Original Word: ἐπερωτάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: eperótaó
Pronunciation: ep-er-o-tah'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-er-o-tah'-o)
KJV: ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question
NASB: questioned, asked, questioning, ask, question, asking, asked a question
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G2065 (ἐρωτάω - ask)]

1. to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek

ask questions, demand, desire.

From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek -- ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK erotao

1905 eperōtáō (from epi, "on, fitting" intensifying 2065 /erōtáō, "inquire, ask") – properly, ask appropriately (aptly), done by someone on "preferred footing" who makes a request from a "preferred position." 2065 /erōtáō ("ask pointedly") is the regular word Jesus used for making requests to the Father (Jn 14:16, 16:26, 17:9,15,20).

Word Origin
from epi and erótaó
Definition
to inquire of
NASB Translation
ask (5), ask...question (1), ask...questions (1), asked (14), asked...a question (1), asking (2), asking...questions (1), question (3), questioned (18), questioning (9).

STRONGS NT 1905: ἐπερωτάω

ἐπερωτάω, ἐπερωτῶ; imperfect ἐπηρώτων; future ἐπερωτήσω; 1 aorist ἐπηρώτησα; 1 aorist passive participle ἐπερωτηθείς; the Sept. mostly for שָׁאַל, sometimes for דָּרַשׁ;

1. to accost one with an inquiry, put a question to, inquire of, ask, interrogate (ἐπί directive, uniformly in the N. T.; Meyer on Mark 11:29 (cf. ἐπί, D. 2)): τινα, Mark 9:32; Mark 12:34; Matthew 22:46; Luke 2:46; 1 Corinthians 14:35; John 18:21 R G; τινα τί, ask one anything, Mark 7:17 L T Tr WH; ; Luke 20:40; τινα περί τίνος, one about a thing, Mark 7:17 R G; (Luke 9:45 Lachmann) (Herodotus 1, 32; Demosthenes 1072, 12); followed by λέγων with the words used by the questioner, Matthew 12:10; Matthew 17:10; Mark 9:11; Mark 12:18; Luke 3:10, 14; Luke 20:27; Luke 23:3 (R G L), and often in the Synoptic Gospels; followed by εἰ, whether, Mark 8:23; Mark 15:44; Luke 23:6; or some other form of the indirect question, Acts 23:34; ἐπηρώτων λέγοντες (L T Tr WH omit λέγοντες), τίς εἴη, Luke 8:9; ἐπερωτᾶν Θεόν to consult God (Numbers 23:3; Joshua 9:20 (14); Judges 1:1; Judges 18:5; Isaiah 19:3, etc.; Thucydides 1, 118 (etc.)), hence, to seek to know God's purpose and to do his will, Romans 10:20 from Isaiah 65:1.

2. by a usage foreign to the Greeks, to address one with a request or demand; to ask of or demand of one: followed by the infinitive Matthew 16:1 (so ἐπερωτᾶν τινα τί, Hebrew שָׁאַל, in Psalm 136:3 (); (this sense is disputed by some; see Zezschwitz as referred to at end of next word; cf. Weiss on Matthew, the passage cited, and see ἐρωτάω, 2)).

Meaning and Nuance

ἐπερωτάω (Strong’s 1905) describes a deliberate asking—sometimes earnest, sometimes confrontational, often carrying the idea of pressing for an answer or decision. It may be friendly inquiry, rabbinic pedagogy, formal interrogation, or even a plea. The cognate noun ἐπερώτημα in 1 Peter 3:21 shows the same depth of commitment: a “pledge” or “appeal” made to God.

Frequency and Distribution

Fifty-six New Testament occurrences cluster in four spheres:

1. The Synoptic Gospels (forty-seven usages)
2. John’s Gospel (two)
3. Acts (four)
4. Pauline correspondence (three)

Questions Directed to Jesus

Opponents repeatedly used ἐπερωτάω to test or trap the Lord.
• Matthew 12:10—“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
• Matthew 22:23; 22:35; Luke 20:21, 27—Sadducees, Pharisees, and lawyers frame trick questions about resurrection, Torah, and taxation.

Such scenes reveal human attempts to judge Christ, yet each exchange ends with His wisdom exposing their motives (Matthew 22:46).

Questions Asked by Jesus

Jesus employs probing questions to unveil hearts and to lead disciples to confession.
• Mark 5:9—He asks the demoniac, “What is your name?” confronting evil directly.
• Mark 8:27, 29—“Who do people say I am? … Who do you say I am?” brings Peter’s confession.
• Mark 9:33—“What were you discussing on the way?” exposes pride.

When Jesus questions, He is not seeking information but teaching, inviting faith, and asserting authority.

Private Inquiry by Disciples

Inside homes or on roadsides the disciples use ἐπερωτάω for clarification:
• Mark 7:17; 9:11, 28; Luke 8:9—explanations of parables and miracles.

These moments model the humble learner’s posture and anticipate later Spirit-led understanding (John 16:13).

Personal Search for Eternal Life

The rich young ruler illustrates sincere yet incomplete inquiry: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18; Mark 10:17). His question reveals longing; his departure reveals bondage to wealth. ἐπερωτάω thus frames the crisis of discipleship.

Judicial and Forensic Interrogation

The word appears in formal courts:
• Mark 14:60-61—Caiaphas interrogates Jesus.
• Mark 15:2-4; Luke 23:6-9—Pilate and Herod question Him.
• Acts 5:27—“the high priest questioned them.”
• Acts 23:34—Felix inquires about Paul’s province.

Here ἐπερωτάω underscores the irony of earthly judges sitting before the Judge of all.

Apostolic and Ecclesial Usage

• 1 Corinthians 14:35—women are to “ask their own husbands at home,” guarding orderly worship.
• Romans 10:20 cites Isaiah: God is found by those who “did not ask” (ἐπερωτῶσιν), magnifying grace over human initiative.

Relation to Prayer and Covenant

Though rarely used for prayer itself, ἐπερωτάω shades into petition when the object is God (cf. the noun in 1 Peter 3:21). The believer’s baptismal “appeal to God for a good conscience” shows that questioning can become covenantal commitment.

Old Testament Background

In the Septuagint ἐπερωτάω translates Hebrew שָׁאַל (“ask”) in both mundane and covenant contexts. This continuity buttresses New Testament theology: questioning God rightly leads to revelation; questioning God wrongly leads to judgment.

Doctrinal Observations

1. Revelation is initiated by God, yet He welcomes honest inquiry (Matthew 7:7).
2. Christ’s authority turns every interrogation back upon the questioner, demanding a heart response.
3. The gospel narrative moves from men questioning Jesus to the risen Jesus questioning His followers (John 21:15-17), culminating in Spirit-driven proclamation rather than further debate.

Ministry Applications

• Teaching: Use thoughtful questions to draw out faith and understanding, following the Master’s pattern.
• Evangelism: Expect sincere seekers and hostile interrogators; answer with Scripture and gentle boldness.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to bring uncertainties to Christ privately, as the disciples did.
• Pastoral Care: Recognize that legalistic or adversarial questioning may mask deeper spiritual need.

Related Terms

• ἐρωτάω (2065) often denotes ordinary asking; ἐπερωτάω intensifies the demand.
• Ἐπερώτημα (1906) captures the pledge or appeal arising from such earnest questioning.

Thus ἐπερωτάω threads through the Gospels and Acts as a mirror of the human heart—sometimes humble, sometimes hostile—while also revealing the patient, sovereign wisdom of the One who ultimately questions every questioner.

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