Introduction To Triple-Tradition Comparisons

by Dr. Robert L. Thomas

Professor of New Testament

The Master's Seminary

• With minor modifications, the source of the section numbers and textual arrangements is Earnest de Witt Burton and Edgar Johnson Goodspeed, A Harmony of the Synoptic Gospels in Greek (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1947)
• The text followed in the Comparisons is that of the United Bible Society Greek Text, 4th edition.
• There are three parts to this work as follows:
  
  
  • Part One: Triple-Tradition Comparisons
  • Part Two: Double-Tradition Comparisons
  • Part Three: Double-Tradition Comparisons in Triple-Tradition Sections

Part One: Triple-Tradition Comparisons

• The texts used are those of the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, and the Gospel of Luke in sections where all three Gospels include an account.
• Each numbered section has seven Comparisons:
  • one that designates identical words in all three Gospels,
  • one that designates agreements of inclusion by Matthew and Mark against Luke,
  • one that designates agreements of inclusion by Matthew and Luke against Mark,
  • one that designates agreements of inclusion by Luke and Marks against Matthew,
  • one that designates agreements of omission by Matthew and Mark against Luke,
  • one that designates agreements of omission by Matthew and Luke against Mark, and
  • one that designates agreements of omission by Luke and Mark against Matthew.
• The Comparisons in parallel columns identify identical forms by underlining in two or three Gospels when relevant to the particular comparison being made. Three words or phrases in parallel columns are underlined in comparisons entitled "Matt-Mk-Lk Identical." Two words or phrases are underlined in parallel columns in comparisons entitled "Matt-Mk Inclusions." These are comparisons in which Matthew and Mark agree against Luke in what they include. Likewise, two words or phrases are underlined in parallel columns in comparisons entitled "Matt-Lk Inclusions" and "Mk-Lk Inclusions." The former of agreements of inclusion of Matthew and Luke against Mark and the latter are agreements of inclusion of Mark and Luke against Matthew.
• The Comparisons in parallel columns also identify instances when two of the three Gospels agree with each other in omitting what is found in a third Gospel. The Comparisons citing the omissions of Lukan material by Matthew and Mark are entitled "Matt-Mk Omissions." The Comparisons citing the omissions of Markan material by Matthew and Luke are entitled "Matt-Lk Omissions." The Comparisons citing the omissions of Matthean material by Mark and Luke are entitled "Mk-Lk Omissions." In each of these comparisons the omission is either underlined or "boxed in."
• In the comparisons of each section a tabulation of identical words in all three Gospels or agreements of two Gospels against a third Gospel comes at the end of each Comparison. In cases of identical words in all three Gospels, a percentage figure compares the number of identical words involved with the total number of words in the accounts of all Gospels in that particular section.
• Care has been taken formulating these Comparisons, but in a work so voluminous errors of various types have undoubtedly crept in. The nature and number of the errors should not affect the final outcome of the Comparisons, however.

Contents

Each section number from the Burton-Goodspeed Harmony has seven subdivisions that appear in the follow alphabetical sequence:

• Matthew-Luke agreements of inclusion
• Matthew-Luke agreements of omission
• Matthew-Mark agreements of inclusion
• Matthew-Mark agreements of omission
• Matthew-Mark-Luke identical words
• Mark-Luke agreements of inclusion
• Mark-Luke agreements of omission

Part Two: Double-Tradition Comparisons

The Burton-Goodspeed Harmony has 29 sections of double-tradition in the Synoptic Gospels. By underlining identical forms in the two of the Gospels in each section, one can compare the proportions of each section where literary interdependence may or may not have occurred.

Part Three: Double-Tradition Comparisons in Triple Tradition Sections

Triple-tradition sections are listed in Part One of these comparisons. Part Three of the comparisons puts two of the three Gospels at the same time along side each other. These comparisons are implemented in all possible combinations.

The sequence of the comparisons is reflected in the following charts.

Section One: Matthew-Mark Comparisons

Section Two: Mark-Luke Comparisons

Section Three: Matthew-Luke Comparisons