The Fourth Synoptic Gospel: John’s Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

A bold reassessment of John’s Gospel and its relationship to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Generations ago in biblical studies, it was taken for granted that John wrote with full knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But this consensus was overturned in the 1930s and since then, there has been no agreement on the issue. Today many scholars view the problem as unsolvable or impossibly complex. Mark Goodacre, however, takes a different view. In his galvanizing new book, Goodacre synthesizes long-neglected data with newer perspectives to make a strong case for John’s familiarity with all three Synoptic Gospels.

Writing in a clear and accessible style, Goodacre takes a systematic, step by step approach to showing that John knew and used the narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Goodacre identifies key points of agreement that range from diagnostic shards to shared structures. He also analyzes key differences; in his telling, John dramatically transforms the Synoptics and develops their Christology while adding a beloved disciple of Jesus, who is himself a Synoptic character. To make his argument accessible to a broad audience, Goodacre minimizes the use of scholarly citations and translates all Greek words. Just as importantly, he illustrates his claims with clear, simple charts so that readers can see for themselves the evidence that John knew and used the Synoptics.

The Fourth Synoptic Gospel is sure to spark lively discussions among biblical scholars. Given that John’s relationship to the Synoptics is a fundamental issue in New Testament studies, Goodacre’s book is also a must read for students and professors alike.

Mark Goodacre is professor of religious studies at Duke University. He specializes in New Testament and Christian origins, and his research interests include the Gospels and the historical Jesus. He is the author of The Case Against Q: Studies in Markan Priority and the Synoptic Problem and Thomas and the Gospels: The Case for Thomas’s Familiarity with the Synoptics.