God invites everyone to draw near and truly hear His message.
Luke records the Apostle Paul quoting the words of Isaiah as he speaks to a group of Jews in Rome, saying, “Go to this people and say, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;’” (Acts 28:26). In this moment, Paul concludes his teaching on the kingdom of God and the hope of Israel, explaining that those who reject Jesus are fulfilling this ancient prophetic warning. Paul himself was in Rome around AD 60 as a prisoner, having told the Jewish leaders there that he was “wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel” (Acts 28:20).
By quoting this verse, Paul draws from Isaiah 6:9, originally proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah sometime between 740-680 BC. Isaiah’s message foretold that many in Israel would hear God’s words without comprehending them, and see His works without truly perceiving their significance. Jesus referenced the same prophecy in the Gospels (Matthew 13:14-15), highlighting how a hardened heart can render an individual unable to receive the truth. Paul’s reference here indicates that God’s message of salvation, though destined for all nations, requires a willing and responsive heart in order to produce lasting change.
This quotation in Acts underscores a central theme in Scripture: it is possible to encounter God’s truth repeatedly yet remain spiritually unchanged. Even so, Paul continues to proclaim that the gospel is for anyone who embraces it, whether Jew or Gentile, reminding believers that God desires hearts eager to understand and obey.
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Acts 28:26 meaning
Luke records the Apostle Paul quoting the words of Isaiah as he speaks to a group of Jews in Rome, saying, “Go to this people and say, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;’” (Acts 28:26). In this moment, Paul concludes his teaching on the kingdom of God and the hope of Israel, explaining that those who reject Jesus are fulfilling this ancient prophetic warning. Paul himself was in Rome around AD 60 as a prisoner, having told the Jewish leaders there that he was “wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel” (Acts 28:20).
By quoting this verse, Paul draws from Isaiah 6:9, originally proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah sometime between 740-680 BC. Isaiah’s message foretold that many in Israel would hear God’s words without comprehending them, and see His works without truly perceiving their significance. Jesus referenced the same prophecy in the Gospels (Matthew 13:14-15), highlighting how a hardened heart can render an individual unable to receive the truth. Paul’s reference here indicates that God’s message of salvation, though destined for all nations, requires a willing and responsive heart in order to produce lasting change.
This quotation in Acts underscores a central theme in Scripture: it is possible to encounter God’s truth repeatedly yet remain spiritually unchanged. Even so, Paul continues to proclaim that the gospel is for anyone who embraces it, whether Jew or Gentile, reminding believers that God desires hearts eager to understand and obey.