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). Mark--"For he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes" (i, 22). Matthew--"While he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude, with swords and staves, from the chief priests," etc. (xxvi, 47). Mark--"While he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests," etc. (xiv, 43). Matthew--"And without a parable spake he not unto them" (xiii, 34). Mark--"But without a parable spake he not unto them" (iv, 34). Matthew--"Sought opportunity to betray him" (xxvi, 16). Luke--"Sought opportunity to betray him" (xxii, 6). Mark--"But they understood not that saying" (ix, 32). Luke--"But they understood not this saying" (ix, 45). The theory that the Synoptics borrowed from each other will account for the agreements in their books; but it will not account for the disagreements, and these are quite as numerous as the agreements. The following hypothesis, however, will account for both. When the Synoptics were composed probably fifty gospels, some of recent and others of early origin, were already in existence. In addition to these were a hundred other documents pertaining to Christ and his teachings. From this mass of Gospel literature the Synoptics were compiled. Those portions that agree were taken from a common source; those that do not agree were taken from different documents.