Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 82:328 (Oct 1925)
Article: The Synoptic Problem
Author: J. F. Springer

BSac 82:327 (July 1925) p. 472

The Synoptic Problem

J. F. Springer

IX

When we assume the direct derivation of Matthew from Mark, it is desirable to know with some particularity the amount and character of the omissions, the Matthaean compiler must be conceived as having made from the mass of material before him. We have already noted that he must have rejected about 30 per cent, of what was available to his use, and that within this heavy total of omission must have been included 876 words of the Savior’s discourse, 7 whole incidents, and a numerous array of small notices.1 I make some additions to the last—two geographical (3:7–8; 5:20) and eight personal (3:6; 4:10; 6:15; 7:3–4; 11:11, 18; 14:1; 15:1) items, and thus bring the total up to 67. The tabular statement, Bibliotheca Sacra, July, 1925, p. 349, as now revised, is as follows:

Small Notices

(Present in Mark, Absent from Matthew)

Number of Notices

Geographical....................................................................................... 7

Numerical ..........................................................................................12

Personal...............................................................................................17

Descriptive .......................................................................................... 3

Chronological and circumstantial..........................................................28

Total ...................................................................................................67

It is desirable to call attention to the fact that the foregoing 67 short notices by no means constitute an exhaustive list of such items. As a matter of fact, the 3,579 words found in Mark but not in Matthew represent an

BSac 82:327 (July 1925) p. 473

aggregate largely made up of small passages.2 The 67 may be regarded as representative of rather notable facts which it is more or less difficult to class as omissions made by a Matthaean compiler, but which are read...