| 9. Linguistic Exegesis Step-by-step, the Greek particle ei {Εἴ | Eí} ‘if’ sets up a simple condition that assumes the possibility of fulfillment. The indefinite pronoun tis {τις | tís} ‘anyone’ universalizes the address and keeps it open-ended. The verb ekhei {ἔχει | ékhei} ‘has’ presents a present-state possession, indicating an ongoing capacity. The singular noun ous {οὖς | oûs} ‘ear’ emphasizes personal, individual receptivity rather than a collective audience. The aorist imperative akousato {ἀκουσάτω | akousátō} ‘let him hear’ functions as a decisive command, calling for a definite, effective act of listening that implies obedience. The word order moves from the conditional clause to the main imperative clause, creating a rhetorical structure where the stated capacity (“has an ear”) leads directly to the demanded response (“let him hear”), highlighting responsibility to respond to revelation. |