(4) Jeremiah came in and went out among the people.--The statement is made in reference to the event narrated in Jeremiah 37:15. He was free when the king's message came to him: it was his answer to that message that led to his imprisonment.
Verse 4. - Now Jeremiah came in and went out, etc. Had he been a prisoner, an embassy of high officials could not, with propriety, have been sent to him (comp. ver. 17; Jeremiah 38:14).
37:1-10 Numbers witness the fatal effects of other men's sins, yet heedlessly step into their places, and follow the same destructive course. When in distress, we ought to desire the prayers of ministers and Christian friends. And it is common for those to desire to be prayed for, who will not be advised; yet sinners are often hardened by a pause in judgments. But if God help us not, no creature can. Whatever instruments God has determined to use, they shall do the work, though they seem unlikely.
Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people,.... Was at full liberty, and could go out of the city, and come in, when he pleased; or go into any part of it, and converse with the people, and prophesy to them; which he could not do in the latter part of Jehoiakim's reign, who sent persons after him and Baruch to take them, and they were obliged to hide themselves, yea, the Lord hid them, Jeremiah 36:19; but now he was under no restraint, as least as yet:
for they had not put him into prison; not yet; they afterwards did, Jeremiah 37:15.
for they had not put him into prison; not yet; they afterwards did, Jeremiah 37:15.