The Synoptic Problem and the Gospel of John

The Synoptic Problem stands as one of the most enduring and complex issues in New Testament scholarship. It concerns the literary relationship between the first three Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels. These Gospels share numerous similarities in content, order, and wording, which has led scholars to ask how these Gospels are related. The central question is whether these Gospels were dependent on one another, and if so, to what extent.
The Synoptic Problem's significance is not merely academic; it touches on the foundational issues of Gospel origins, the nature of Biblical inspiration, and the process by which early Christian writings were formed and transmitted.