Christians consider the Gospels to be their most important books. Professor Barclay summarizes all the most important points raised in a century of study and discussion of Mark, Matthew, and Luke. This study of the New Testament is particularly conservative. Mark's pattern, while not a detailed timeline for Jesus' biography, is reasonable, and Matthew and Luke add their own touches to a generally reliable portrait of the historical Jesus. But within this fidelity to the facts are numerous minor differences and developments, arising from the specific circumstances of the Christian communities in which these three Gospels were written. In tracing the origins of the Synoptic Gospels and in examining the stories and sayings of Jesus, Professor Barclay employs meticulous literary and form criticism. He meticulously documents his study, yet he writes in a way that will captivate the lay reader. This book provides a comprehensive discussion of Matthean priority or Markan calendar theory. In addition to writing what is technically known as an Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels, the author also attempts to address the crucial question of historicity. He hopes that students will find this book helpful, that preachers, and all those involved in biblical studies will find it useful in presenting the Gospels. and that laypeople will find this book useful. This book will enable anyone to understand the Gospels a little better, and thus gain a clearer understanding of Jesus himself.