Jeremiah 20:8
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For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Such plain dealing as Jeremiah used in the foregoing chapter, one might easily foresee, if it did not convince and humble men, would provoke and exasperate them; and so it did; for here we find, I. Jeremiah persecuted by Pashur for preaching that sermon (Jer 20:1, Jer 20:2). II. Pashur threatened for so doing, and the word which Jeremiah had preached confirmed (Jer 20:3-6). III. Jeremiah complaining to God concerning it, and the other instances of hard measure that he had since he began to be a prophet, and the grievous temptations he had struggled with (Jer 20:7-10), encouraging himself in God, lodging his appeal with him, not doubting but that he shall yet praise him, by which it appears that he had much grace (Jer 20:11-13) and yet peevishly cursing the day of his birth (Jer 20:14-18), by which it appears that he had sad remainders of corruption in him too, and was a man subject to like passions as we are.
Open source ↗20:8-9 Jeremiah found it impossible not to speak the words of God’s judgment, even though his messages turned him into a household joke (cp. Job 32:18-20; Ps 39:1-3; Acts 4:18-20).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.
Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.
He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
One of the experts in the law told Him, “Teacher, when You say these things, You insult us as well.”
The prophets of old who preceded you and me prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,