Editing Two-source hypothesis (section)

== Background: the synoptic problem ==

The hypothesis is a solution to what is known as the [[synoptic problem]]: the question of how best to account for the differences and similarities between the three [[synoptic gospels]], Matthew, Mark and Luke. The answer to this problem has implications for the order in which the three were composed, and the sources on which their authors drew.

Any solution to the synoptic problem needs to account for two features:
*The "triple tradition": The three gospels frequently share both wording and arrangement of "pericopes" (incidents, stories - this substantial sharing is what led to them being called "synoptic", or seeing-together). Where they differ on this shared material, Mark and Luke will agree against Matthew, or Mark and Matthew will agree against Luke, but very rarely will Mark be the odd one out. Matthew's and Luke's versions of shared pericopes will usually be shorter than Mark's.
*The "double tradition": Sometimes Matthew and Luke share material which is not present in Mark. In these cases Matthew and Luke sometimes parallel each other closely, but at other times are widely divergent.<ref name="mindspring">[http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/synopt/2sh/index.htm "The Two-Source Hypothesis", Mindspring.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515022301/http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/synopt/2sh/index.htm |date=15 May 2008 }}</ref>