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Out of context: Reply #65
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Mimio:
Synoptics-
"why are their Gospels so similar? There are several possible explanations. It is possible that whichever Gospel was written first (likely Mark) – the other Gospel writers had access to it. There is absolutely no problem with the idea that Matthew and/or Luke copied some text from Mark’s Gospel and used it in their Gospels. Perhaps Luke had access to Mark and Matthew and used texts from both of them in his own Gospel. Luke 1:1-4 tells us, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Another explanation is simply that the Synoptic Gospels are so similar because they are all inspired by the same Holy Spirit, and are all written by people who witnessed, or were told about, the same events. The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the Apostle, one of the twelve who followed Jesus and were commissioned by Him. The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, a close associate of the Apostle Peter, another one of the twelve. The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a close associate of the Apostle Paul, who was taught by the other Apostles about the Lord’s life and ministry. Why would we not expect their accounts to be very similar to one another? Each of the Gospels was ultimately inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, we should expect similarity and unity."