Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 36:11-16

"And when Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of Jehovah, he went down into the king`s house, into the scribe`s chamber: and, lo, all the princes were sitting there, [to wit], Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes. Then Micaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thy hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them. And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears. Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words." — Jeremiah 36:11-16 (ASV)

Here, the declaration to the princes is given.

1. Concerning the writing of the prophecy and making its meaning known to the princes: and Micaiah related to them. Let him who hears say, Come (Revelation 22:17).
2. The petition for the writing: all the princes, therefore, sent . . . to Baruch, saying, ‘Take the scroll, from which you read in the hearing of the people, in your hand’—mystically, this means in operation. Whatever your hand is able to do, do it with earnestness; for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge will be in the underworld, to which you are hastening (Ecclesiastes 9:10). The bringing of the scroll: therefore, Baruch took the scroll.
3. The recitation of the writing: and they said to him, ‘Sit, and read these things in our ears.’ For I have not hesitated to declare the whole plan of God to you (Acts 20:27).

Finally, the effect of the reading is described: therefore, when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear. This recalls the scripture: Are not my words like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer breaking down the rock? (Jeremiah 23:29).