Acts 28

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

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,

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

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.

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

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

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

What does Acts 28:26 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 28:26 comes from the last chapter of the Book of Acts, where the Apostle Paul quotes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Paul uses this citation to highlight the spiritual stubbornness and lack of understanding among the Jewish people, as it pertains to the message of Christ.

The verse literally implies that the audience can hear the words being spoken to them, and they can see the deeds associated with the message, but they do not comprehend or accept the deeper spiritual truth and significance of what they are experiencing.

The "hearing" and "seeing" are functional, but the spiritual perception necessary to internalize and act on these senses is lacking.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 28:26 is set toward the end of Paul's missionary journeys.

At this point, Paul has reached Rome and is speaking to the Jewish leaders there.

He encounters skepticism and disbelief from some in his audience when he preaches about Jesus being the promised Messiah, and so he quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that their response was anticipated in the Jewish Scriptures.

The verse Paul quotes is from Isaiah 6:9, which is part of Isaiah's commissioning by God. Isaiah was given a message for the people of Israel, who, like the audience in Paul's time, would be characterized by a lack of spiritual perception and responsiveness.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse reflects the concept of a 'hardened heart,' where people are unreceptive to God's message.

It illustrates the idea of God's judgment on those who consistently reject His revelations, eventually, they become so desensitized that even the clearest truths fail to penetrate their hearts.

The verse is also seen as demonstrating the concept of divine sovereignty versus human responsibility.

Some theological traditions examine this verse to discuss God's role in hardening hearts, while others emphasize the human role in choosing to resist God's message.

Practical Applications

Practically, Acts 28:26 serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and resistance to truth.

It suggests that constant refusal to listen to and act on spiritual truths can lead to a state where one becomes numb to guidance.

For believers today, it encourages self-examination and openness to the teachings of scripture, with an emphasis on the importance of not only hearing but also understanding and living out those teachings.

Cross-References

Isaiah 6:9 - "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not."
Matthew 13:14-15 - "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive..."
Mark 4:12 - "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

Language Study

The key phrases in the original Greek text of Acts 28:26 are "ἀκούω" (akouō, to hear), "συνίημι" (syniēmi, to understand), "βλέπω" (blepō, to see), and "αἰσθάνομαι" (aisthanomai, to perceive or be aware).

The passage emphasizes the act of hearing and seeing without the inner perception or understanding that should accompany these senses.

The repetition and parallel structure in Greek emphasize the tragic irony of the situation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse has parallels in other cultural and religious dialogues about the unwillingness or inability of people to understand deeper truths.

For instance, in some Buddhist teachings, the idea of spiritual blindness is explored, where individuals may be caught up in illusion and thus fail to see the path to enlightenment.

Similarly, in Hinduism, maya is the concept of the world as an illusion that obscures the true divine reality.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, Acts 28:26 might be examined in light of studies on cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias, psychological terms that describe the tendency of people to favor information that confirms their beliefs and to ignore or misinterpret information that contradicts them.

It also touches on cognitive psychology regarding how beliefs and attitudes can affect the processing of new information.

Commentaries

Commentators on Acts 28:26 often focus on the frustration Paul might have felt as his message was met with resistance.

Some, like John Calvin, see the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy as a sober warning to all believers about the consequences of ignoring God's word.

Matthew Henry comments on the patience and sadness necessary when delivering a message such as Paul's, knowing that it may not be received with understanding.

These commentaries often discuss the mysterious interplay between divine sovereignty and human response in the unfolding of God's plan revealed in scripture.

Acts 28

Acts 28

What does Acts 28:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 28:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?