ἐρωτάω
erōtaō
to ask
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐρωτάω (erōtaō) is a verb that means "to ask." It is used 63 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in conveying various forms of inquiry. The word's meaning is straightforward, encompassing both simple questions and more complex requests for information or assistance. The range of usage for ἐρωτάω is broad, as it appears in various contexts, including dialogue, prayer, and everyday interactions. It is often used in conjunction with other verbs, such as "to know" or "to seek," to convey a sense of inquiry or investigation. This versatility suggests that the word is a fundamental component of communication in ancient Greek, and its usage in the Bible reflects its significance in everyday life. The significance of ἐρωτάω lies in its role as a basic means of communication and interaction. By asking questions, individuals can seek knowledge, clarification, or assistance, and the word's frequency in the Bible highlights its importance in building relationships, resolving conflicts, and seeking guidance.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
63 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
Matthew 16:13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
Matthew 19:17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 21:24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 4:10When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
Mark 7:26Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.
Mark 8:5He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.”
Luke 4:38He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her.
Luke 5:3He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
Luke 7:3When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.
Luke 7:36One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table.
Luke 8:37All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. Then he entered into the boat and returned.
Luke 9:45But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Luke 11:37Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in, and sat at the table.
Luke 14:18They all as one began to make excuses. “The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.’
Luke 14:19“Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go try them out. Please have me excused.’
Luke 14:32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy, and asks for conditions of peace.
Luke 16:27“He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house;
Luke 19:31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
Luke 20:3He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
Luke 22:68and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.
Luke 23:3Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
John 1:19This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
John 1:21They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”
John 1:25They asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
John 4:31In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
John 4:40So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days.
John 4:47When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
John 5:12Then they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your mat and walk’?”
John 8:7But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.”
John 9:2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
John 9:15Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.”
John 9:19and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”
John 9:21but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.”
John 12:21These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”
John 14:16I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever:
John 16:5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
John 16:19Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’
John 16:23“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
John 16:26In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you,
John 16:30Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
John 17:9I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
John 17:9I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
John 17:15I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
John 17:20Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,
John 18:19The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
John 18:21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, they know the things which I said.”
John 18:21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, they know the things which I said.”
John 19:31Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
John 19:38After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.