Papias May Have Known All 4 Gospels
Some scholars challenge the early dating and traditional authorship of the Gospels. They argue that Papias, as recorded by Eusebius, only mentions the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, but not Luke or John. This is presented as evidence that Papias might not have been aware of the latter two Gospels, casting doubt on their early dating and authorship.
However, this argument isn't entirely accurate. Further writings reveal more about Papias' knowledge. In "Ecclesiastical History 3.24.5-13", Eusebius shares details that bear striking similarities to Papias' description of the origins of Matthew and Mark in "3.39.15". Eusebius wording strongly suggests that the origins of both Matthew and John's Gospels come from a singular source. Although he doesn't explicitly name this source, the similarities and shared themes between the accounts make a compelling case for Papias of Hierapolis being that source (Hill2004-fe.). The consistent elements across these accounts further solidify the belief that Eusebius' reference in 3.24.5-13 is rooted in Papias' tradition about the Fourth Gospel.
One might wonder why Eusebius didn't explicitly name Papias as the source, given the evident similarities. It's worth noting that Eusebius held theological views that differed from those of Papias. Eusebius often aimed to downplay or distance Papias from John, which could explain the omission of direct credit to Papias.
Clement Of Alexandria
On The Gospels Origins
Eusebius Of Casarea's Church History Book 3 records that Clement Of Alexandria is confident in the authorship of the Gospels and even gives us the order he believed them to have been written.
“The Gospels containing the genealogies [i.e. Matthew [Matthew The Apostle] and Luke [Luke The Apostle], he says, were written first. The Gospel according to Mark [Mark The Apostle] had this occasion. As Peter [Peter The Apostle] had preached the Word publicly at Rome and declared the Gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had followed him for a long time and remembered his sayings, should write them out. And having composed the Gospel he gave it to those who had requested it. When Peter learned of this, he neither directly forbade nor encouraged it. But, last of all, John [John The Apostle], perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the Gospel, being urged by his friends, and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual Gospel.” This is the account of Clement.
Clement confidently states that Matthew and Luke were written first, followed by Mark, who was inspired by Peter's words, and lastly, John at the compelling of his friends. Showing us that even by the late second century/early 3rd century, the church still thought that the Gospels were written by first-hand and second-hand accounts.
Irenaeus Of France
On Luke's Gospel
Another sample from the work Against Heresies that shows Irenaeus Of France was referring to the story of Zacharias in Luke 1: 22
Now the Gospels, in which Christ is enthroned, are like these…That according to Luke, as having a priestly character, began with the priest Zacharias offering incense to God. For the fatted calf was already being prepared which was to be sacrificed for the finding of the younger son.
For Irenaeus Of France to be able to quote the Gospel of Luke, the book had to have already been written and circulated before the second-century.
On The Gospels Origins
In Irenaeus Of France Against Heresies (Written around 180 A.D.) he argues the early disciples preached one God and his plan salvation through Jesus Christ as foretold in the prophets
Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter. Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him. Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.
These have all declared to us that there is one God, Creator of heaven and earth, announced by the law and the prophets; and one Christ the Son of God. If any one do not agree to these truths, he despises the companions of the Lord; nay more, he despises Christ Himself the Lord; yea, he despises the Father also, and stands self-condemned, resisting and opposing his own salvation, as is the case with all heretics.
This written record of Matthews's Hebrew account in Against Heresies (180 A.D.) is one of the first historical records to mention a copy in Hebrew. The tradition continues that Peter had Mark write his gospel and Luke wrote down Paul's words as well. Finally, Irenaeus states that John was the last gospel written by the disciple himself.
Justin Martyr
On The Gospels Origins
In Justin Martyr's work The Dialogue with Trypho, he makes mention on the Gospels and their composition:
...Memoirs which I say were drawn up by [Jesus'] apostles and those that followed him.
A close look at his wording shows us that at least two apostles and at least two followers of these apostles had to have written the Gospels. This lines up with what we have today, two apostles - Matthew and John, and two of their followers - Mark and Luke.
Origen
On The Gospels Origins
Eusebius Of Casarea The History Of The Church contains the recordings of Origen, an early Christian scholar, they are as follows:
In his first book on Matthew's Gospel, maintaining the Canon of the Church, he testifies that he knows only four Gospels, writing as follows:
Among the four Gospels, which are the only indisputable ones in the Church of God under heaven, I have learned by tradition that the first was written by Matthew, who was once a publican, but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ, and it was prepared for the converts from Judaism, and published in the Hebrew language. The second is by Mark, who composed it according to the instructions of Peter, who in his Catholic epistle acknowledges him as a son, saying, 'The church that is at Babylon elected together with you, salutes you, and so does Marcus my son.' (1 Peter 5:13) And the third by Luke, the Gospel commended by Paul and composed for Gentile converts. Last of all that by John.
Origen taught that there are only four Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, written by Matthew the Apostle, Mark the Disciple, Luke the Apostle and John the Apostle respectively. The Gospels were written for the converts from Judaism and Gentiles.
Tertullian
On The Gospels Origins
In Adversus Marcionem Book 4 Tertullian argues that the Church has the true Gospel that they know to be from Matthew The Apostle, Mark The Apostle, Luke The Apostle, and John The Apostle while he pursues his argument that Marcionem has edited Luke and has presented a false Gospel
"...The same authority of the apostolic churches will afford evidence to the other Gospels also, which we possess equally through their means and according to their usage----I mean the Gospels of John and Matthew----whilst that which Mark published may be affirmed to be Peter's whose interpreter Mark was. For even Luke's form of the Gospel men usually ascribe to Paul . And it may well seem that the works which disciples publish belong to their masters. "
Based on Tertullian account of traditions, this shows that even up to the late 3rd century the Church was still confident in the Gospels and the message of salvation contained within them.