Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 26]
26:29 {I would to God} (\euxaim•n an t•i the•i\). Conclusion of
fourth-class condition (optative with \an\), undetermined with
less likelihood, the so-called potential optative (Robertson,
_Grammar_, p. 1021). Polite and courteous wish (first aorist
middle optative of \euchomai\). {Whether with little or with
much} (\kai en mikr•i kai en megal•i\). Literally, "both in
little and in great," or "both with little and with great pains"
or "both in some measure and in great measure." Paul takes kindly
the sarcasm of Agrippa. {Such as I am} (\toioutous hopoios kai
eg• eimi\). Accusative \toioutous\ with the infinitive
\genesthai\. Paul uses these two qualitative pronouns instead of
repeating the word "Christian." {Except these bonds} (\parektos
t•n desm•n tout•n\). Ablative case with \parektos\ (late
preposition for the old \parek\). Paul lifts his right manacled
hand with exquisite grace and good feeling.
26:30 {Rose up} (\anest•\). Second aorist active of \anist•mi\
(intransitive), agreeing only with "the king" (\ho basileus\).
The entertainment was over.
26:31 {They spake one to another} (\elaloun pros all•lous\).
Imperfect active, describing the eager conversation of the
dignitaries about Paul's wonderful speech. {Nothing worthy of
death or bonds} (\ouden thanatou • desm•n axion\). This is the
unanimous conclusion of all these dignitaries (Romans, Jews,
Greeks) as it was of Festus before (25:25). But Paul had not
won any of them to Christ. The conclusion leaves Festus in a
predicament. Why had he not set Paul free before this?
26:32 {This man might have been set at liberty} (\Apolelusthai
edunato ho anthr•pos houtos\). Conclusion of the second class
condition (determined as unfulfilled) without \an\ as in 24:19
because of \edunato\ (verb of possibility, Robertson, _Grammar_,
p. 1014). Note perfect passive infinitive \apolelusthai\ from
\apolu•\. He certainly "could have been set free." Why was it not
done? {If he had not appealed unto Caesar} (\ei m• epekekl•to
Kaisara\). Condition of the second class with the past perfect
middle indicative (_op. cit._, p. 1015) of \epikale•\ (cf.
25:11f.). But Paul _only_ appealed to Caesar after Festus had
tried to shift him back to Jerusalem and had refused to set him
free in Caesarea. Festus comes out with no honour in the case.
Since Agrippa was a favourite at court perhaps Festus would be
willing to write favourably to Caesar.
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/AC26.RWP.html (11 of 12) [28/08/2004 09:08:08 a.m.]