ἀκούω (akouō)
akouō
to hear
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 401 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb akouō covers the full spectrum from physical hearing to deep comprehension. While it simply means "to hear" in many contexts, such as when crowds gathered around Jesus because they heard his teaching (Matthew 13:2), it frequently carries a heavier weight of attention and understanding. In John’s Gospel, this distinction becomes clear when Jesus speaks of those who "hear" the Father’s voice (John 8:47); here, hearing implies accepting and obeying what is said.
A notable feature of its usage is the repeated phrase "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" found in Matthew 11:15 and Revelation 2:7. This formula signals that the message requires more than passive auditory reception; it demands active spiritual discernment. The word also appears in legal contexts, such as in Acts 25:22, where King Agrippa agrees to "hear" Paul’s defense, showing its use for listening to arguments or testimony.
Etymologically, akouō is a primary root verb with no complex compound parts, which allows it to remain flexible across diverse situations. It bridges the gap between the sensory act of sound entering the ear and the intellectual act of grasping meaning. Translators often render it as "hear," "listen," or "obey" depending on whether the context emphasizes physical perception or moral response.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word akouō describes more than just sound entering your ears; it points to a heart that is ready to receive and respond. In everyday life, we often hear words without letting them change us, but this term invites a deeper engagement with truth. It bridges the gap between simple auditory perception and genuine understanding, suggesting that true hearing involves an openness to what is being said.
Jesus frequently used this concept to challenge His listeners to move beyond passive observation. When He spoke of those who hear His words and act on them, He highlighted a faith that is active and grounded in reality. This invitation encourages us to listen not just with our ears, but with our whole lives, allowing divine truth to shape our daily choices and perspectives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 401 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having heard49×
- I heard31×
- to hear30×
- hearing29×
- Having heard26×
- heard14×
- you have heard11×
- he should hear.9×
- he should hear7×
- do hear6×
- they may hear5×
- You have heard5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀκούσαντες41×
- ἤκουσα34×
- ἀκούσας23×
- ἀκούειν20×
- ἠκούσατε17×
- ἤκουσεν15×
- ἀκούοντες14×
- ἤκουσαν13×
- Ἀκούσας12×
- ἀκοῦσαι12×
- ἀκούων11×
- ἀκούετε9×
Key Verses
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Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
This verse connects hearing directly to action, illustrating that true understanding of Jesus' words results in a stable life built on obedience.
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Matthew 13:9
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The repeated call to have ears to hear emphasizes that spiritual truths require active discernment rather than passive reception.
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Matthew 11:4
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
Jesus instructs John's disciples to report what they see and hear, using the word to validate His messianic works through observable evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between simply hearing and akouō?
Why does Jesus say 'He who has ears to hear'?
How does this word relate to obedience?
Every Occurrence (401 verses across 23 books)
Matthew 59 verses
When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until…
Matthew 2:18“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be…
Matthew 2:22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there.…
Matthew 4:12Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.
Matthew 5:21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of…
Matthew 5:27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
Matthew 5:33“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the…
Matthew 5:38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
Matthew 5:43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Matthew 7:24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on…
Matthew 7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 8:10When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a…
Matthew 9:12When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
Matthew 10:14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:27What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 11:2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
Matthew 11:4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
Matthew 11:5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the…
Matthew 11:15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 12:19He will not strive, nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
Matthew 12:24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the…
Matthew 12:42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the…
Matthew 13:9He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they…
Matthew 13:14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand;…
Matthew 13:15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else…
Matthew 13:16“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:17For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…
Matthew 13:18“Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.
Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which…
Matthew 13:20What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it;
Matthew 13:22What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of…
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and…
Matthew 13:43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 14:1At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
Matthew 14:13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it,…
Matthew 15:10He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand.
Matthew 15:12Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,…
Matthew 17:6When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
Matthew 18:15“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have…
Matthew 18:16But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be…
Matthew 19:22But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
Matthew 19:25When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
Matthew 20:24When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on…
Matthew 21:16and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth…
Matthew 21:33“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it,…
Matthew 21:45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
Matthew 22:7When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Matthew 22:22When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away.
Matthew 22:33When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Matthew 22:34But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.
Matthew 24:6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not…
Matthew 26:65Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold,…
Matthew 27:13Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”
Matthew 27:47Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
Matthew 28:14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”