| Four-source hypothesis | |
 | |
| Theory Information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Mark, Q, M, L, (Antiochian document), (Document of Infancy) (Proto-Luke) Matthew, Luke |
| Additional Sources | Q source, M source, L source, (Antiochian document), (Document of Infancy) |
| Gospels' Sources | |
| Matthew | Mark, Q, M, (Antiochian document) |
| Luke | Mark, Q, L, (Proto-Luke), (Document of Infancy) |
| Theory History | |
| Originator | B. H. Streeter |
| Origination Date | 1925 |
The four-document hypothesis or four-source hypothesis is an explanation for the relationship between the three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It posits that there were at least four sources to the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke: the Gospel of Mark and three lost sources (Q, M, and L). It was proposed by B. H. Streeter in 1925, who refined the two-source hypothesis into a four-source hypothesis.[1][2]
- ^ Thomas, Robert L. (2002). "The Case for the Markan Priority View of Gospel Origins". Three Views on the Origins of the Synoptic Gospels. Kregel Academic. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-8254-9882-4.
Several other problems must be considered by those who accept the Two- or Four-Source Hypothesis. First, the Four-Source hypothesis is much more complex (positing Q, M, and L as sources) than the Two-Gospel Hypothesis
- ^ "Biblical literature - The Synoptic problem". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-08-15.