his words, even when he prophesies events outside the narrative of the Gospel (e.g., 13:4–37; 14:62). The omniscient perspective of the author is authenticated by divine utterances: “and a voice came out of the heavens, ‘You are my son the beloved; in you I am delighted’ ” (1:11; cf. 9:7). God’s presence behind events is often indicated by the use of the divine passive: “Child, your sins are forgiven [by God]” (2:5); “You seek Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified; he has been raised [by God]; he