Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 4]
(\epegin•skon autous\). Imperfect (inchoative) active again, they
began to recognize them as men that they had seen with Jesus.
4:14 {They could say nothing against it} (\ouden eichon
anteipein\). Imperfect again, they kept on having nothing to say
against it. The lame man was standing there before their eyes in
proof of what Peter had said.
4:15 {They conferred among themselves} (\suneballon pros
all•lous\). Imperfect active again. With Peter and John and the
lame man outside, they began to compare (\sun, ball•\) notes and
take stock of their predicament.
4:16 {What shall we do?} (\Ti poi•s•men\). Deliberative aorist
active subjunctive (ingressive and urgent aorist). {Notable
miracle} (\gn•ston s•meion\). Or sign. It was useless to deny it
with the man there. {We cannot deny it} (\ou dunametha
arneisthai\). That is, it will do no good.
4:17 {That it spread no further} (\hina m• epi pleion
dianem•th•i\). First aorist passive subjunctive of \dianem•\, to
distribute with \hina m•\, negative purpose. {Let us threaten
them} (\apeil•s•metha autois\). Hortatory aorist middle
subjunctive of \apeile•\, old verb (note middle voice). In the
N.T. only here and 1Pe 2:23. {That they speak henceforth to no
man in this name} (\m•keti lalein epi t•i onomati tout•i m•deni
anthr•p•n\). Indirect command with the infinitive and double
negative (\m•keti, m•deni\). They will not say "Jesus," but make
a slur at "this name," contemptuous use of \houtos\, though they
apparently do mention the name "Jesus" in verse 18.
4:18 {Not to speak at all} (\katholou m• phtheggesthai\). Same
construction as above, infinitive in indirect command with
negative \m•\ (and \m•de\).
4:20 {For we cannot but speak} (\ou dunametha gar h•meis--m•
lalein\). Both negatives hold here, "For we (note emphatic
\h•meis\) are not able not to speak" (what we saw and heard).
This is defiance of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities that
was justified, for the temple authorities stepped in between the
conscience and God. Peter and John were willing to pay the price
of this defiance with their lives. This is the courage of martyrs
through all the ages.
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