars have established that Mark was the first to be written, and that Matthew and Luke were substantially based on that original New Testament gospel. It can also be seen that Matthew and Luke both relied on another document, now known as the hypothetical 'Q' document, for sayings material attributed to Jesus.

There is evidence that Mark was, in turn, based partly on the epistles of Paul, and perhaps Greek beliefs. This gospel is based around a framework chiastic-parallel structure of immense scope and a complexity beyond those found in the writings of less gifted writers.