The Progressive Publication of Matthew

Scholars have long debated the “Synoptic Problem”—questions about why and how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke share so much common material. Entering this important discussion that involves the trustworthiness of the Gospels, B. Ward Powers draws attention to the evidence pointing to Matthew’s Gospel having been published progressively, with identifiable sections of his material then being seen and utilized by Luke. After both of these Gospels had been published in their current form, they together with the preaching of the Apostle Peter were the three sources used by Mark in producing a special-purpose Gospel for preachers and evangelists. ** The Progressive Publication of Matthew fleshes out this proposal, measuring it in detail against other hypotheses.