Multi-source hypothesis

The Multi-source hypothesis is a proposed solution to the synoptic problem, holding that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are not directly interdependent but have each drawn from a distinct combination of earlier documents. It encompasses a family of theories differing in the particulars of the nature and relationships of these earlier documents.

Multi-source hypothesis

Theory Information
Order	Proto, Q A, B Matt, Mark, Luke
Additional Sources	Q-source, Proto, A, B
Gospels' Sources
Matthew	A, Q
Mark	A, B
Luke	B, Q
Theory History
Originator	Herbert Marsh
Proponents	Marie-Émile Boismard, Philippe Rolland, Delbert Burkett

An early form of the theory was proposed by Herbert Marsh over two centuries ago.^[1] More recently, Marie-Émile Boismard proposed a structurally similar theory,^[2] which was further developed by Philippe Rolland^[3] and Delbert Burkett. Alan Kirk and Christopher Skinner have critiqued Burkett’s model for the Synoptic Problem.^[4][5][6]

According to these theories, the common material among the three synoptic gospels ultimately derives from a proto-gospel somewhat like Mark. This proto-gospel underwent two independent revisions, A and B. Mark was formed by recombining these two revisions. Matthew built upon A and Luke upon B. Both Matthew and Luke also drew from a common source Q, as well as other sources for their unique material.

See also

• Two-source hypothesis
• Source criticism

References

1. Marsh 1823, pp. 167–409.
2. Boismard 1979, pp. 1–17.
3. Rolland 1984, p. 136 Rolland hypothesizes a proto-Matthew source originally composed in Hebrew
4. Burkett 2004, pp. 141–2 Burkett hypothesizes a proto-Mark source originally composed in Greek
5. Kirk, Alan. "Orality, Writing, and Phantom Sources". New Testament Studies. 58 (1): 1–22.
6. Skinner, Christopher. "Review of Delbert Burkett, Rethinking the Gospel Sources". Review of Biblical Literature. 2.

Sources

• Boismard, Marie-Émile (1979). "The Two-Source Theory at an Impasse". New Testament Studies. 26: 1–17. doi:10.1017/s002868850000864x. S2CID 144085583. (translated by Lorraine Caza, Robert Beck and Francis Martin)
• Burkett, Delbert (2004). Rethinking the Gospel Sources: From Proto-Mark to Mark. Continuum. ISBN 978-0-567-02550-0.
• Marsh, Herbert (1823) [1801]. "Dissertation on the Origin of our Three First Canonical Gospels". In Michaelis, John David (ed.). Introduction to the New Testament. Vol. 3, pt. 2 (2 ed.). F. & C. Rivington. pp. 167–409. OCLC 9174154.
• Rolland, Philippe [in French] (1984). Les Premiers Évangiles, un nouveau regard sur le problème synoptique (in French). Les Éditions du Cerf. ISBN 978-2-204-02118-0.