Acts 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:
Original Language Analysis
λέγον
Saying
G3004
λέγον
Saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Πορεύθητι
Go
G4198
Πορεύθητι
Go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
2 of 21
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
people
G2992
λαὸν
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
5 of 21
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐ
G3756
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
13 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
συνῆτε
shall
G4920
συνῆτε
shall
Strong's:
G4920
Word #:
14 of 21
to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Ezekiel 12:2Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.Mark 4:12That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.Luke 8:10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.Luke 24:45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,Luke 24:25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.Isaiah 66:4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.Isaiah 29:10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.Jeremiah 5:21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:Deuteronomy 29:4Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
Historical Context
Isaiah 6:9-10 was spoken around 740 BC after Isaiah's throne-room vision. God warned that Israel would reject prophetic ministry, hardening under prolonged exposure to divine truth. By Paul's time (AD 60), seven centuries of prophetic witness had culminated in rejecting the Messiah himself, confirming Isaiah's prediction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does repeated exposure to biblical truth without obedience lead to spiritual hardening rather than growth?
- What safeguards prevent you from 'hearing but not understanding' when God's Word is preached?
Analysis & Commentary
Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand (ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε)—The Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute + finite verb) intensifies meaning: 'You will indeed hear but never understand.' This describes judicial hardening—God gives people over to their chosen blindness (Romans 1:24-28). Seeing ye shall see, and not perceive (βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε)—Physical senses function but spiritual perception fails. Isaiah witnessed this after his temple vision (Isaiah 6:1-13); Israel would experience sensory exposure to God's word without heart-transformation.
Jesus applied this to his parables (Matthew 13:14-15), explaining why he taught in stories—to reveal truth to disciples while concealing it from hardened hearts. Paul now uses it to explain Jewish rejection of Messiah. The tragedy isn't lack of evidence but willful blindness. They possessed Scriptures and saw miracles yet refused to believe, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.