John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 8:11

"And they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." — Jeremiah 8:11 (ASV)

The Prophet repeats what we have noticed in the sixth chapter, but it was necessary to reiterate often to the deaf and the sluggish what had already been forgotten or what had not touched their hearts. As these things have already been explained, I will now only refer briefly to the main points.

He undoubtedly condemns here the priests and the prophets. He previously spoke generally of the whole people, "from the least," he said, "to the greatest." But as, to amplify, he had specifically mentioned the prophets and the priests as engaged in fraudulent dealings, he now especially condemns them, not only for gravely offending God but also for deceiving others by their flatteries, as though they were allowed to sin with impunity.

It is, indeed, an inexcusable crime for those who should lead others to be just as wicked as the common people; for they not only by their example but also by their doctrine corrupt the whole community, and thus they increase the evil twofold. It was therefore an intolerable impiety when they were so presumptuous as to spread those falsehoods by which they led the people to despise God and his law. Thus, he says, that they healed the wound of the people, while God was still showing signs of his wrath. And he speaks, as it has been said elsewhere, by way of concession, as if he had said that they were very foolish physicians in applying plasters to cover the wrath of God.

Behold, he says, they have healed the wound of my people, saying, Peace, peace. By mentioning the word twice, the Prophet shows more clearly how profound their complacency was, for they deceived the people not only once but proceeded obstinately in the work of deceiving the wretched people by their false promises. He adds, When there was no peace. This may be taken in two ways: that God by the outcome exposed their madness, or that when there was no prosperity, they still fallaciously promised peace. As God elsewhere complains that the prophets flattered the people, so he does here; such sentences we have already often explained. He then adds—