A Modification of Honoré’S Triple-Link Model in the Synoptic Problem

Abstract

Summary. In New Testament studies, the synoptic problem is concerned with the relationships between the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In an earlier paper a careful specification in probabilistic terms was set up of Honoré’s triple‐link model. In the present paper, a modification of Honoré’s model is proposed. As previously, counts of the numbers of verbal agreements between the gospels are examined to investigate which of the possible triple‐link models appears to give the best fit to the data, but now using the modified version of the model and additional sets of data.

The Synoptic Problem: On Matthew’s and Luke’s use of Mark

“…We may first note the results of Abakuks (2006a) and(2007) that in the simple models assumed there the first of these alternatives gives a somewhat better fit to the data. A time series analysis based on the ideas of the present paper would require the construction of a more complex database where the use of two gospels by the author of a third could be investigated.…”

“…In the earlier work, as emphasized in Abakuks (2007), the results of the analysis of the triple-link model were presented with no formal indication of their statistical significance. A major problem in attempting to develop any statistical methodology is that the individual words in the text cannot even remotely be regarded as behaving independently of each other.…”

“…As in the earlier work of Abakuks (2006aAbakuks ( , 2007, the statistical analysis here will be based upon observation of verbal agreements between the synoptic gospels, that is, of common occurrences of the same Greek word in the same context and in the same grammatical form. In the earlier work, as emphasized in Abakuks (2007), the results of the analysis of the triple-link model were presented with no formal indication of their statistical significance.…”

“…In the present paper we shall use data based upon Farmer's Synopticon and consequently follow his evaluations of verbal agreements. The experience in Abakuks (2007) of comparing the results of the analysis of the triple-link model using two different data sets of verbal agreements, those of Honoré (1968) and Tyson and Longstaff (1978), suggests that, if an alternative evaluation of verbal agreements were used, the overall conclusions here too would not be seriously affected.…”

“…The Gospel of John is not included, as it is very different in style and in the detail of its content. In Abakuks (2006aAbakuks ( , 2007 versions of the triple-link model in the synoptic problem were examined, building on aspects of the statistical analysis of Honoré (1968). According to the triple-link model, Gospel A was written first, Gospel B was written second and used Gospel A as a source, and Gospel C was written third and used both Gospel A and Gospel B as sources, where A, B, C is any permutation of Mt, Mk, Lk.…”