ἀκούω
akouō
to hear
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀκούω (akouō) is a fundamental concept in the New Testament, with a strong emphasis on its meaning of "to hear." This verb is used 436 times in the Bible, indicating its significance and widespread usage in various contexts. In its most basic sense, ἀκούω refers to the act of perceiving sound or auditory information. However, its usage extends beyond this literal meaning, encompassing a broader range of concepts related to listening, understanding, and responding to information. The word can also imply a sense of obedience or compliance, as seen in instances where individuals are instructed to "hear" or "listen" to a command or message. The frequency and versatility of ἀκούω suggest its importance in conveying the importance of attention, understanding, and response in various aspects of life, from spiritual guidance to everyday interactions.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
436 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Matthew 14:13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.
Matthew 14:13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.
Matthew 2:3When 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 it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 2:18“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
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. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,
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 the judgment.’
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 Lord your vows,’
Matthew 5:38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
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 a rock.
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 faith, not even in Israel.
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, nor 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 poor have good news preached to them.
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 demons.”
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 ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 13:9He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
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 understand.
Matthew 13:13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.
Matthew 13:14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive:
Matthew 13:15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again; and I would heal them.’
Matthew 13:15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again; and I would heal them.’
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 see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.
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 see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.
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 see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.
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 has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
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 riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
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 produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
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 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 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, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
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 gained back your brother.
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 established.