ἐπερωτάω
eperōtaō
to question
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐπερωτάω (eperōtaō), translated as "to question," appears 56 times in the Bible. It carries a sense of inquiry, seeking information, or challenging assumptions. This verb is used in a variety of contexts, from asking straightforward questions to probing deeply into someone's motives or actions. In terms of range of usage, ἐπερωτάω is employed in both formal and informal settings, often in conversations between acquaintances, colleagues, or even between individuals in positions of authority. The subject being questioned can be people, actions, or even abstract concepts. This versatility in usage underscores the word's significance as a fundamental means of exchange and understanding in daily life. The frequent occurrence of ἐπερωτάω in the Bible highlights its importance in human interaction and knowledge acquisition. The verb serves as a common thread, running through various narratives, dialogues, and interactions, providing insight into how people navigate information, seek clarification, and engage with one another.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
56 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
Matthew 17:10His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 22:23On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
Matthew 22:35One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.
Matthew 22:41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,
Matthew 22:46No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Matthew 27:11Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”
Mark 5:9He asked him, “What is your name?” He said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”
Mark 7:5The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?”
Mark 7:17When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.
Mark 8:23He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.
Mark 8:27Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?”
Mark 8:29He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
Mark 9:11They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Mark 9:16He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”
Mark 9:21He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood.
Mark 9:28When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”
Mark 9:32But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Mark 9:33He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”
Mark 10:2Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
Mark 10:10In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.
Mark 10:17As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Mark 11:29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 12:18Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying,
Mark 12:28One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”
Mark 12:34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
Mark 13:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
Luke 9:18As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?”
Mark 14:60The high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?”
Mark 14:61But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
Mark 15:2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”
Mark 15:4Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
Luke 2:46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.
Luke 3:10The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”
Luke 3:14Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”
Luke 6:9Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?”
Luke 8:9Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”
Luke 8:30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him.
Luke 17:20Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation;
Luke 18:18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 18:40Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,
Luke 20:21They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.
Luke 20:27Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection.
Luke 20:40They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.
Luke 21:7They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”
John 9:23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.”
Luke 22:64Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?”
Luke 23:6But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
Luke 23:9He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.
John 18:7Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”