How Can the Gospels Be Reliable If They Are Interdependent

The interdependence of the Gospels does not inherently make them unreliable; rather, it is often seen by scholars as evidence of the authors' diligent use and respect for available sources, including earlier written account, oral tradition, and eyewitness testimony. Far from being an attempt to deceive, this practice aligns with the historical methods of ancient biographers.

 
Key arguments for the Gospels' reliability despite interdependence include:

Standard Ancient Practice: 

In the ancient world, it was standard practice for authors and biographers to utilize existing written and oral sources without modern-style footnotes or quotation marks. The Gospel writers were following the literary conventions of their time. Oral traditions were a primary means of transmitting stories and information for centuries before and alongside written texts. Authors like Herodotus and Thucydides explicitly mention traveling and interviewing local sources or eyewitnesses, ala Luke.

Focus on Information: 

The overlap demonstrates that the authors were interested in reporting information, and they believed their sources (like Mark and the hypothetical "Q" source, which many scholars believe contained Jesus' sayings) were information-based and trustworthy.

Independent Access and Unique Material: 

If Matthew and Luke used Mark and other common sources, each Gospel also contains significant material unique to its author, suggesting they had access to independent sources and eyewitness accounts. 

• Matthew - unique stories:

1. The visit of the Magi (the "Three Wise Men").
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Talents.
4. The account of the temple tax being paid with a fish's mouth coin.

• Mark - unique stories:

1. the mention of a young man who flees naked when Jesus is arrested (Mark 14:51-52)

• Luke - unique stories:

1. The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
2. The Parable of the Prodigal Son.
3. The birth narrative from Mary's perspective, including the Magnificat and the visit of the shepherds.
4. Stories like the healing of the ten lepers. 
5. The encounter with the tax collector, Zacchaeus.

• John - unique stories:

1. The prologue about the Word (Logos) who became flesh.
2. Several extended discourses and private conversations of Jesus, rather than short parables.
3. Specific miracles (often called "signs") such as turning water into wine and the raising of Lazarus.

Eyewitness Vetting: 

The Gospels were written early enough (within living memory of the events) that eyewitnesses were still alive and could have vetted or disputed the accounts. See The Early Dating of the New Testament.

Complementary Perspectives: 

The different Gospels were written for different audiences with specific emphases. Their minor differences in circumstantial details are seen as complementary perspectives that provide a richer, more complete picture of Jesus' life, similar to how multiple biographies of one person today would each highlight different aspects.

• Matthew: Written for a Jewish audience, it emphasizes Jesus as the promised Messiah, connecting his life and teachings to Old Testament prophecies.
• Mark: Primarily for a Gentile (Roman) audience, it presents a fast-paced account that highlights Jesus's powerful deeds and action, portraying him as a servant.
• Luke: Written for a Greek-speaking audience, it focuses on Jesus's perfect humanity and compassion for all people, including the weak, suffering, and outcasts.
• John: Written for a more universal audience, it emphasizes Jesus's divine nature and eternal existence, using "signs" to prove he is the Son of God.

Undesigned Coincidences: 

Some scholars point to "undesigned coincidences" (subtle details in one Gospel that unexpectedly fit with a detail in another without seeming planned) as evidence that the accounts are rooted in real events and not a coordinated fabrication. See Undesigned Coincidences Between Gospels

In essence, the shared material points to a common core of information and tradition, while the differences indicate independent authorial control and additional, distinct sources