Final answer:
Scholars determine the sources of the Synoptic Gospels by analyzing factors like language, writing style, and content. They use the Two-Source Hypothesis to identify common sources Mark and the hypothetical document Q. The similarities and differences between the Gospels help scholars identify possible relationships and sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the sources that contribute to each of the Synoptic Gospels, scholars consider various factors such as language, writing style, content, and historical context. They analyze similarities and differences between the Gospels to identify possible relationships and sources. One approach that scholars use is called the Two-Source Hypothesis, which suggests that Matthew and Luke used two common sources, Mark and the hypothetical document called Q, along with their own unique sources.
For example, scholars have found that Mark's Gospel served as a source for both Matthew and Luke. This is evident through the verbatim agreements and Markan priority, where Matthew and Luke follow Mark's narrative sequence. Additionally, scholars believe that Matthew and Luke used a hypothetical source called Q, which contained sayings of Jesus. They identify Q by analyzing the similarities in content and wording between Matthew and Luke's Gospel that cannot be traced back to Mark.
By comparing the Gospels and considering factors like language, writing style, and content, scholars can hypothesize about the sources used by the Gospel writers and gain insights into the composition of the Synoptic Gospels.