The Fourth Synoptic Gospel

John's Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Mark Goodacre

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English

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
16 September 2025

Religion & beliefs; Christianity; New Testaments; Christian theology; Christian leaders & leadership

A bold reassessment of John's Gospel and its relationship to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Generations ago in biblical studies, it was taken for granted that John wrote with full knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But this consensus was overturned in the 1930s and since then, there has been no agreement on the issue. Today many scholars view the problem as unsolvable or impossibly complex. Mark Goodacre, however, takes a different view. In his galvanizing new book, Goodacre synthesizes long-neglected data with newer perspectives to make a strong case for John's familiarity with all three Synoptic Gospels.

Writing in a clear and accessible style, Goodacre takes a systematic, step by step approach to showing that John knew and used the narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Goodacre identifies key points of agreement that range from diagnostic shards to shared structures. He also analyzes key differences; in his telling, John dramatically transforms the Synoptics and develops their Christology while adding a beloved disciple of Jesus, who is himself a Synoptic character. To make his argument accessible to a broad audience, Goodacre minimizes the use of scholarly citations and translates all Greek words. Just as importantly, he illustrates his claims with clear, simple charts so that readers can see for themselves the evidence that John knew and used the Synoptics.

The Fourth Synoptic Gospel is sure to spark lively discussions among biblical scholars. Given that John's relationship to the Synoptics is a fundamental issue in New Testament studies, Goodacre's book is also a must read for students and professors alike.

By: Mark Goodacre
Imprint: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ISBN: 9780802875136
ISBN 10: 0802875130
Pages: 205
Publication Date: 16 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Mark Goodacre is professor of religious studies at Duke University. He specializes in New Testament and Christian origins, and his research interests include the Gospels and the historical Jesus. He is the author of The Case Against Q: Studies in Markan Priority and the Synoptic Problem and Thomas and the Gospels: The Case for Thomas's Familiarity with the Synoptics.

Reviews for The Fourth Synoptic Gospel: John's Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

""Whether challenging the existence of Q or demonstrating the Gospel of Thomas's familiarity with the Synoptics, Mark Goodacre's analysis of well-worn academic positions is characteristically brilliant and regularly results in a significant challenge to the critical consensus. His present book, The Fourth Synoptic Gospel, is no different. Here Goodacre convincingly demonstrates John's knowledge of all three Synoptics in a clear and accessible way. This book will change the field! I cannot recommend it highly enough."" --Christopher W. Skinner, Loyola University Chicago ""Generations of scholars have struggled to comprehend the relationship between John and the Synoptics. Goodacre's masterful reexamination will likely solidify a new consensus. Yes, John knew and used the written Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John also creatively transformed them and should thus be read as the fourth Synoptic Gospel."" --James W. Barker, Western Kentucky University ""The relationship of John to the Synoptics is an important issue because it directly affects why John includes what it does and is worded as it is. Mark Goodacre takes this complicated subject and approaches it in ways that are clear and straightforward. And his copious examples are insightful and eye-opening. It would be hard to view the fourth Gospel the same way again after reading this book."" --Jeff Cate, California Baptist University