Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 20:2

"Then Pashhur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Jehovah." — Jeremiah 20:2 (ASV)

Jeremiah the prophet - Jeremiah is nowhere called this in the first 19 chapters. In this place, he characterizes himself in this way because Pashur’s conduct was a violation of the respect due to the prophetic office.

The stocks - This instrument of torture comes from a root meaning “twist.” It therefore implies that the body was kept in a distorted position. Compare Acts 16:24.

The high gate ... - Rather, “the upper gate of Benjamin in the house of Yahweh (compare 2 Kings 15:35)”; to be distinguished from the city gate of Benjamin leading toward the north.