aphesis

What it means

Release or letting go, used for freeing a prisoner, canceling a debt, and forgiving sins. In Luke 4:18 Jesus reads Isaiah's "release to the captives" and "set free those who are oppressed," using the same word twice. Forgiveness of sins is tied to John's baptism (3:3) and Zechariah's song (1:77).

Range of meaning

• ReleaseFreedom from captivity.
• CancellationRelease from a debt.
• ForgivenessPardon for sins.

In Luke

• Chapter 1

  "Knowledge of salvation ... in the forgiveness of their sins" (1:77).

• Chapter 3

  "For the forgiveness of sins" (3:3).

• Chapter 4

  "To proclaim release to the captives" (4:18).

• Chapter 24

  "Remission of sins" (24:47).