Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 37:10-11

"For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yea would they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire. And it came to pass that, when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh`s army," — Jeremiah 37:10-11 (ASV)

1. Here, he speaks of the occasion for his action: and there divide his property, which he had purchased—that is, to mark it out from the other fields or to distribute it to others, so that he could remain free from care. As having nothing, and possessing all things (2 Corinthians 6:10).

^37:12a And when he had arrived at the gate of Benjamin, guards were there in turns, by the name of Jeriah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah.

2. Here, the false suspicion is presented. False witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity has lied to itself (Psalms 26:12).

^37:12b And they seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, ‘Are you fleeing to the Chaldeans?’

3. Here, the persecution is described in three ways.

   In his capture: They have chased and taken (Lamentations 3:52).

   In his flogging: the princes struck him (Jeremiah 37:14). Likewise Acts 8. They suffered mockeries, and stripes (Hebrews 11:36).

   And in his imprisonment: and so Jeremiah entered the house of the pit. I am reckoned with those that go down into the pit (Psalms 87:5). The workhouse—this is also properly a prison in which someone is condemned to some type of labor.

Second, his liberation is described. Concerning this, there are three points.

1. The occasion of his liberation is presented: do you think that there is a word from the Lord?, which predicts the future, that has been revealed to you. Should not the people seek a vision of their God for the living and the dead? (Isaiah 8:19). And he gives the response: and Jeremiah said. But I have been sent to you as a bearer of hard news (1 Kings 14:6).

2. The request for freedom is presented: and Jeremiah said to the king. Here, he shows his unjust punishment: how have I sinned? You shall not find iniquity in my tongue, nor shall foolishness go forth from my mouth (Job 6:30).

   He clears himself of the guilt with which he has been charged: where are your prophets? It is as if he were saying, “Their falsehood and my truthfulness are now evident.” For the army of the Chaldeans had already returned, which they had denied would come back. From above: the prophet who foretold peace, when his word came to pass, he was known as a prophet whom the Lord had sent in truth (Jeremiah 28:9).

   And he asks for mercy: now, therefore, hear, I beg you. A soft answer breaks wrath, but a hard word stirs up fury (Proverbs 15:1). A sweet word multiplies friends, and softens enemies; and a gracious tongue shall abound in a good man .

3. The granting of the request is mentioned: therefore, king Zedekiah commanded that Jeremiah should be handed over to the courtyard of the prison, and that he should be given loaves of bread every day, without condiment, which he did not want to be added; in the vestibule, that is, in the courtyard.