The Greek verb diakouomai means to give a formal hearing to someone — to listen officially and judicially. It appears only in Acts 23:35, where Governor Felix tells Paul he will hear his case fully once his accusers arrive: 'I will hear you when your accusers have also arrived.'
Paul's formal hearing before Roman governors is part of Acts' extended apologetic for Christianity. Paul did not merely endure these trials — he used each one as a platform for the gospel. His defense before Felix (Acts 24) famously led Felix to be 'alarmed' about 'righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.' The formal judicial hearing (diakouomai) becomes an opportunity for the accused to become the accuser of the judge's conscience. This reflects Jesus's promise that when brought before governors and kings, the disciples would be given words to speak (Matthew 10:18-20). The divine hearing is also always in the background: God hears (Psalm 34:15) when human courts fail.