Lexical Summary diakouó: To hear thoroughly, to listen intently Original Word: διακούω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hear. Middle voice from dia and akouo; to hear throughout, i.e. Patiently listen (to a prisoner's plea) -- hear. see GREEK dia see GREEK akouo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and akouó Definition to give a hearing to NASB Translation give...a hearing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1251: διακούωδιακούω: future διακούσομαί; properly, to hear one through, hear to the end, hear with care, hear fully, (cf. διά, C. 2) (Xenophon, Plato, and following): of a judge trying a cause, Acts 23:35; so in Deuteronomy 1:16; Dio Cass. 36, 53 (36). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative SettingThe term appears once in the New Testament, Acts 23:35, where the Roman governor Felix tells the military commander, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive”. Spoken inside Herod’s Praetorium at Caesarea Maritima around A.D. 57, the promise initiates Paul’s two-year custody under Felix (Acts 24:27). The thorough hearing implied by the word forms part of Luke’s larger apologetic purpose: to show that Roman authority repeatedly found no legal fault in the apostle, thereby vindicating both Paul and the gospel he preached (compare Acts 23:29; Acts 25:25). Judicial Thoroughness in the Greco-Roman World Roman procedure valued formal depositions, the presence of witnesses, and the governor’s personal interrogation. The verb employed by Felix carries the sense of a complete, searching examination, underscoring the empire’s official commitment to orderly justice. Luke highlights this standard to contrast Roman fairness—however imperfect—with the venomous plots of Paul’s opponents (Acts 23:12-15). Although Felix himself proves morally vacillating (Acts 24:26-27), the vocabulary choice stresses the ideal of due process that, under God’s providence, shields Paul long enough for him to bear witness before rulers (Acts 9:15-16). Biblical Theology of Listening and Judging Scripture consistently links careful hearing with righteous judgment. Moses charged Israel’s judges, “Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly” (Deuteronomy 1:16). Proverbs warns, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13). James urges believers, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). Felix’s pledge, though politically motivated, echoes these principles and demonstrates that common-grace standards of justice can serve God’s redemptive agenda (Romans 13:1-4). Christ as the Perfect Hearer and Judge Earthly tribunals foreshadow the ultimate assize before the risen Christ. The Lord Jesus declares, “My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). Unlike Felix, Christ’s hearings are perfectly thorough, perfectly fair, and perfectly executed (Acts 17:31). Paul’s confidence before human courts anticipates his greater confidence before the heavenly bar (2 Timothy 4:8). Pastoral and Discipleship Implications 1. Commitment to Due Process Churches and Christian leaders should emulate the principle of deliberate, unbiased hearing when handling disputes (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:19). Swift conclusions without investigation harm both truth and witness. 2. Courage in Legal or Cultural Opposition Paul’s experience encourages believers facing litigation or public censure. God can employ secular systems—even flawed ones—to protect His servants and further the gospel (Philippians 1:12-13). 3. Prayer and Assurance of Divine Audience If a Roman governor promises to hear a prisoner, how much more will the Sovereign Lord heed His people (Psalm 34:15; 1 Peter 3:12)! The term thus becomes a faint echo of the believer’s confidence that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Related Themes and Cross-References • Providence overruling legal systems: Genesis 50:20; Acts 18:14-16 Conclusion Though occurring only once, the word in Acts 23:35 illuminates Luke’s portrait of impartial legal examination, underscores biblical ethics of patient listening, and ultimately directs attention to the flawless judgment of Christ. For the church today it calls to model fairness, to rest in divine oversight, and to proclaim with confidence before any tribunal the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations διακούετε Διακουσομαι Διακούσομαί διακούων Diakousomai DiakoúsomaíLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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