Commentators have not paid much attention to this device. It is obvious that Jesus is the protagonist in Matthew’s narrative. What has gone largely unnoted is that authors will frequently take special care with their protagonist’s first words and last words. The initial revelation of the protagonist’s mind manipulates the readers’ expectations and prepares them for the ensuing narrative. And authors take pains in the formulation of final words, because last words do more than summarize. They confirm
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