To understand the synoptic gospels of the New Testament, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of what synoptic means. Synoptic is defined as viewing or defining something in a similar way using various points of view or sources. The Synoptic Gospels are the first three gospels of the New Testament: Mark, Matthew, and Luke. These gospels are considered synoptic due to the large amount of material shared between the three books that is very similar and in some cases nearly identical. If you were to place the verses in each book regarding certain events side by side, you would notice that much of the phrase and explanation in one book mirrors the phrase and explanation in the other two books. While this may increase the validity of the story told through these gospels, it also raises questions as to whether or not these gospels are authentic views or simply simple copies of each other or another separate work. Further complicating the matter is the fact that, although much of the information is identical in nature, there are many striking differences in the information between the three gospels leading to the question of which account has the correct historical interpretation of what happened, emphasizing the true nature and the content of Jesus' teachings and provides an accurate discernment of what is yet to come. The study of these similarities and differences within these gospels is an attempt to find a solution to what is called the Synoptic Problem. SOURCE CRITIQUE AND THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM When evaluating the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, many scholars use a variety of methods of analysis and criticism to help explain the synoptic problem. Among these methods, one of the most useful is the criticism of the sources....... middle of the paper ......and synoptic gospels. By taking these differences into account in small details, the story of Jesus was made relatable to a wider range of people. The similarities between the gospels allow for the preservation of the broader concepts presented by the story of Jesus, promoting an overall understanding that would be the same regardless of the perspective from which it was viewed. OTHER FORMS OF CRITIQUE AND THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The analysis of the synoptic problem can be seen by many other means. One method might be to view the Gospels through the tools of literary criticism. This type of detailed study is based on reviewing an entire work and understanding what the main themes of the text are. It also involves the search for clues or phrases that indicate what an author's intention is to arouse a particular reaction to the reading of his work (Harris 119).