The timing of Gospel writing corresponds to the last generation of living eyewitnesses

Bauckham notes that the period Papias collected traditions was "virtually the last time such collecting would be worth doing" — and this is also when the Gospels of Matthew and John were being written (approximately 80-90 AD). The Gospels were written precisely when eyewitness guarantors were passing away, to preserve their testimony permanently. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are internally consistent with each other, confirming they preserve the same authentic tradition rather than divergent mythological developments.