By now it should be apparent that Matthew and Mark have similar accounts of many of the same events. The same is true of Luke. The first three gospel accounts are known as "synoptic" gospels because they are so similar in content. The German scholar J.J. Griesbach was the first to use the term synopsis, which literally means "seeing together." He chose to use this term because of the high degree of similarity between the three records in both content and tone. Although the three gospels have a different message in their presentation, they all seem to follow the pattern of Jesus in Galilee, Jesus in the north, Jesus in Judea enroute to Jerusalem and finally Jesus in Jerusalem.
The primary controversy regarding the gospel accounts, particularly among liberal theologians, is whether the synoptic gospels were written by the ascribed authors or whether the authors took their material primarily from other sources. The term "synoptic" itself derives from the Greek terms syn and opsesthai, which literally mean "together" and "seeing," respectively. Thus, "synoptic" is used to mean "those which see together" or "those which see alike." Unfortunately, it is the synoptic aspect of the gospels which validate them as much as it provides fodder for those who would discredit the accounts. Although the first three gospels view the life of Christ in a similar fashion, there are distinctives between them in focus and message.
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The Forty-Day Challenge, New Testament Edition is not intended to be an in-depth Bible study, but a challenge designed to help you to read through the entire New Testament in just forty days.
