How does Isaiah's prophecy in Acts 28:26 relate to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels?

Isaiah’s Warning Repeated in Acts 28:26

“ ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” ’ ” (Acts 28:26)

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Jesus Echoes Isaiah in the Gospels

• Matthew 13:13–15

• Mark 4:11–12

• Luke 8:10

All three passages quote Isaiah 6:9–10 almost word-for-word, showing perfect harmony between Jesus’ teaching and the Spirit-inspired words Paul spoke in Acts 28.

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Shared Themes between Isaiah, Jesus, and Paul

• Hardened hearts: refusal to respond despite clear revelation (Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:15)

• Responsibility and judgment: continual rejection brings divine hardening (Mark 4:12)

• Spiritual blindness vs. illumination: truth concealed from the willfully resistant yet revealed to the humble (Luke 8:10)

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Why Jesus Spoke in Parables (Matthew 13:10–17)

• To reveal kingdom mysteries to believing disciples

• To fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy of a people dull of hearing

• To invite repentance while exposing unbelief

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Paul’s Use of Isaiah in Acts 28

• Marks the climax of Israel’s corporate rejection of the gospel in Acts

• Opens the door for the message to go “to the Gentiles, and they will listen” (Acts 28:28)

• Demonstrates the literal fulfillment of prophecy across centuries

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Supporting Passages that Reinforce the Pattern

• John 12:37–41—John links Israel’s unbelief in Jesus directly to Isaiah 6

• Romans 11:7–10—Paul again cites Isaiah to explain partial hardening

• 2 Corinthians 3:14–16—the veil lifted in Christ for those who turn to Him

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Implications for Today’s Reader

• Hearing is not merely physical; obedient faith is required (James 1:22)

• Persistent rejection leads to increased blindness; urgent repentance is essential (Hebrews 3:7–15)

• God’s faithfulness stands—He foreknew Israel’s response and still offers salvation to all who believe (Romans 1:16)

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Key Takeaway

Isaiah’s ancient prophecy, restated by Jesus and later by Paul, forms a single, unbroken testimony: when people harden their hearts against God’s clear revelation, He confirms that hardness—yet graciously keeps the door open for every repentant listener, Jew or Gentile alike.