Acts 28:27

This powerful verse, quoted by the Apostle Paul from the prophet Isaiah, encapsulates a somber truth about spiritual resistance. It describes the condition of those who deliberately choose to ignore divine revelation, leading to a profound spiritual insensitivity.

Context

The Apostle Paul, under house arrest in Rome, was diligently proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. In Acts 28:23, we read that he spent an entire day explaining the Kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Despite his passionate appeal, a significant portion of the Jewish community remained unconvinced. This verse, Acts 28:27, is Paul’s concluding, sorrowful assessment, directly quoting Isaiah 6:9-10. It highlights the recurring pattern throughout biblical history where God's people, despite clear revelation, harden their hearts against His truth.

Key Themes

• Spiritual Insensitivity: The phrase "waxed gross" signifies a spiritual dullness or obesity, where the heart becomes unresponsive to God's Word. This is not a passive state but often a result of repeated rejection.
• Deliberate Rejection: The active choice to "close their eyes" and make their "ears dull" indicates a willful refusal to perceive or acknowledge spiritual truth. It’s a conscious decision to remain in ignorance rather than confront challenging realities.
• Consequences of Unbelief: The verse explicitly states the reason for this hardening: "lest they should see... hear... understand... be converted, and I should heal them." The consequence of this deliberate resistance is the inability to experience spiritual transformation and divine healing. This reflects a profound spiritual separation.
• Divine Judgment and Human Responsibility: While God's judgment is evident in allowing this hardening, the emphasis here is on human culpability. The people *chose* to close their eyes, illustrating the principle of God giving people over to their own hardened desires.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "waxed gross" (Greek: epachynthē) means to become fat, heavy, or dull. It conveys a sense of insensitivity or spiritual obesity, where the heart is weighed down and unreceptive. Similarly, "dull of hearing" (Greek: bareōs ēkousan) implies a difficulty or heaviness in hearing, suggesting that they hear but do not truly perceive or understand. The active voice in "their eyes have they closed" (Greek: tous ophthalmous autōn ekammysan) emphasizes a deliberate, volitional act. It's not that they *cannot* see, but that they *choose not to*. This active closing off prevents the possibility of spiritual vision, understanding, and ultimately, conversion and healing from God.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning against spiritual apathy and the dangers of repeatedly resisting God's truth. It challenges us to examine our own hearts:

• Maintain an Open Heart: We must cultivate a receptive heart and mind to God's Word, continuously seeking to understand and obey it. Spiritual growth requires humility and a willingness to be challenged and changed.
• Respond to Truth: When confronted with biblical truth, our response determines our spiritual trajectory. Delaying or ignoring spiritual conviction can lead to a gradual hardening, making it increasingly difficult to hear God's voice.
• Seek Conversion and Healing: The ultimate desire of God is for people to "be converted" (turn around) and for Him to "heal them" (spiritually and holistically). This reminds us that true healing comes through genuine repentance and faith in Christ, as described in 1 Peter 2:24, where Christ bore our sins that we might be healed.