Bishop Thirlwall’s Schleiermacher contains the following in regard to the composition of Luke: “The main position is firmly established that Luke is neither an independent writer, nor has made a compilation from works which extended over the whole course of the life of Jesus. He is from beginning to end no more than the compiler and arranger of documents which he found in existence, and which he allows to pass unaltered through his hands” (p. 313).
The immediate source of Luke’s Gospel was undoubtedly the Gospel of Marcion, itself a compilation of older documents. Referring to this Gospel, the Rev. S. Baring-Gould says: “The arrangement is so similar that we are forced to the conclusion that it was either used by St. Luke or that it was his original composition. If he used it, then his right to the title of author of the Third Gospel falls to the ground, as what he added was of small amount” (Lost and Hostile Gospels).
The Synoptics.
The Synoptics Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it is claimed, are original and independent compositions, and the oldest of all the Gospels, both canonical and apocryphal. This claim is disproved by the form and character of their contents. One of two things is certain: either these writers copied from each other, or all copied from older documents. The following, which are but a few of the many passages that might be adduced, afford unmistakable evidence of this:
Matthew—“They were astonished at his doctrine” (xxii, 33).
Mark—“They were astonished at his doctrine” (i, 22).
Luke—“They were astonished at his doctrine” (iv, 32).
Matthew—“For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (vii, 29).