“... First, we should consider the imagery on the surface. The logic of it is: an old man needs to ask a baby because the baby has only come from the place of life very recently, whereas the old man is a long way away from it in time (and much nearer to death). Although the image has a logic to it, it entails the reversal of the social norm according to which children consult their elders (e.g. Deut. 6); hence, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last (Mk 10.31/ Matt. 19.30; cf. Matt. 20.16/ Lk. 13.30). [...] Notably, old age here is valued negatively, in contrast to the biblical and cultural norm. This is a reflex of the use of the baby as a positive symbol. The old man is a symbol of the person estranged from life, because rather than having just been imbued with new life like the baby, he is in decline and heading for death. [...] The scenario of an old man (the ‘first’) asking advice of a baby (‘the last’) is already a reversal of the norm (e.g. Deut. 6.20: καὶ ἔσται ὅταν ἐρωτήσῃ σε ὁ υἱός σου αὔριον λέγων …) to draw attention to the exceptional nature of the child or true disciple and his knowledge. ...”