Original Word: ἀφίημι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aphiémi
Pronunciation: ah-FEE-ay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (af-ee'-ay-mee)
KJV: cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up
NASB: left, forgive, forgiven, let, leaving, leave, let alone
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and hiemi "to send" (an intensive form of eimi "to go")]
1. to send forth
{in various applications (as follow)}
From apo and hiemi (to send; an intensive form of eimi, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow) -- cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
see GREEK apo
863 aphíēmi (from 575 /apó, "away from" and hiēmi, "send") – properly, send away; release (discharge).
[フレーム]1. to send away;
a. to bid go away or depart: τούς ὄχλους, Matthew 13:36 (others refer this to 3 below); τήν γυναῖκα, of a husband putting away his wife, 1 Corinthians 7:11-13 (Herodotus 5, 39; and a substantive, ἄφεσις, Plutarch, Pomp c. 42, 6).
b. to send forth, yield up, emit: τό πνεῦμα, to expire, Matthew 27:50 (τήν ψυχήν, Genesis 35:18; Herodotus 4, 190 and often in other Greek writings (see πνεῦμα, 2)), φωνήν to utter a cry (emitterevocem, Livy 1, 58), Mark 15:37 (Genesis 45:2 and often in Greek writings; (cf. Heinichen on Eusebius, h. e. 8, 14, 17)).
c. to let go, let alone, let be; α. to disregard: Matthew 15:14. β. to leave, not to discuss now, a topic, used of tethers, writers, speakers, etc.: Hebrews 6:1 (Euripides, Andr. 392; Theophrastus, char. praef. § 3; for other examples from Greek writings see Bleek on Heb. vol. 2:2, p. 144f) (others take the word in Hebrews, the passage cited as expressive of the duty of the readers, rather than the purpose of the writer; and consequently refer the passage to 3 below). γ. to omit, neglect: Matthew 23:23 (Luke 11:42 R G); Mark 7:8; Romans 1:27. δ. to let go, give up, a debt, by not demanding it (opposed to κρατεῖν, John 20:23), i. e. to remit, forgive: τό δάνειον, Matthew 18:27; τήν ὀφειλήν, Matthew 18:32; τά ὀφειλήματα, Matthew 6:12; τά παραπτώματα, Matthew 6:14; Mark 11:25f. (T Tr WH omit Mark 11:26); τάς ἁμαρτίας, τά ἁμαρτήματα, τάς ἀνομίας, Matthew 9:2, 5; Matthew 12:31; Mark 2:5, 7; Mark 3:28; Luke 5:20f, 23; Romans 4:7 (from Psalm 31:1 e. to give up, keep no longer: τήν πρώτην ἀγάπην, Revelation 2:4. 2. to permit, allow, not to hinder; a. followed by a present infinitive (Buttmann, 258 (222)): Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16 ἄφετε ἔρχεσθαι καί μή κωλύετε αὐτά, Matthew 13:30; Mark 1:34; John 11:44; John 18:8. by the aorist infinitive: Matthew 8:22; Matthew 23:13 (14); Mark 5:37; Mark 7:12, 27; Luke 8:51; Luke 9:60; Luke 12:39; Revelation 11:9. b. without an infinitive: Matthew 3:15 (ἄφες ἄρτι permit it just now). with an accusative of the person or thing permitted: Matthew 3:15 τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν, Mark 5:19; Mark 11:6; Mark 14:6; Luke 13:8; John 12:7 R G; c. ἀφίημι τίνι τί, to give up a thing to one: Matthew 5:40 (ἄφες αὐτῷ καί τό ἱμάτιον). d. followed by ἵνα: Mark 11:16; John 12:7 L T Tr WH, a later construction, cf. Winers Grammar, § 44, 8; Buttmann, 238 (205). e. followed by the simple hortative subjunctive: Matthew 7:4; Luke 6:42 (ἄφες ἐκβάλω); Matthew 27:49; Mark 15:36 (ἄφετε ἴδωμεν); Epictetus diss. 1, 9, 15 ἄφες δειξωμεν, 3, 12, 15 ἄφες ἴδω. Cf. Buttmann, 209f (181f); Winer's Grammar, 285 (268). 3. to leave, go away from one; to depart from anyone, a. in order to go to another place: Matthew 22:22; Matthew 26:44; Mark 8:13 (Matthew 16:4 καταλιπών); b. to depart from one whom one wishes to quit: Matthew 4:11; so of diseases departing, ἀφῆκεν τινα ὁ πυρετός, Matthew 8:15; Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39; John 4:52. c. to depart from one and leave him to himself, so that all mutual claims are abandoned: τόν πατέρα, Matthew 4:22; Mark 1:20; Matthew 18:12 (Luke 15:4 καταλείπει). Thus also ἀφιέναι τά ἑαυτοῦ to leave possessions, home, etc.: Matthew 4:20; Matthew 19:27, 29; Mark 1:18; Mark 10:28; Luke 5:11; Luke 18:28f. d. to desert one (wrongfully): Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50; John 10:12. e. to go away leaving something behind: Matthew 5:24; John 4:28. f. to leave one by not taking him as a companion: opposed to παραλαμβάνειν, Matthew 24:40f: Luke 17:34f. g. to leave on dying, leave behind one: τέκνα, γυναῖκα, Matthew 22:25; Mark 12:20, 22 (Luke 20:31 καταλείπω). h. to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining: οὐ μή ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπί λίθον (or λίθῳ), Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6. 1:ἀφιέναι followed by the accusative of a noun or pronoun with an accusative of the predicate (Buttmann, § 144, 18): Luke 10:30 (ἡμιθανῆ); John 14:18 (τινα ὀρθανον); Matthew 23:38; Luke 13:35 (but Lachmann omits ἔρημος in both passages, WH text omits in Matthew, G T Tr WH omit in Luke; that being omitted, ἀφιέναι means to abandon, to leave destitute of God's help); Acts 14:17 (ἀμάρτυρον ἑαυτόν (L T Tr αὐτόν (WH αὑτόν which see))). The verb regularly conveys one of three closely related ideas: (1) forgiving sin or debt, (2) releasing or permitting a person or thing, and (3) leaving or abandoning someone or something. Across the New Testament the Spirit-inspired writers deploy the word to reveal the heart of God, the nature of Christ’s mission, and the practical demands of discipleship. Forgiveness of Sin and Debt 1. Christ’s divine authority to forgive. The first explicit act of Jesus "forgiving" sin appears in Capernaum: "‘Son, your sins are forgiven’" (Mark 2:5). Scribes charge blasphemy, yet the healing that follows proves "the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). Mutual Forgiveness and Community Discipline • Private reconciliation: "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3-4). Releasing, Permitting, Letting Go 1. Physical maladies depart. When Jesus rebukes Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever, "it left her" (Matthew 8:15; Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39). Leaving or Abandoning to Follow Christ • The call of disciples. "They immediately left their nets and followed Him" (Matthew 4:20; Mark 1:18). Prophetic and Eschatological Uses 1. Abandonment of the temple. "Behold, your house is left to you desolate" (Matthew 23:38; Luke 13:35). Old Testament Foundations The Septuagint often uses the verb to translate Hebrew נָשָׂא (lift away guilt), חָטָא (pardon), or שָׁלַח (send away). Day of Atonement imagery (Leviticus 16) and Jubilee release (Leviticus 25) prepare the way for New Testament fulfillment, locating ultimate remission in the Messiah’s substitutionary sacrifice. Theological Significance 1. Divine grace initiates forgiveness; human response must mirror that grace. Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching centers on Christ’s authority to forgive and the call to repent. Summary Throughout Scripture ἀφίημι serves as a multifaceted witness: God forgives sin, Christ releases captives, disciples leave all to follow, and the church both permits and restrains in harmony with heaven. The word therefore undergirds the gospel’s promise, discipleship’s cost, and history’s culmination.
[フレーム]
2. The cross-shaped climax. Hanging between earth and heaven, Jesus prays, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34), anticipating the atonement ratified moments later when "Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and yielded up His spirit" (Matthew 27:50).
3. Apostolic proclamation. After the resurrection Christ commissions: "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven" (John 20:23). Apostles therefore preach repentance "so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19; conceptually parallel).
4. Assurance for believers. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9). John later comforts the flock: "your sins have been forgiven on account of His name" (1 John 2:12).
5. Blasphemy against the Spirit. Six times the verb marks the solemn warning that such sin "will not be forgiven" (e.g., Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10).
6. Prayer and daily life. In the model prayer disciples plead, "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12; cf. Luke 11:4). The promise follows: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).
• Corporate accountability: the unmerciful servant is condemned for refusing to "forgive" a fellow servant a trivial debt (Matthew 18:27-35).
• Binding and loosing: congregational action mirrored in heaven (Matthew 18:18-20) rests on the reality that sins may be either retained or forgiven (John 20:23).
• Pastoral application: "the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven" (James 5:15).
2. Demons silenced and dismissed. "He would not allow the demons to speak" (Mark 1:34; ἤφιεν).
3. Children welcomed. "Allow the little children to come to Me" (Mark 10:14; Matthew 19:14).
4. Practical wisdom. Gamaliel counsels the Sanhedrin, "Leave these men alone" (Acts 5:38).
5. Political strategy. Jewish leaders fear that if they "let Him go on in this way" Rome will remove their place and nation (John 11:48).
6. Personal comfort. Jesus promises, "I will not leave you as orphans" (John 14:18) but later assures, "My peace I leave with you" (John 14:27).
• Radical renunciation. Peter declares, "We have left everything and followed You" (Mark 10:28; Matthew 19:27). Jesus promises manifold reward for all who have "left houses or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My name’s sake" (Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29).
• Mission urgency. Disciples sometimes "leave" the crowd (Mark 4:36), the boat (Mark 1:20), or even their linens (Mark 14:50).
• Apostolic instruction on marriage. If an unbelieving spouse "leaves," the believing partner "is not bound" (1 Corinthians 7:11-15).
• Call to maturity. "Leaving the elementary principles about Christ, let us press on to maturity" (Hebrews 6:1).
2. Destruction of Jerusalem. "Not one stone will be left on another" (Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6).
3. Separation at the Parousia. "Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left" (Matthew 24:40-41; Luke 17:34-36).
4. The lost sheep motif. The shepherd "leaves" the ninety-nine to seek the one that strayed (Matthew 18:12).
2. Forgiveness is judicial (removal of guilt) and relational (restoration of fellowship).
3. Releasing possessions and earthly securities is integral to authentic discipleship.
4. Refusal to forgive contradicts the gospel, invites divine discipline, and endangers assurance.
5. Eschatological "leaving" underscores the final separation between the redeemed and the rebellious.
• Counseling fosters a culture of gracious release—of offenses, bitterness, and worldly encumbrances.
• Leadership practices discipline with a view to restoration, confident that "whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death" (James 5:20).
• Missions encourage believers to "leave" lesser loyalties for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Matthew 3:15 V-PIA-3S
GRK: δικαιοσύνην τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν
NAS: righteousness. Then he permitted Him.
KJV: righteousness. Then he suffered him.
INT: righteousness Then he permits him
Matthew 4:11 V-PIA-3S
GRK: Τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτὸν ὁ
NAS: the devil left Him; and behold,
KJV: Then the devil leaveth him, and,
INT: Then leaves him the
Matthew 4:20 V-APA-NMP
GRK: δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα
NAS: Immediately they left their nets
KJV: they straightway left [their] nets,
INT: moreover immediately having left the nets
Matthew 4:22 V-APA-NMP
GRK: δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὸ πλοῖον
NAS: Immediately they left the boat
KJV: And they immediately left the ship and
INT: moreover immediately having left the boat
Matthew 5:24 V-AMA-2S
GRK: ἄφες ἐκεῖ τὸ
NAS: leave your offering there
KJV: Leave there thy
INT: leave there the
Matthew 5:40 V-AMA-2S
GRK: σου λαβεῖν ἄφες αὐτῷ καὶ
NAS: your shirt, let him have your coat
KJV: let him have [thy] cloke also.
INT: of you take yield to him also
Matthew 6:12 V-AMA-2S
GRK: καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ
NAS: And forgive us our debts, as we also
KJV: And forgive us our
INT: and forgive us the
Matthew 6:12 V-AIA-1S
GRK: καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις
NAS: as we also have forgiven our debtors.
KJV: as we forgive our debtors.
INT: also we forgive the debtors
Matthew 6:14 V-ASA-2P
GRK: Ἐὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις
NAS: For if you forgive others
KJV: For if ye forgive men their
INT: if indeed you forgive men
Matthew 6:14 V-FIA-3S
GRK: παραπτώματα αὐτῶν ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν
NAS: Father will also forgive you.
KJV: Father will also forgive you:
INT: trespasses of them will forgive also you
Matthew 6:15 V-ASA-2P
GRK: δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις
NAS: But if you do not forgive others,
KJV: But if ye forgive not men
INT: moreover not you forgive men
Matthew 6:15 V-FIA-3S
GRK: πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα
NAS: your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
KJV: Father forgive your
INT: Father of you will forgive the trespasses
Matthew 7:4 V-AMA-2S
GRK: ἀδελφῷ σου Ἄφες ἐκβάλω τὸ
NAS: to your brother, 'Let me take
KJV: brother, Let me pull out
INT: brother of you Allow [that] I might cast out the
Matthew 8:15 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτῆς καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὴν ὁ
NAS: and the fever left her; and she got
KJV: and the fever left her: and
INT: of her and left her the
Matthew 8:22 V-AMA-2S
GRK: μοι καὶ ἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς
NAS: to him, Follow Me, and allow the dead
KJV: me; and let the dead bury
INT: me and leave the dead
Matthew 9:2 V-PIM/P-3P
GRK: Θάρσει τέκνον ἀφίενταί σου αἱ
NAS: son; your sins are forgiven.
KJV: thy sins be forgiven thee.
INT: Take courage son have been forgiven you the
Matthew 9:5 V-PIM/P-3P
GRK: εὐκοπώτερον εἰπεῖν Ἀφίενταί σου αἱ
NAS: Your sins are forgiven,' or
KJV: [Thy] sins be forgiven thee;
INT: easier to say Have been forgiven you [your]
Matthew 9:6 V-PNA
GRK: τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας τότε
NAS: on earth to forgive sins--
KJV: on earth to forgive sins, (then
INT: the earth to forgive sins then
Matthew 12:31 V-FIP-3S
GRK: καὶ βλασφημία ἀφεθήσεται τοῖς ἀνθρώποις
NAS: and blasphemy shall be forgiven people,
KJV: blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:
INT: and blasphemy will be forgiven men
Matthew 12:31 V-FIP-3S
GRK: βλασφημία οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται
NAS: against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
KJV: shall not be forgiven unto men.
INT: blasphemy shall not be forgiven
Matthew 12:32 V-FIP-3S
GRK: τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ ὃς
NAS: of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever
KJV: of man, it shall be forgiven him:
INT: the of man it will be forgiven him whoever
Matthew 12:32 V-FIP-3S
GRK: ἁγίου οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ οὔτε
NAS: Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either
KJV: it shall not be forgiven him, neither
INT: Holy not it will be forgiven him neither
Matthew 13:30 V-AMA-2P
GRK: ἄφετε συναυξάνεσθαι ἀμφότερα
NAS: Allow both to grow together
KJV: Let both grow together
INT: Allow to grow together both
Matthew 13:36 V-APA-NMS
GRK: Τότε ἀφεὶς τοὺς ὄχλους
NAS: Then He left the crowds and went
KJV: sent the multitude away, and went into
INT: Then having dismissed the crowds
Strong's Greek 863
146 Occurrences
ἀφῇ — 3 Occ.
ἀφῆκά — 1 Occ.
ἀφήκαμεν — 3 Occ.
ἀφῆκαν — 2 Occ.
ἀφήκατε — 1 Occ.
ἀφῆκεν — 20 Occ.
ἀφῆκες — 1 Occ.
ἀφήσει — 4 Occ.
ἀφήσεις — 1 Occ.
ἀφήσω — 2 Occ.
ἀφήσουσιν — 1 Occ.
ἀφῆτε — 5 Occ.
ἀφεῖναι — 1 Occ.
ἀφεὶς — 6 Occ.
ἀφέντες — 15 Occ.
ἀφέωνταί — 6 Occ.
Ἄφες — 15 Occ.
ἄφετε — 10 Occ.
ἀφεθῇ — 3 Occ.
ἀφέθησαν — 1 Occ.
ἀφεθήσεται — 13 Occ.
ἀφίημι — 2 Occ.
ἀφίησιν — 4 Occ.
ἀφιέναι — 6 Occ.
ἀφίενταί — 4 Occ.
ἀφίεται — 5 Occ.
ἀφίετε — 4 Occ.
ἀφιέτω — 2 Occ.
ἀφίομεν — 1 Occ.
ἀφίουσιν — 1 Occ.
ἀφῶμεν — 1 Occ.
ἤφιεν — 2 Occ.