King James Version

What Does Acts 28:27 Mean?

Acts 28:27 in the King James Version says “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest t... — study this verse from Acts chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 28:27 · KJV


Context

25

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

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.

28

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

29

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.


Commentary

KJV Study 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual 'dullness' might you be cultivating by avoiding uncomfortable biblical truth?
  2. How does understanding judicial hardening inform your evangelism to those who persistently reject the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
ἐπαχύνθη1 of 34

is waxed gross

G3975

to thicken, i.e., (by implication) to fatten (figuratively, stupefy or render callous)

γὰρ2 of 34

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

3 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ4 of 34

the heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

τοῦ5 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαοῦ6 of 34

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

τούτου7 of 34

of this

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

καὶ8 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς9 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὠσὶν10 of 34

ears

G3775

the ear (physically or mentally)

βαρέως11 of 34

are dull

G917

heavily (figuratively)

ἀκούσωσιν12 of 34

hear

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ13 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς14 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμοῖς15 of 34

eyes

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

αὐτούς16 of 34

their

G846

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

ἐκάμμυσαν·17 of 34

have they closed

G2576

to shut down, i.e., close the eyes

μήποτε18 of 34

lest

G3379

not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)

ἴδωσιν19 of 34

they should see

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τοῖς20 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμοῖς21 of 34

eyes

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

καὶ22 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς23 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὠσὶν24 of 34

ears

G3775

the ear (physically or mentally)

ἀκούσωσιν25 of 34

hear

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ26 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῇ27 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ28 of 34

the heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

συνῶσιν29 of 34

understand

G4920

to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously

καὶ30 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπιστρέψωσιν31 of 34

should be converted

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

καὶ32 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰάσωμαι33 of 34

I should heal

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

αὐτούς34 of 34

their

G846

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 28:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 28:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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