The Griesbach Hypothesis in the 19Th Century

Recent study of the history of the Synoptic Problem has suggested that, in the 19th century, the theory of Marcan priority was adopted, and the Griesbach hypothesis rejected, as part of an attempt to counter the historical scepticism of D.F.Strauss and others in the 'Tübingen school', and to restore the historical reliability of the gospel account. This article examines this question, and suggests that, in fact, the Griesbach hypothesis was considered, and rejected, quite independently of any associations with the Tübingen school. A brief survey of some of the arguments which were brought against the Griesbach hypothesis suggests that what is lacking is a set of convincing reasons for Mark's having proceeded in the way which the Griesbach hypothesis alleges he did.