What does the prophecy of Isaiah to hear but never understand, and to see but never perceive refer to?
These words from Isaiah 6:9–10 are cited in several places in the New Testament, each time specifically referring to the Jews: Matthew 13:14; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; and Acts 28:26–27. The quotation exactly matches the Septuagint’s rendering of the passage. Worldly thinking and materialism had blinded the people since Isaiah’s day (Isaiah 5:8–24), as they did in Jesus’ day. The people rejected the truth. The Greek word anaplērōis, which the ESV renders as fulfilled, literally means to fill completely,
implying that this prophecy had been partially fulfilled during Isaiah’s day, but that here in Jesus’ day, it found its complete fulfillment (see Romans 11:8).
God told Isaiah that most would not heed the preaching, and that only a small remnant would be saved. What Isaiah experienced back then would now, even more so, be seen in Jesus’ preaching (see Isaiah 53:1). This is the final time where God comes to Israel in his covenant love, yet only a few will repent (see Matthew 13:16), while for most, the preaching in parables will condemn them.
These words from Isaiah 6:9–10 are also cited in several places in the New Testament, every time specifically with reference to the Jews: Matthew 13:14; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; and Acts 28:26–27. The quotation corresponds word for word with the Septuagint’s rendering of the passage. Worldly thinking and materialism had blinded the people since the time of Isaiah (Isaiah 5:8–24), and so it was also in the days of Jesus. The people did not want to hear the truth. The Greek word anaplērōis, which the ESV translates as fulfilled, literally means to fill completely.
This word indicates that this prophecy had already been partially fulfilled during the time of Isaiah, but that here in the time of Jesus it found its complete fulfillment (see Romans 11:8).1
When God called Isaiah, the prophet was already told that the people as a whole would not heed the preaching, and that only a small remnant would be preserved. What Isaiah experienced back then would now, in even greater measure, be seen in the preaching of Jesus (see Isaiah 53:1). This is the final occasion where God approaches Israel as covenant people, yet only a small part will repent (see Matthew 13:16), while for the great multitude even the preaching in parables will prove not to their benefit but rather to their condemnation. The citation draws a sharp contrast: the fullness of God’s revelation will be seen and heard, yet the response will be sinful.2
14 Et pour eux s'accomplit cette prophétie d'Esaïe:Vous entendrez de vos oreilles, et vous ne comprendrez point;Vous regarderez de vos yeux, et vous ne verrez point.