But this period of turning upside down [in other words, all modern Biblical scholarship] is at an end. It has no interest to me. For readers who cannot study the question I may mention some facts which put in jeopardy the whole era from Reimarus to Wrede in its quest for an historical Jesus 'behind' our source material. They form a road-clock now against the reductionists. We shall never know an 'historical' Jesus 'behind' so-called 'material.'

1. John writes as an eye-witness who knows the minutest details when he cares to mention them. The apostle is the author of the Gospel. Therefore it carries authority.

2. All four Gospels are apostolic. Matthew was the converted publican, and he wrote under James' (John's brother's) eyes in Jerusalem before AD 42. Mark obeyed Peter. Luke lived with Paul. John dictated to a Greek secretary.

...

rosenstock-heussy, fruit of lips, p.11

or, as i prefer to put the same idea, 'frankly, modern scholarship, i don't give a d***.'