Fresh research, advancing further the work of numerous scholars
over a great many decades, points convincingly to a new basis for
explaining the Synoptic Problem: the Gospel of Matthew was
published in stages.
Scholars have long debated the Synoptic Problem--questions about
why and how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke share so much
common material, and yet differ in so many ways.
Assessing all the primary evidence, and the widely differing
scholarly views about the Synoptic Problem, B. Ward Powers
draws attention to the evidence pointing to Matthew's Gospel having
been published progressively, with identifiable sections of his
material then being seen and utilized by Luke. After both of these
Gospels had been published in their current form, they together
with the preaching of the Apostle Peter were the three sources used
by Mark in producing a special-purpose Gospel for preachers and
evangelists.
The Progressive Publication of Matthew fleshes out this
proposal, measuring it in detail against other
hypotheses. This book also sets out a clarification of the
reason and purpose of Mark's Gospel, and a comprehensive
explanation of pericope order in all three Synoptics.
Endorsement
"The Progressive Publication of Matthew is a tour de force
both in its scope and depth. No serious student of the synoptic
Gospels can afford to ignore it."
David Alan Black
Professor of New Testament and Greek, Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary
Author of Why Four Gospels?