In 1963 Robert L. Lindsey proposed a theory of Lukan priority. He argued that Luke was written first and was used by Mark, who in turn was used by Matthew who did not know Luke’s Gospel. This theory postulates two non-canonical documents that were unknown to the synoptists: a Hebrew biography of Yeshua and a quite literal Greek translation of that original. Lindsey’s hypothesis not only emphasizes the priority of Luke and/or Matthew when using their shared source, it draws particular attention to the Hebraic nature of the Greek texts of the Synoptic Gospels and the importance of translating those texts into Hebrew when evaluating them. A recognition of the importance of Hebrew in understanding the Gospels is a new contribution to grappling with the synoptic problem.

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