The verb means literally to send away, dismiss. It is used of forgiving offenses (Mat 6:14, note; Jam 5:15, note); of yielding up (Mat 27:50, note); of letting alone (Mat 19:14, note); of allowing or permitting (Luk 6:12, note). Its employment here is peculiar. Compare Joh 16:28, of Christ's leaving the world.