| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The verse consists of two parallel rhetorical questions introduced by the negated formula ouk exestin {οὐκ ἔξεστίν | oûk éx-es-tin} “is it not permitted,” asserting the speaker’s unquestioned authority. The dative moi {μοι | moi} marks the one entitled to act. A relative clause ho thelo poiesai {ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι | ho thé-lō poi-ê-sai} emphasizes the speaker’s volition, with the infinitive poiesai governed by exestin to underscore sovereign freedom. The phrase en tois emois {ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς | en toîs emoîs} defines the sphere of action as the speaker’s own possessions. The conjunction e {ἢ | ê} introduces contrast: the idiom ho ophthalmos sou poneros estin {ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν | ho oph-thal-mós sou po-nē-rós es-tin} “is your eye evil” conveys envy. The causal clause hoti ego agathos eimi {ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι | hó-ti eg-ō a-ga-thós ei-mi} attributes resentment to the speaker’s goodness. This parallelism highlights the rightful exercise of authority versus misplaced jealousy. |