Acts 28:26-27
“‘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)
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Paul is quoting Isaiah, not just to describe the Jews' spiritual state, but to show that this stubborn deafness to God's truth is an ancient, persistent pattern. It's not just a personal failing of those listening to Paul in Rome, but a prophecy that sadly continues to play out, explaining why some remain hardened even when presented with clear spiritual truth.
After Paul spent a full day sharing the good news about God's kingdom and Jesus, some Jews were persuaded, but others remained hardened. Paul then cited Isaiah's prophecy to describe this persistent unbelief, indicating that this spiritual deafness and blindness was a recurring theme, not just in ancient Israel but also among the Jews in Rome. This declaration marked a turning point, as Paul pivoted to focus on the Gentiles, proclaiming that God's salvation would now be sent to them.
Why did Paul quote these harsh words from Isaiah? It wasn't just to describe the Jews in Rome, but to declare God's judgment on their persistent refusal of truth.
When Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9 in Acts 28:26, he's not simply observing a sad reality; he's declaring a prophetic judgment. Jesus himself used these words in Matthew 13 to explain why he spoke in parables – the people's hearts were hardened, and God, in His justice, allowed their spiritual blindness to continue.
This quote is a powerful reminder that God's Word, when met with stubborn resistance, can lead to a hardening of the heart. It's a warning about the consequences of deliberately ignoring divine truth. Paul's application of this prophecy shows that the same spiritual deafness and blindness he saw in Israel was now present in the Roman Jewish community.
What does it truly mean to 'hear' or 'see' when it comes to God's message? It’s more than just physical ability; it's about the condition of your heart.
The core issue in Acts 28:26 isn't a lack of information, but a lack of willing reception. The prophecy speaks of a disconnect between outward senses and inward understanding.
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This was a deliberate, though often willful, state. The 'heart of this people' had become gross, and their ears were dull. They actively chose not to 'perceive' lest they be converted and healed.
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 citation of Isaiah's prophecy in Rome echoes Jesus' own use of it, highlighting a consistent pattern of rejection by some Jewish audiences throughout history, even in the heart of the Roman Empire.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
The prophet Isaiah delivers a prophecy concerning the spiritual blindness of the people of Judah, commissioned by God to speak in such a way that some would remain hardened.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Quotes Isaiah
During His ministry, Jesus quotes Isaiah's prophecy to explain why He often taught in parables, signifying the people's unwillingness to truly understand and believe.
c. AD 49
Expulsion of Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius expels many Jews from Rome due to disturbances related to 'Chrestus,' disrupting Jewish communities in the city.
c. AD 57-60
Paul's Imprisonment and Appeal
The Apostle Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea and later appeals to Caesar, leading to his journey to Rome as a prisoner.
c. AD 60— this verse
Paul Arrives in Rome
Paul arrives in Rome under house arrest, where he is permitted to receive visitors and preach the gospel freely for two years.
c. AD 61-62
Paul Preaches to Jews in Rome
Paul summons the leading Jews in Rome to explain his situation and witness to them about Jesus. Many are skeptical, leading Paul to declare that God's salvation will now turn to the Gentiles.
This is the original prophecy from Isaiah that Paul is quoting, revealing the deep-seated spiritual blindness God foresaw in His people.
Matthew 13:14-15Jesus Himself quotes this passage when explaining why He speaks in parables, highlighting the deliberate spiritual dullness of many who hear His words.
John 12:40John also references Isaiah 6:9 to explain the disbelief of many Jews towards Jesus, showing this theme of spiritual incomprehension spans Jesus' ministry and its aftermath.
Romans 11:8Paul echoes this same prophetic judgment on Israel here, emphasizing that a hardening has occurred, resulting in a lack of understanding despite hearing.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4This passage speaks of a veil over the minds of those who do not believe the gospel, paralleling the inability to 'understand' and 'perceive' mentioned in Acts, attributing it to spiritual blindness.
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…
Paul is quoting Isaiah, not just to describe the Jews' spiritual state, but to show that this stubborn deafness to God's truth is an ancient, persistent pattern. It's not just a personal failing of those listening to Paul in Rome, but a prophecy that sadly continues to play out, explaining why some remain hardened even when presented with clear spiritual truth.
After Paul spent a full day sharing the good news about God's kingdom and Jesus, some Jews were persuaded, but others remained hardened. Paul then cited Isaiah's prophecy to describe this persistent unbelief, indicating that this spiritual deafness and blindness was a recurring theme, not just in ancient Israel but also among the Jews in Rome. This declaration marked a turning point, as Paul pivoted to focus on the Gentiles, proclaiming that God's salvation would now be sent to them.
After Paul spent a full day sharing the good news about God's kingdom and Jesus, some Jews were persuaded, but others remained hardened. Paul then cited Isaiah's prophecy to describe this persistent unbelief, indicating that this spiritual deafness and blindness was a recurring theme, not just in ancient Israel but also among the Jews in Rome. This declaration marked a turning point, as Paul pivoted to focus on the Gentiles, proclaiming that God's salvation would now be sent to them.
"“‘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…" — Paul is quoting Isaiah, not just to describe the Jews' spiritual state, but to show that this stubborn deafness to God's truth is an ancient, persistent pattern. It's not just a personal failing of t…
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