| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the conjunction de {δὲ | dè} linking the son’s declaration to the preceding parable, followed by the aorist verb eipen {εἶπεν | eî-pen} with the nominative subject ho huios {ὁ υἱὸς | ho hu-i-ós} “the son,” establishing the central action. The dative autō {αὐτῷ | au-tô} “to him” marks the indirect object, while the vocative pater {Πάτερ | pá-ter} “Father” frames a direct appeal. The confession hēmarton {ἥμαρτον | hḗ-mar-ton} “I have sinned” is an aorist assertion of past wrongdoing, specified by eis ton ouranon {εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν | eis tὸn ou-ra-nón} “against heaven,” highlighting the heavenly realm as the offended party. The subsequent phrase enōpion sou {ἐνώπιόν σου | en-ō-pi-ón sou} “before you” uses the genitive to stress personal accountability. The adverb ouketi {οὐκέτι | ou-ké-ti} “no longer” modifies the present eimi {εἰμὶ | eî-mi} “I am,” negating the son’s current status. The adjective axios {ἄξιος | áx-i-os} “worthy” is complemented by the aorist passive infinitive klēthēnai {κληθῆναι | klē-thê-nai} “to be called,” with huios sou {υἱός σου | hu-i-ós sou} “your son” as the object, underscoring the loss of filial standing. |