ACTS 28:27 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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.”
'For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' - The continuation of Isaiah 6:9-10 deepens the diagnosis: hardened 'heart' (kardia, kardia-the center of understanding), dull 'ears' (ōta, ōta-'ears'), and 'closed eyes' (ophthalmos, ophthalmos-eyes that might see). Yet the verse's structure shows conditionality: 'otherwise they might...turn, and I would heal them' (epistrephō...iaomai, epistrephō...iaomai-'turn...heal'). Hardening is not predetermined but responsive to Israel's rejection of the gospel. Healing remains possible if they 'turn.' The quote moves from diagnosis to potential remedy-a remedy that Paul himself offers by his presence and proclamation.
Church Fathers on Acts 28:27
both out of the Law of Moses, and out of the Prophets. And some believed, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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