Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 36:16-21

"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. And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth? Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book. Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye are. And they went in to the king into the court; but they had laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe; and they told all the words in the ears of the king. So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll; and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes that stood beside the king." — Jeremiah 36:16-21 (ASV)

Here, the declaration to the king is given.

1. He speaks of the preparation of the declaration, as they propose to announce it: we must tell, because the king is able to correct the sins of the people. The king who sits upon the throne of judgment scatters every evil thing with his gaze (Proverbs 20:8).

   They examine the manner in which the book was written. For this reason, a question is first posed: and they inquired of him, saying, ‘Tell us, how did you write all these words from his mouth?’ This was so that from the manner of its writing, they might know whether it was produced by the Spirit of God. Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

   And the response is given: and Baruch said to them, ‘He spoke from his mouth as if reading,’ doing so without hesitation or premeditation. Do not consider how, or what you are to say, for it will be given to you in that hour what you are to say; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you (Matthew 10:19). Above: behold I have given my words in your mouth (Jeremiah 1:9).

   And the advice to hide is given: hide, fearing the obstinacy and cruelty of the king. Has it not been told to you my lord what I did, when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, that I hid of the prophets of the Lord a hundred men, by fifties in caves, and fed them with bread and water? And now you say, ‘Go and say to your lord, “Elijah is here,”’ that he may kill me? (1 Kings 18:13–14).

2. The declaration is given: and they went in. To you, therefore, O kings, that you should learn wisdom, lest you perish .

3. The text is read aloud: and the king sent Jehudi; and when I sat as a king with his army round about, I was nonetheless a comforter of those who mourn (Job 29:25).