The Greek verb eao means to allow, permit, let something occur, or leave something alone. It is used in contexts where someone either grants permission or refrains from preventing an action. It appears in Acts when Paul prevents a would-be suicide, and in Luke when Jesus permits a group to bring children to Him.
Eao is the verb of permission and restraint — sometimes God's 'allowing' carries deep theological weight. In Acts 14:16, Paul says God 'permitted' all nations to go their own ways in past generations — a form of divine patience, not approval. In Acts 27:32, soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat and 'let' it fall away. In Luke's parallel to 'Let the children come to me' (aphete), the disciples prevented and Jesus permitted. The theological principle: there are things God allows and things He restrains; wisdom and faith involve discerning which is which, and trusting His governance in both.