John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 36:25

"Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll; but he would not hear them." — Jeremiah 36:25 (ASV)

The Prophet heightens the king's wickedness by this circumstance: three men opposed him, even though by doing so they subjected themselves to great danger. They saw that the king was carried away by his violent temper; and since he resisted God so insolently, what would he not have dared to do to them? That they nevertheless did not hesitate to intercede with him was an instance of great courage. But from this it appears that, because the king did not heed their counsel, his impiety was extreme.

The particle וגם ugam, should be rendered nevertheless. Many interpreters have not paid attention here to what is emphatic and have therefore distorted the Prophet's meaning, or at least diminished it, so as not to represent faithfully the Prophet's intention; for there is, as I have said, a very emphatic exaggeration in the word Nevertheless.

Let us learn from this passage that when God draws us back from wicked designs, we are less excusable if we persevere in carrying out what He clearly shows should not be done. Conscience will indeed always be to us like a thousand witnesses. Even if no one is present as a witness, advisor, or monitor, we will still try in vain to escape before God by pretending ignorance, mistake, or lack of thought.

But when the Lord calls us back through men, so that we do not continue in evil ways, if we are not persuaded to desist, then our incorrigible perverseness is more fully revealed, according to what the Prophet intimates here. In short, let us understand that anyone sins more gravely the more means God employs to draw him back from his evil course.

Since, then, we see how obstinate Jehoiakim was, there is no reason for us to wonder that many today continue presumptuously in their course, though God, as it were, checks them, or at least sends men to restrain them. Let us, then, understand that it is an old evil, so that we should not be disturbed by such presumptuous contempt from the ungodly.

Let us also notice the example given here of a bold admonition. For it is something like a miracle to find those today in the courts of princes who are bold enough to remonstrate when there is much danger. As has been stated before, everyone is ingenious in devising ways to flatter; and since this is the best and shortest way to advancement, all diligently apply themselves to this art.

The Prophet had indeed said that the king and his counselors did not rend their garments, yet he now tells us of three who openly professed that they feared God. But when he spoke before of all the princes, we must understand him as speaking of them as a collective body. The three mentioned now must therefore be considered exceptions. There is no doubt that they incurred the displeasure of all the other courtiers, who were opposed to them, since those courtiers must have been ashamed of their own negligence. But these three dared to draw upon themselves the displeasure of both the king and all the rest, for they saw that it was God’s cause.