Taberî interprets this verse as referring to the concealment by the People of the Book (Jewish scholars) of information written in the Torah about the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad, and their hiding this in exchange for a small bribe. The expression 'small price' in the verse refers to the small worldly benefit (bribe) they received in exchange for concealing this truth. The expression that Allah will not speak to them or look upon them is explained as meaning that He will not address them in a way they would like and will not turn toward them with mercy, but rather indicates His anger and hatred.

هم أهل الكتاب كتموا ما أنزل الله عليهم وبين لهم من الحق والهدى من بعث محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وأمره

According to this exegete, the verse requires the explanation of religious sciences to people and condemns their concealment; furthermore, the expression 'does not purify them' means that Allah does not praise them, does not purify them through the forgiveness of their sins, and does not commend them as He does His close friends. The expression 'does not speak to them' should not be understood as absolute silence but rather should be restricted to mean not speaking with beneficial and good speech, since there is evidence in other parts of the verse that He does speak to them.

والجواب أن يحمل قوله أي لا يكلمهم بالكلام الطيب النافع ، وعلى هذا التقدير يزول التناقض

According to Kurtubî, this verse describes Jewish scholars who concealed the description of Prophet Muhammad in the Torah and the truth of his prophethood. The expression in the verse 'they eat nothing but fire in their bellies' refers to the fact that the bribes they took are unlawful and will lead them to the fire, or in a metaphorical sense, not in the literal sense, their bellies will turn into actual fire on the Day of Resurrection. Allah's not speaking to them and not looking upon them is an expression of His anger toward them and the cutting off of His pleasure.

ومعنى إلا النار أي إنه حرام يعذبهم الله عليه بالنار فسمى ما أكلوه من الرشاء نارا لأنه يؤديهم إلى النار هكذا قال أكثر المفسرين وقيل : أي إنه يعاقبهم على كتمانهم بأكل النار في جهنم حقيقة

According to Ibn Kesîr, this verse refers to the Jews who, although they knew the descriptions of Prophet Muhammad in the books they possessed and the testimonies regarding his prophethood and mission, concealed this knowledge. They concealed the truth in order not to lose their positions and the gifts/favors they received from the Arabs, and thus sold guidance for a small benefit; for this reason they suffered loss both in this world and in the Hereafter.

يعني اليهود الذين كتموا صفة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم في كتبهم التي بأيديهم مما تشهد له بالرسالة والنبوة فكتموا ذلك لئلا تذهب رياستهم وما كانوا يأخذونه من العرب من الهدايا والتحف على تعظيمهم آباءهم

According to Beydâvî, those who conceal what Allah has sent down from the Book and sell it for a worthless price will have fire in their bellies to eat, which means either that the unlawful gains from bribes in this world are contaminated with fire (likened to a bribe-taker eating blood), or that they will actually eat fire in the Hereafter. Allah's not speaking to them is interpreted as an expression of their being deprived of the favors He shows to those close to Him, and His not purifying them means that good words are not spoken about them. Furthermore, the expression 'fema asberehüm alen-nâr' expresses wonder at their engaging in actions that require fire without showing any hesitation.

ولا يكلمهم الله يوم القيامة عبارة عن غضبه عليهم