Scholars often talk of the "synoptic problem" when studying the synoptic Gospels. I understand the basics of what they are saying, but the majority of their studies reek of a heavily secularist bias, so I am a bit skeptical of their conclusions.
That being said, I do think there is some evidence that the writers of Matthew and Luke had access to the Gospel of Mark. (This is not necessarily a bad thing.)
Has anyone here ever attempted to study the synoptic Gospels (or even all 4) side by side? If so, do you have any advice, recommendations, or insights on this?
Matthews gospel was originally written in Greek;
The Ebionites were a Christian sect that claimed to preserve the original autograph of apostle Matthew in Hebrew. It is quoted often by Epiphanius in the 300s. He said its official title was “The Gospel according to Matthew.” (Epiphanius, Panarion 30, 13, 2-3.)
Apostle John told Papias around 90 A.D. about this book of Matthew: “Matthew put together the oracles [of the Lord] in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could.” (Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. iii. 39, quoting Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord)
Irenaeus likewise says: “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book III, Chapter I, quoted in Eusebius,
Ecclesiastical History, Book V, Chapter VIII.)
Jerome around 404 A.D. wrote of this too: “The Hebrew [Matthew] itself has been preserved until the present day in the library at Caesarea which Pamphilus so diligently gathered.” (Jerome, Lives of Illustrious Men, Chapter III.)
“Matthew collected the oracles (ta logia) in the Hebrew language, and each interpreted them as best he could.” – Papias (Eusebius, H.E. 3.39.16)
“As having learnt by tradition concerning the four Gospels, which alone are unquestionable in the Church of God under heaven, that first was written according to Matthew, who was once a tax collector but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ, who published it for those who from Judaism came to believe, composed as it was in the Hebrew language.” – Origen (Eusebius, H.E. 6.25.4)
Jerome appears convinced the Hebrew Matthew to which the Nazarenes gave him access was the true autograph of Matthew. Jerome notes how it was protected in a private library at Caesarea. He writes in On Illustrious Men ch. III (404 A.D.): “Matthew, also called Levi, apostle and aforetimes publican, composed a gospel of Christ at first published in Judea in Hebrew for the sake of those of the circumcision who believed, but this was afterwards translated into Greek though by what author is uncertain. The Hebrew itself has been preserved until the present day in the library at Caesarea which Pamphilus so diligently gathered. I have also had the opportunity of having the volume described to me by the Nazarenes of Beroea, a city of Syria, who use it.”
Copies of the Hebrew version remain. There are 2 good books with this translation noted, the translation by George Lamsa I would not reccomend, it is not terrible but it is not true to the manuscript; as he "corrected" the Hebrew veersion by what the greek said in a number of places, but as history shows it was originally written in Hebrew translated into greek. I would reccomend "The Chronological Gospels; The Life and 70 weekk Ministry of Messiah.
Here is a single example of the textual difference (I know of 4 others, the geneology is correct in Mat 1, the one is left one is taken in Mat 24, do not make oath, and incident with Mary off the top of my head that are key readings) Oh also, when He is resurrected in the Greek version He says;
New International Version
Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
In Hebrew vversion He says
Mat 28:9, "And as they were going to report to His taught ones, see,
יהושע met them saying, “
יהוה has saved you!” And they came and held Him by the feet and did bow to Him."
New International Version - Mat 23:2-3, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."
King James Bible - Mat 23:2-3, "Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Hebrew Mattithyah - Mat 23:2-3, "The Pharisees and Sages sit upon the seat of Mosheh. Therefore, all that he (Mosheh) says to you, diligently do, but according to their takanot (reforms) and thier ma'asim (precedents) do not do, because they talk (Torah) but they do not do."
Takanot: rabbinical reforms or enactments that falsely change or add to YHWH's Law.
Ma'asim: acts or deeds that serve as precedents for rabbinic law.
Both Takanot and Ma'asim are laws of the Talmud
