two-source hypothesis

The two-source hypothesis is a theory in biblical studies that attempts to explain the literary relationship between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, collectively known as the Synoptic Gospels. This hypothesis suggests that the authors of Matthew and Luke both drew from the Gospel of Mark as a primary source for narrative material and chronological structure.12

Additionally, Matthew and Luke are believed to have independently used a second, now-lost source, referred to as "Q" (from the German word Quelle, meaning "source"). This hypothetical source is thought to contain sayings of Jesus that are found in both Matthew and Luke but not in Mark. The theory posits that Mark and Q are the main sources for Matthew and Luke, with each also containing unique material from other potential sources.23