This study addresses two critical questions. First, whether or not the sayings document Q exists, and second, whether or not it is easier to explain the origin of the Synoptic Gospels based solely on a literary relationship amongst the three, without reference to any lost sources or outside documents. This study further has implications for the nature of earliest Christianity, as Q is often thought to be a window into a pre-gospel Judaic Christian community that putatively existed in Galilee, who likely developed its theology prior to St. Paul the Apostle. In addition, if Q can be shown not to exist, there are implications as to the dates of both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, with a re-dating of the gospels potentially under consideration. Similarly, this study may have implications for the study of the historical Jesus of Nazareth, as Mark and Q are often appealed to as two independent sources for Jesus’ sayings and teachings
