This isn't just a description of hearing and seeing without understanding or perceiving; it's a declaration that their current spiritual state is so hardened that the very act of hearing and seeing God's message will result in their continued incomprehension and blindness, a judgment foretold by the prophet Isaiah.
“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul, under house arrest in Rome, has gathered both Jewish leaders and many others to explain his faith. After patiently sharing the message of God’s kingdom from the Scriptures, some people were convinced, while others rejected his message. Because of this stubborn rejection, Paul then declares that their spiritual blindness is a fulfillment of prophecy, essentially sealing their fate of hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving.
Paul is quoting ancient Scripture to describe the people he's talking to. Why this specific passage, and what does it reveal about their spiritual condition?
In Acts 28:26, Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9, a passage that Jesus himself used to explain why he often taught in parables (Matthew 13:13-15). This isn't just a random quote; it's a prophetic declaration about a deep-seated spiritual state.
Why This Passage?
It's not about physical ability to hear or see. What's the real obstacle Paul is pointing to when he talks about 'understanding' and 'perceiving'?
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The prophecy emphasizes a disconnect not in the physical senses, but in the heart and mind. It’s about a refusal to truly engage with God's truth on a deeper level.
Hearing Without Understanding:
Seeing Without Perceiving:
This describes a condition where the tools for receiving truth (ears, eyes) are functional, but the inner disposition—the heart and mind—is closed off, preventing genuine spiritual apprehension.
Understand the original words
kardia · Greek Noun
In biblical usage, the heart is considered the control center of human existence, encompassing the intellect, the will, and the emotions, and is the seat of moral and spiritual decision-making.
pachynō · Greek Verb
A state of being thick, fat, or unresponsive; metaphorically it describes a spiritual state of insensitivity, hardness, or inability to grasp divine truth.
Paul's use of Isaiah's prophecy in Rome highlights a recurring theme in salvation history: persistent unbelief can lead to a hardening of hearts, prompting God to turn to new recipients of His message.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
Isaiah receives a prophetic vision from God concerning the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people of Israel. This prophecy foretells their persistent lack of understanding despite hearing and seeing.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Quotes Isaiah
During His ministry, Jesus quotes Isaiah's prophecy to explain why He often taught in parables, indicating that some people were intentionally resistant to His message.
c. AD 48-49
Paul's Ministry in Rome Begins
Paul, a prominent apostle, begins his ministry which will eventually lead him to Rome, the imperial capital, where he will face both receptive and resistant audiences.
c. AD 60
Paul's Arrival in Rome
Paul arrives in Rome under house arrest to appeal his case to Caesar, marking the beginning of his significant ministry within the Roman Empire's heart.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul Preaches to Roman Jews
Paul meets with the Jewish leaders in Rome, sharing the gospel of Jesus. While some are convinced, many remain hardened and disbelieving, leading Paul to quote Isaiah's prophecy.
c. AD 60-62
Paul Turns to the Gentiles
Following the rejection by the Jewish leaders, Paul declares that the salvation of God will now be sent to the Gentiles, who will be more receptive.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment Ministry
Despite his confinement, Paul continues his ministry in Rome for two years, boldly preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus to all who come to him.
This is the original Old Testament prophecy that Paul is quoting, revealing that this spiritual deafness and blindness is a long-standing issue with God's people.
Matthew 13:14-15Jesus himself quoted this same passage to explain why he often spoke in parables, showing that this hardening of hearts has been a consistent theme throughout God's dealings with his people.
John 12:39-40John also cites this prophecy after Jesus' ministry, emphasizing that the people's refusal to believe, despite seeing Jesus' signs, demonstrates their willful spiritual blindness.
Romans 11:8Paul here reiterates this same prophecy, connecting it to God's sovereign action in giving Israel a spirit of slumber, highlighting the divine judgment behind their lack of understanding.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4Paul speaks of the gospel being hidden, but explains it's hidden to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, drawing a parallel to the deliberate blindness described in Isaiah and Acts.
ellicottActs 28:26: "Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:"
(26) Go unto this people, and say . . . —On the passage thus quoted see Notes on Matthew 13:14-15 . Here we are chiefly concerned with the fact that the words had been cited by our Lord as describing the spiritual state of the Jews of Palestine, and that the record of their citation is found in the first three Gospels ( Matthew 13:13 ; Mark 4:12 ; Luke…
henryActs 28:23-31: "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening."
28:23-31 Paul persuaded the Jews concerning Jesus. Some were wrought upon by the word, and others hardened; some received the light, and others shut their eyes against it. And the same has always been the effect of the gospel. Paul…
This isn't just a description of hearing and seeing without understanding or perceiving; it's a declaration that their current spiritual state is so hardened that the very act of hearing and seeing God's message will result in their continued incomprehension and blindness, a judgment foretold by the prophet Isaiah.
Paul, under house arrest in Rome, has gathered both Jewish leaders and many others to explain his faith. After patiently sharing the message of God’s kingdom from the Scriptures, some people were convinced, while others rejected his message. Because of this stubborn rejection, Paul then declares that their spiritual blindness is a fulfillment of prophecy, essentially sealing their fate of hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving.
Paul, under house arrest in Rome, has gathered both Jewish leaders and many others to explain his faith. After patiently sharing the message of God’s kingdom from the Scriptures, some people were convinced, while others rejected his message. Because of this stubborn rejection, Paul then declares that their spiritual blindness is a fulfillment of prophecy, essentially sealing their fate of hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving.
"“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their…" — This isn't just a description of hearing and seeing without understanding or perceiving; it's a declaration that their current spiritual state is so hardened that the very act of hearing and seei…
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Last reviewed October 2026
