Acts 28:27

KJV

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the heart {G2588} of this {G5127} people {G2992} is waxed gross {G3975}, and {G2532} their ears {G3775} are dull {G917} of hearing {G191}, and {G2532} their {G846} eyes {G3788} have they closed {G2576}; lest {G3379} they should see {G1492} with their eyes {G3788}, and {G2532} hear {G191} with their ears {G3775}, and {G2532} understand {G4920} with their heart {G2588}, and {G2532} should be converted {G1994}, and {G2532} I should heal {G2390} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because the heart of this people has grown thick —
with their ears they barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
for fear that they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and do t’shuvah,
so that I could heal them.”’

Berean Standard Bible

For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

American Standard Version

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:27, a poignant quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10, serves as Paul's sorrowful diagnosis of the spiritual condition of many in the Jewish community in Rome. It describes a profound and deliberate spiritual insensitivity, where the heart, ears, and eyes are willfully closed to divine truth, preventing genuine understanding, conversion, and spiritual healing. This verse underscores the tragic consequences of persistent resistance to God's revelation, highlighting a recurring pattern of unbelief throughout salvation history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes Paul's extended engagement with the Jewish leaders in Rome, as recorded in [Acts 28](/acts/28 "Acts 28 - Paul's Ministry in Rome"). Following his arrival in Rome under house arrest, Paul called together the leading Jews to explain his situation and proclaim the Kingdom of God, testifying about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets ([Acts 28:23](/acts/28-23 "Acts 28:23 - Paul's Testimony in Rome")). Despite a full day of earnest persuasion, some were convinced, but others remained unconvinced, leading to sharp disagreement among them ([Acts 28:24](/acts/28-24 "Acts 28:24 - Division Among the Jews")). Paul's final words to them, before turning his attention more fully to the Gentiles, are this direct quotation from Isaiah, serving as a prophetic indictment and a somber explanation for their persistent unbelief. It marks a significant turning point in the book of Acts, signaling a shift in the primary focus of the Gospel's outreach.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's ministry in Rome occurred during a period when the Roman Empire was the dominant world power, and Rome itself was a melting pot of cultures and religions, including a significant Jewish diaspora. The Jewish community in Rome had a long history, with synagogues and a vibrant religious life. They were familiar with the Old Testament prophecies, yet many struggled to accept Jesus as the Messiah, particularly because of His crucifixion and the radical implications of the Gospel for the Mosaic Law. The prophecy from [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - God's Commission to Isaiah") was originally given in the context of Isaiah's call, describing God's judgment upon a people who, despite hearing and seeing, would not understand or turn. By quoting this passage, Paul was not only lamenting their present state but also placing their rejection within a broader historical and prophetic framework of Israel's spiritual blindness, a theme explored extensively in his epistles, such as [Romans 9-11](/romans/9-11 "Romans 9-11 - God's Plan for Israel").
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 28:27](/acts/28-27 "Acts 28:27 - The People's Hardened Heart") contributes to several overarching themes within Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **spiritual resistance and hardening of the heart**. Despite clear divine revelation and the powerful testimony of the apostles, many chose to remain unresponsive, fulfilling ancient prophecies about Israel's stubbornness. Secondly, it underscores the **sovereignty of God in judgment and human responsibility**. While the prophecy speaks of a divine decree ("lest they should see... and I should heal them"), the language also emphasizes the people's active role in "closing their eyes" and making their "ears dull." This tension between divine foreknowledge/decree and human culpability is a pervasive biblical theme. Lastly, the verse sets the stage for the **expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles**. Paul's declaration that salvation would now be sent to the Gentiles, who "will hear it" ([Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Acts 28:28 - Salvation Sent to the Gentiles")), is a direct consequence of this rejection by many Jews, demonstrating God's unwavering purpose to bring salvation to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic background.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gross (Greek, _pachýnō'_):** From G3975, meaning "to thicken, i.e. (by implication) to fatten (figuratively, stupefy or render callous)." This word vividly describes the heart's condition as becoming heavy, dull, or insensitive, akin to being "fattened" with spiritual apathy. It implies a loss of spiritual responsiveness and discernment, making it difficult for divine truth to penetrate.
* **dull (Greek, _baréōs'_):** From G917, an adverb meaning "heavily (figuratively)." When applied to hearing, it signifies a difficulty or heaviness in perceiving sound, not due to physical impairment but a spiritual reluctance to truly listen and comprehend. Their ears are "heavy of hearing," indicating a resistance to the message.
* **closed (Greek, _kammýō'_):** From G2576, meaning "to shut down, i.e. close the eyes." This word is crucial as it is in the active voice, emphasizing a deliberate and volitional act on the part of the people. It's not that they are blind, but that they consciously choose to shut their eyes, actively refusing to see or acknowledge the spiritual light presented to them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the heart of this people is waxed gross,"**: This clause introduces the core spiritual problem. The "heart" (G2588, _kardía_) represents the center of one's being—intellect, will, emotions. To be "waxed gross" (G3975, _pachýnō_) means it has become dull, insensitive, or calloused. This is not a passive state but implies a hardening resulting from persistent resistance to God's truth, making them spiritually unresponsive.
* **"and their ears are dull of hearing,"**: Following the condition of the heart, the "ears" (G3775, _oûs_) are described as "dull" (G917, _baréōs_) of hearing. This signifies that while physical sound may enter, the spiritual capacity to truly listen, perceive, and understand the divine message (G191, _akoúō_) is severely impaired. They hear, but they do not truly comprehend or internalize.
* **"and their eyes have they closed;"**: This is a critical statement, as "closed" (G2576, _kammýō_) is in the active voice. It highlights the volitional nature of their spiritual blindness. They are not unable to see, but they deliberately choose to shut their "eyes" (G3788, _ophthalmós_) to the spiritual light and truth presented before them. This active rejection prevents them from gaining spiritual insight.
* **"lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart,"**: This clause reveals the tragic consequence and, paradoxically, the purpose of their self-imposed spiritual condition. The word "lest" (G3379, _mḗpote_) indicates a negative purpose or fear. They close their senses precisely to avoid the possibility of spiritual perception (G1492, _eídō_), hearing (G191, _akoúō_), and understanding (G4920, _syníēmi_) with their innermost being (G2588, _kardía_). This implies a fear of the implications of truth.
* **"and should be converted, and I should heal them."**: The final part of the verse states the ultimate outcome they are avoiding. To "be converted" (G1994, _epistréphō_) means to turn around, to repent, to change one's spiritual direction. This turning is explicitly linked to God's desire to "heal" (G2390, _iáomai_) them. The healing here is holistic—spiritual restoration, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. By closing themselves off, they prevent the very transformation and divine restoration that God offers.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 28:27 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "heart," "ears," and "eyes" to represent the entire person's capacity for spiritual perception and response. The "heart" stands for the inner being, the center of thought and will; the "ears" for the faculty of hearing and comprehension; and the "eyes" for the faculty of seeing and understanding. The phrase "waxed gross" for the heart, and "dull of hearing" for the ears, are **Metaphors** that describe a spiritual condition using physical terms of heaviness, insensitivity, or obesity, implying a state where spiritual truth cannot penetrate or be processed. The active verb "have they closed" for the eyes signifies **Volition** and **Responsibility**, highlighting that this spiritual blindness is not a passive state but a deliberate choice. Finally, the entire verse functions as a **Prophetic Indictment**, drawing on Isaiah's ancient words to explain a contemporary spiritual reality, underscoring the continuity of God's dealings with His people and the consistent pattern of human resistance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly addresses the themes of spiritual blindness, human responsibility in the face of divine revelation, and the consequences of persistent unbelief. It highlights that hardening of the heart is often a self-inflicted condition, a deliberate choice to resist the truth, rather than an inability to perceive it. While God's sovereignty is implicit in the prophetic utterance, the emphasis here is on human culpability for shutting off the very avenues through which spiritual understanding and healing can come. This resistance prevents the transformative work of God, revealing that true conversion and spiritual restoration are contingent upon a receptive heart and a willingness to respond to God's call. The passage serves as a stark reminder that repeated rejection of light leads to greater darkness and a diminished capacity for spiritual discernment.

* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - The Original Prophecy of Hardening")
* [Matthew 13:14-15](/matthew/13-14-15 "Matthew 13:14-15 - Jesus Quotes Isaiah on Spiritual Blindness")
* [Romans 11:7-8](/romans/11-7-8 "Romans 11:7-8 - Israel's Partial Hardening")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:27 stands as a powerful and sobering warning for all who encounter God's Word. It challenges us to honestly examine the condition of our own hearts, ears, and eyes. Are we truly open and receptive to the Spirit's leading and the truth of Scripture, or are we, perhaps subtly, allowing ourselves to become dull, insensitive, or even actively resistant to what God is speaking? The danger lies not just in outright rejection, but in the gradual accumulation of apathy, distraction, or self-will that can lead to a hardened heart. Spiritual growth and vitality depend on maintaining a humble, teachable spirit, eager to hear, see, and understand. We are called to actively pursue conversion—a continual turning towards God—and to embrace the healing that comes from His presence and truth, rather than shying away from the transformative power of the Gospel that might challenge our comfort zones or preconceived notions. This verse implores us to cultivate a posture of spiritual receptivity, lest we miss the profound blessings of God's grace and healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my "heart" be "waxed gross" or insensitive to God's truth?**
* **Am I truly "hearing" God's Word with an open mind and spirit, or am I allowing my "ears" to become "dull" to challenging truths?**
* **Are there any truths I am deliberately "closing my eyes" to because they might require me to change or confront uncomfortable realities?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive heart, open ears, and seeing eyes, so that I may be truly converted and healed by God?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God actively hardens people's hearts, or do people harden their own hearts?**

Answer: This verse, like its Old Testament source in [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - God's Commission to Isaiah"), presents a complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While the prophecy states, "lest they should see... and I should heal them," implying a divine purpose in their hardening, the language also emphasizes the people's active role: "their eyes have they closed." This suggests that God, in His justice, allows or "gives over" those who persistently and willfully reject His truth to the consequences of their own choices. He doesn't force them to be blind, but if they choose blindness, He may confirm them in it, preventing further light from reaching them for their judgment. This dynamic is also seen in [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24-28 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over"), where God "gives them over" to their depraved minds after they suppress the truth. Ultimately, while God's sovereign plan is at work, the immediate cause of their spiritual insensitivity is their own deliberate rejection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:27, though a somber pronouncement of spiritual hardening, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the perpetuation of blindness but in the radical reversal offered by Jesus Christ. He is the one who came to open blind eyes and deaf ears, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Eyes of the Blind Opened"). Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus encountered the very spiritual insensitivity described in this verse, lamenting over Jerusalem's unwillingness to be gathered ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). Yet, He also offered the antidote: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World")). The "healing" that the people in Acts 28:27 resisted is precisely the spiritual restoration and reconciliation with God that Jesus accomplished through His atoning work on the cross. He became the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering conversion and healing to all who turn to Him in faith. Thus, while the verse speaks of a people who would not be converted and healed, it implicitly points to the Savior who makes conversion and healing possible for all who believe, demonstrating that God's ultimate desire is not judgment, but redemption through His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.