Jeremiah 26:14-15
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While Jeremiah surrenders himself to their will, "Do with me as seems good and right to you," he immediately follows this by declaring that their actions will have dire consequences. He’s not truly relinquishing control to them, but rather reminding them that even if they do as they please, God is the ultimate judge who will hold them accountable for shedding innocent blood.
But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just delivered a terrifying prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction, leading the priests, prophets, and people to arrest him and demand his death. In his defense before the princes and the people, Jeremiah declares that he was sent by God and can only surrender himself to their judgment, entrusting his fate to their hands. He warns them, however, that if they kill him, they will be guilty of shedding innocent blood, as the Lord has sent him to speak these words.
Jeremiah famously says, 'I am in your hands.' But was he truly powerless? Discover the profound difference between human power and God's ultimate sovereignty.
Jeremiah’s statement, 'I am in your hands,' isn't a sign of weakness or an admission that his enemies had ultimate control. Instead, it's a profound act of humility and faith.
Acknowledging Human Authority
He acknowledges that, in a human sense, his accusers had the power to harm him, imprison him, or even kill him. He's not denying their physical capability.
Trusting Divine Protection
However, this surrender is not one of despair. He's not truly 'in their hands' in an ultimate sense. His life is held by God. The commentary reminds us that even when enemies seem to 'rage,' they can only act within the limits God allows. Jeremiah's willingness to be 'in their hands' demonstrates that his ultimate safety wasn't dependent on their decisions, but on God’s providential care.
Jeremiah doesn't just surrender; he issues a stark warning. What is the weight of shedding innocent blood, and why did God promise to avenge it?
Jeremiah's surrender is coupled with a powerful warning about the consequences of his potential death. He doesn't leave his accusers to their own devices without highlighting the gravity of their actions.
The Weight of Innocent Blood
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By stating, 'you shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city,' Jeremiah points to a deep spiritual and communal accountability. Shedding the blood of a prophet, a messenger sent by God, is not a minor offense. It’s a crime against God Himself and carries severe repercussions for the individuals and the entire community.
God's Promise of Justice
Jeremiah trusts that God will not let such an act go unpunished. He knows that God is the ultimate judge and avenger of His faithful servants. This isn't a threat of personal revenge, but a confident declaration of God's righteous judgment. The commentary highlights that God’s vengeance ensures that His truth and His messengers are not ultimately silenced by wicked men.
Understand the original words
dam naqi · Hebrew Adjective
Moral purity or lack of guilt regarding a specific charge or action; in legal contexts, it refers to not being liable for punishment.
Jeremiah's surrender to the authorities, declaring he is in their hands to do as they see fit, occurs within the context of escalating Babylonian threats and internal political turmoil. His words reflect a profound trust in God's ultimate justice, even as he faces a potentially unjust death at the hands of his own people.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy during the reign of King Josiah, a time of religious reform but also underlying societal issues that would lead to future judgment.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah, a righteous king, is killed in battle. His death marks a turning point, and subsequent kings are less faithful, leading Judah closer to destruction.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins his campaigns, and some Judean elite, including Daniel, are deported to Babylon. This event signals the growing power of Babylon.
c. 598-597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Another deportation occurs after a Judean revolt against Babylon. King Jehoiachin and many more are taken captive, intensifying the pressure on Jerusalem.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Trial in the Temple Courtyard
Jeremiah is brought before the princes and the people in the Temple courtyard after preaching a message of impending destruction and the city's judgment. He boldly proclaims God's message and submits himself to their judgment, warning them of the consequences of shedding innocent blood.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's armies finally conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile the majority of the remaining population to Babylon, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecies.
Like David before Saul, Jeremiah acknowledges his captors have him in their power, but he appeals to a higher authority, God, who will ultimately judge their actions.
Acts 5:29Jeremiah's willingness to submit to human authority, while declaring God's mandate, echoes the apostles' declaration that obedience to God takes precedence over obedience to man.
Matthew 10:28Jeremiah's statement that he is 'in your hands' is tempered by the underlying belief, shared with Jesus' teaching to his disciples, that ultimately only God has the power to truly destroy.
Romans 13:1-7While Jeremiah submits to the authorities, his earlier pronouncements and his warning about shedding innocent blood reveal a complex submission that acknowledges God's authority above the governing authorities.
Job 1:21Similar to Job's lament, Jeremiah's surrender of himself to his captors reflects a profound trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of suffering and potential death.
clarkeJeremiah 26:14: "As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you."
As for me, behold, I am in your hand - I am the messenger of God; you may do with me what you please; but if you slay me, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves.
calvinJeremiah 26:14-15: "As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you."
But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
Veruntamen sciendo seite, quod si vos occideritis me, sanguinem purum (vel, innoxium) vos ponetis super vos et super urbem hanc, et super h…
While Jeremiah surrenders himself to their will, "Do with me as seems good and right to you," he immediately follows this by declaring that their actions will have dire consequences. He’s not truly relinquishing control to them, but rather reminding them that even if they do as they please, God is the ultimate judge who will hold them accountable for shedding innocent blood.
Jeremiah has just delivered a terrifying prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction, leading the priests, prophets, and people to arrest him and demand his death. In his defense before the princes and the people, Jeremiah declares that he was sent by God and can only surrender himself to their judgment, entrusting his fate to their hands. He warns them, however, that if they kill him, they will be guilty of shedding innocent blood, as the Lord has sent him to speak these words.
Jeremiah has just delivered a terrifying prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction, leading the priests, prophets, and people to arrest him and demand his death. In his defense before the princes and the people, Jeremiah declares that he was sent by God and can only surrender himself to their judgment, entrusting his fate to their hands. He warns them, however, that if they kill him, they will be guilty of shedding innocent blood, as the Lord has sent him to speak these words.
"But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the…" — While Jeremiah surrenders himself to their will, "Do with me as seems good and right to you," he immediately follows this by declaring that their actions will have dire consequences. He’s not truly…
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Last reviewed October 2026
