Negation and Questions

1.

οὐ + Future Indicative = a general prohibition, e.g. "You shall not steal"

2.

μή + Present Imperative = prohibits a continuous action

3.

μή + Aorist Imperative = simple prohibition for undefined action e.g. "Stop talking during class"

4.

μή + Aorist Subjunctive = Stronger prohibition ("No!")

5.

οὐ μή + Aorist Subjunctive = Even Stronger prohibition ("Certainly Not! Never!")

6.

μή + Optative = strong negative wish, e.g. μή γένοιτο ("May it never be!")

1.

Simple verb – not indication of what answer is expected
e.g. σὺ εἶ ὁβασιλεὺς τῶν᾿Ιουδαίων;
(Are you the king of the Jews? Y or N)

2.

Verb preceded by οὐ – expects an affirmative answer
e.g. John 14.10: οὐ πιστεύεις ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρὶ καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ἐν ἐμοί ἐστιν;
(Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? Y)

3.

Verb preceded by μή – expects a negative answer
e.g. 1Cor. 12.29: μὴπάντεςἀπόστολοι
(Are all apostles? N)