When we compare Matthew, Mark and Luke, it is obvious that the accounts are very similar to one another in content and expression. As a result, Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels.” The word “synoptic” basically means “to see together with a common view.

These, numerous similarities between the Synoptic Gospels has led some to wonder if the authors had a common source, another written account of Christ’s birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection from which they obtained the material for their Gospels. Some claim that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are so similar that they must have used each other’s Gospels, or another common source. This supposed “source” has been given the title “Q” from the German word “quelle” which means “source.”

Is there any evidence for a “Q” document?

Apart from the obvious similarities within the Synoptic Gospels the answer is No, there is not. No portion or fragment of a “Q” document has ever been found. None of the early church fathers ever mentioned a Gospel “source” in their writings.

So why are their Gospels so similar?

There are several possible explanations. It is possible that whichever Gospel was written first (likely Mark) – the other Gospel writers had access to it. There is no problem with the idea that Matthew and/or Luke copied some text from Mark’s Gospel and used it in their writting. Perhaps Luke had access to Mark and Matthew and used texts from both of them in his own Gospel.

Luke 1:1-4 tells us, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

Another explanation is simply that the Gospels are similar because they are all inspired by the same Holy Spirit, and are all written by people who witnessed, or were told about, the same events. The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the Apostle, one of the original chosen twelve who followed Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, a close associate of the Apostle Peter, another one of the twelve.

The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a close associate of the Apostle Paul, who was taught by the other Apostles about the Lord’s life and ministry. And who by his own words "investigated everything from the beginning" Why would we not expect their accounts to be very similar to one another? Each of the Gospels was ultimately inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, we should expect similarity and unity.

Thus the conclusion is that “Q” is the invention of liberal “scholars” who deny the inspiration of the Bible. They believe the Bible to be nothing more than a work of literature, subject to the same criticism given to other works of literature.

However, let us be totally clear on this matter,

• there is no evidence for “Q” – Biblically,
• there is no evidence for “Q” – theologically,
• there is no evidence for “Q” – historically.

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