| 38. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the predicate adjective gnōston {γνωστόν | gnōstón} ‘known’ placed first for emphasis, followed by the imperative verb estō {ἔστω | éstō} ‘let it be’ forming an impersonal exhortation. The dative hymin {ὑμῖν | hūmîn} ‘to you’ specifies the beneficiaries, while the vocative pair andres adelphoi {ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί | ándres adelphoí} ‘men, brothers’ reinforces personal address. The content clause introduced by hoti {ὅτι | hóti} ‘that’ carries the central proclamation: dia toutou {διὰ τούτου | diá toútou} ‘through this one’ uses a genitive with dia to mark the mediating agent. Repetition of the dative hymin underscores that the audience directly benefits. The nominative aphesis hamartiōn {ἄφεσις ἁμαρτιῶν | áphesis hamartiōn} ‘forgiveness of sins’ functions as the subject, with the present passive verb katangellētai {καταγγέλλεται | katangéllētai} ‘is proclaimed’ employing a divine passive that implies God as the agent. This structure highlights the public declaration of divine forgiveness through Christ’s agency. |