L/M hypothesis, Farrer–Goulder hypothesis, Farrer–Goulder–Goodacre hypothesis | |
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Theory Information | |
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Order | Marcan Priority Matt Luke |
Additional Sources | No additional sources |
Gospels' Sources | |
Matthew | Mark |
Luke | Matt, Mark |
Theory History | |
Originator | Austin Farrer |
Originating Work | On Dispensing with Q |
Origination Date | 1955 |
Proponents | Michael Goulder Mark Goodacre |
Opponents | B. H. Streeter |
The Farrer hypothesis (also called the L/M hypothesis, the Farrer–Goulder hypothesis and the Farrer–Goulder–Goodacre hypothesis) is a possible solution to the synoptic problem. The theory is that the Gospel of Mark was written first, followed by the Gospel of Matthew and then by the Gospel of Luke, with Matthew and Luke using the earlier gospel(s) as sources.
It has mainly been advocated by English biblical scholars. It is named for Austin Farrer, who wrote On Dispensing With Q in 1955,[1] but it has been picked up by other scholars including Michael Goulder and Mark Goodacre.