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.
Acts 28:27 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "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." emphasizes the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people being described. The people's hearts have become hardened, making it difficult for them to truly listen, see, and understand the messages being conveyed to them. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of closing oneself off from the truth and turning away from God's teachings. By shutting themselves off from seeing, hearing, and understanding the teachings, they are preventing themselves from experiencing conversion and healing. It serves as a call to be open-hearted, attentive, and receptive to the messages of faith in order to grow spiritually and experience healing in their relationship with God.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people being described. The phrase "the heart of this people is waxed gross" emphasizes the hardening of their hearts towards God's message. Their ears are dull of hearing, indicating their unwillingness to listen and understand the truth. The closing of their eyes symbolizes their deliberate ignorance and refusal to see the light of God's word. The verse concludes with a reminder of the consequences of their spiritual condition: they are prevented from perceiving the truth in order to deter them from repentance and healing. In essence, this verse serves as a warning about the dangers of spiritual apathy and the importance of having open hearts, ears, and eyes to receive God's message. By exploring the deeper meanings behind the words used in this verse, we can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of being spiritually receptive and responsive to God's teachings.
Acts 28:27 in other translations
American Standard Version
For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.
World English Bible
For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.’
Douay-Rheims
For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily and their eyes they have shut, lest perhaps 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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For the heart of this people is waxed fatte, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes haue they winked, least they shoulde see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and vnderstand with their heartes, and should returne that I might heale them.