Isaiah's hearing warning in Rome
As some of Rome's Jewish leaders refuse to believe, Paul says that the Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah and quotes the warning about hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving.
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has grown callous; 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.’ Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Isaiah 6:9-10 commissions Isaiah to speak to a people who hear without understanding and see without perceiving; Acts 28:25-27 names Isaiah and quotes that warning before Paul announces that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles.