syn·op·tic / səˈnäptik/ • adj. 1. of or forming a general summary or synopsis: a synoptic outline of the contents. ∎  taking or involving a comprehensive mental view: a synoptic model of higher education.2. of or relating to the Synoptic Gospels.• n. (Synoptics) the Synoptic Gospels.DERIVATIVES: syn·op·ti·cal adj.syn·op·ti·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

synoptic Synoptic Gospels the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which give an account of the events from a similar point of view, as contrasted with that of John.
Synoptic problem the question of the relationship between these Gospels. The general view is that Mark is the earlier text and that Matthew and Luke draw on it; it is widely thought that they also had access to a hypothetical source (Q), from which comes the material which is not in Mark. An alternative explanation is that Luke's Gospel was written from a knowledge of both Mark and Matthew.