| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with kai {καὶ | kaí} ‘and’, linking this assurance to the preceding vision. The future verb exaleipsei {ἐξαλείψει | exa-leíp-sei} ‘will wipe away’ portrays a decisive eschatological act, with the direct object pan dakryon {πᾶν δάκρυον | pân dá-kru-on} ‘every tear’ emphasizing comprehensive sorrow’s removal. The personified ho thanatos {ὁ θάνατος | ho thá-na-tos} ‘death’ is negated by ouk estai eti {οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι | ouk é-stai é-ti} ‘will no longer exist’, and the coordinated list introduced by oute {οὔτε | ou-te} ‘nor’—penthos {πένθος | pén-thos} ‘mourning’, kraugē {κραυγὴ | krau-gḗ} ‘outcry’, ponos {πόνος | pó-nos} ‘pain’—intensifies the absolute cessation of suffering. Finally, the aorist apēlthan {ἀπῆλθαν | ap-êl-than} ‘have passed away’ governs the accusative substantive ta prōta {τὰ πρῶτα | ta prô-ta} ‘the former things’, providing the basis for the promised eradication of grief. |