To ask for something, make a request, or demand. Distinguished from erōtaō (G2065, to inquire/ask a question) and proseuchomai (G4336, to pray), aiteō emphasizes requesting something from someone in authority. It is the primary verb Jesus uses when teaching about prayer and asking the Father.
Jesus' teaching on prayer is built on aiteō: 'Ask, and it shall be given you' (Matt 7:7); 'Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do' (John 14:13-14); 'Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full' (John 16:24). The theology of asking presupposes a relational God who delights to give — the Father-child relationship where asking is not presumption but trust. James adds nuance: 'Ye have not, because ye ask not' (Jas 4:2), and 'ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss' (Jas 4:3). The theological framework requires both boldness (ask!) and alignment (ask according to His will — 1 John 5:14). Pilate's narrative also uses aiteō: the crowd demanded Barabbas (Luke 23:25).