I am intrigued by the dream motif surrounding some of the major actions of the birth and death of Jesus used by the authors of Matthew. Joseph, the dreamer, of course, has several dreams throughout the birth narrative that guide his actions with Mary, 1:20, and his journeys after the birth of Jesus, 2:13 and 19. The wise men heed the warning of a apparent community dream, 2:12, and they silently leave the territory ruled by Herod. Pilot's wife also has a dream, 27:19, concerning the innocent prisoner, Jesus, whom her husband is about to condemn to death. These dreams almost seem to frame the life of Jesus. I'm confused as to why the authors would use dreams this way. Was it to mystify the entry and exit of the Messiah from this plane of existence? Or was it simply a way to smooth out the plot for the characters' actions? I was wondering if there are publications, official or otherwise, that have explored this use of