Incoherence in the Text of Q: An Investigation on Q Discourse Markers and Boundaries

Abstract

In critical scholarship, Q, a compilation of verses from Luke and Matthew, is considered to be the earliest document of the gospels. This article assesses the notion of such a document by analyzing its coherence. This is done through the study of discourse markers and boundaries of the Greek text of the Critical Edition of Q with the aim to detect possible areas of incoherence. This study continues the debate on the reality of Q since arguing for Q presupposes the existence of a coherent text. After presenting the nature, characteristics, extent, and problems of Q, an analysis of the information structure of Q was conducted. The study shows that there is coherence in the lower levels of discourse while there is some level of incoherence at higher levels. While such a finding in itself is not an explanation for the non-existence of Q, it is an indicator that the redactors of the Q text constructed a text that is not fully coherent.