| 40. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the negative temporal particle ouketi {οὐκέτι | ou-ké-ti} ‘no longer’, which sets a time-bound cessation of a previously ongoing activity. The conjunction gar {γὰρ | gàr} is postpositive, coming second in Greek word order but functioning logically at the beginning of the clause to connect this statement as a reason or explanation for what precedes. The imperfect verb etolmōn {ἐτόλμων | e-tól-mōn} ‘they were daring’ depicts a past situation in terms of an ongoing or repeated attitude, here indicating a continued refusal to take bold action. This verb is complemented by the present infinitive eperōtân {ἐπερωτᾶν | e-pe-rō-tân} ‘to question’, which functions as the content or sphere of the daring: their boldness would have consisted in questioning. The accusative pronoun auton {αὐτὸν | au-tón} identifies Jesus as the object of the questioning, while the neuter accusative ouden {οὐδέν | ou-dén} ‘nothing’ functions adverbially with the infinitive, specifying that they did not dare to ask anything at all. The sequence ouketi + imperfect indicative + complementary infinitive portrays a settled, habitual restraint that has now come into force, emphasizing that after Jesus’ authoritative answers, His opponents completely ceased interrogating Him. |