Luke 18:36

Inquired (epunqaneto). Imperfect middle. Repeatedly inquired as he heard the tramp of the passing crowd going by (diaporeuomenou). What this meant (Ti eih touto). Literally, What it was. Without an the optative is due to indirect discourse, changed from estin. With an (margin of Westcott and Hort) the potential optative of the direct discourse is simply retained.