Acts 28:27
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπαχύνθη
is waxed gross
G3975
ἐπαχύνθη
is waxed gross
Strong's:
G3975
Word #:
1 of 34
to thicken, i.e., (by implication) to fatten (figuratively, stupefy or render callous)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 34
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
the heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
the heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
4 of 34
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαοῦ
people
G2992
λαοῦ
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
6 of 34
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοῖς
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοῖς
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
15 of 34
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
αὐτούς
their
G846
αὐτούς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἴδωσιν
they should see
G1492
ἴδωσιν
they should see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
19 of 34
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοῖς
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοῖς
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
21 of 34
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
the heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
the heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
28 of 34
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
συνῶσιν
understand
G4920
συνῶσιν
understand
Strong's:
G4920
Word #:
29 of 34
to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
30 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπιστρέψωσιν
should be converted
G1994
ἐπιστρέψωσιν
should be converted
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
31 of 34
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
32 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Acts concludes (AD 61-62) with Paul under house arrest, teaching all who came (28:30-31). His final statement to Roman Jewish leaders explained why Gentiles predominantly filled the church. Isaiah's prophecy provided biblical framework for understanding Israel's rejection and Gentile inclusion in God's purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual 'dullness' might you be cultivating by avoiding uncomfortable biblical truth?
- How does understanding judicial hardening inform your evangelism to those who persistently reject the gospel?
Analysis & Commentary
For the heart of this people is waxed gross (ἐπαχύνθη, epachynthē, 'has become dull/thickened')—Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10, Jesus' most-cited Old Testament text explaining Jewish rejection. The triple problem—gross hearts, dull ears, closed eyes—depicts willful spiritual insensitivity, not divine causation. Lest they should see... and hear... and understand... and should be converted, and I should heal them.
This 'lest' (μήποτε, mēpote) is tragic irony: they avoid healing by rejecting the means of healing. The Greek ἐπιστρέψωσιν (epistrepsōsin, 'be converted') means 'turn back'—they refused the very repentance that would bring God's healing. Paul's final word to Roman Jews diagnosed their fatal pattern: the veil remains when Christ is rejected (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).