Papias of Hierapolis, Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord (in Eusebius HE 3.39)c. AD 110 · [Sub-Apostolic Testimony]
Excerpt or editorial summary: Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ... Matthew put together the oracles [logia] in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could.
Critical Analysis: Papias is an early reception report preserved by Eusebius; it records composition traditions but is not direct evidence for modern source hypotheses.
Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus Haereses 3.1.1c. AD 180 · [Ante-Nicene Patristic]
Excerpt or editorial summary: 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.
Critical Analysis: Irenaeus lists traditions about Gospel composition; this paragraph should not be made to establish every question about the fourfold canon or literary dependence.
Augustine of Hippo, De Consensu Evangelistarum (Harmony of the Gospels) 1.2c. AD 400 · [Classical Patristic Hermeneutics]
Excerpt or editorial summary: Mark follows Matthew closely, and looks like his attendant and abbreviator (pedissequus et breviator).
Critical Analysis: Augustine represents a historically influential Matthean-priority model; modern scholarship generally favors Markan priority while continuing to debate competing models.