{They were not able} (ouk ischusan). They did not have
strength. An old verb ischu(935c) from ischus (strength). They
failed "to take hold (cf. verse  20 ) of the saying before the
people." These "crack" students had made an ignominious failure
and were not able to make a case for the surrender of Jesus to
Pilate. He had slipped through their net with the utmost ease.
{Held their peace} (esig(8873)an). Ingressive aorist active of
siga(935c). They became silent as they went back with the "dry
grins."