Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's offer to pardon Jerusalem hinges on finding just one person who truly practices justice and seeks truth. This isn't just about a lack of wrongdoers; it highlights the extreme rarity of genuine goodness, suggesting that even a single righteous individual could have been enough to avert judgment.
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is called to search the city of Jerusalem thoroughly, even in its busiest public spaces, to see if he can find even one person who lives justly and seeks truth. God declares that if such a person could be found, the entire city would be pardoned for their sake, echoing the plea made for Sodom but highlighting Jerusalem's even greater corruption. This intense search underscores the utter moral decay and widespread unfaithfulness plaguing the city, suggesting that even a superficial examination would reveal a profound lack of righteousness.
Imagine God launching a city-wide search party. He's looking for just one person, and for that one, He's willing to spare the whole city. What does this tell us about His heart?
God declares He will pardon Jerusalem IF a single person is found who 'executes justice and seeks truth.' This isn't a rigid ultimatum, but a demonstration of His deep desire to show mercy. Even in a city facing severe judgment, His first instinct is to look for any spark of righteousness that could justify extending grace.
This echoes His offer to Sodom, where He would have spared the city for ten righteous souls. The scarcity of justice and truth in Jerusalem makes the situation dire, but the offer itself highlights that God doesn't want to punish. He is actively looking for a reason to forgive, revealing His compassionate nature.
Jerusalem was God's chosen city, yet He commands a frantic search for just one person who embodies justice and truth. Why was this so rare?
The command to 'Run to and fro... look and take note! Search her squares' shows that finding someone who truly 'executes justice and seeks truth' was incredibly difficult in Jerusalem. This wasn't just about outward actions, but an inner commitment.
'Executing justice' implies fairness and righteousness in dealings, particularly within leadership and courts. 'Seeking truth' goes deeper, meaning integrity, honesty, and faithfulness in all things. The commentators suggest that even during periods of outward religious reform, the core of the people, and even leaders, were deeply corrupt. This moral and spiritual decay meant genuine righteousness was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
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God is about to bring destruction, but first, He initiates an intensive search. What does this sequence reveal about His judgment?
God's command to search Jerusalem for a righteous person isn't just about finding mercy; it's also about demonstrating the absolute necessity of judgment. By showing that even a thorough search yields no one to spare the city, God preempts any accusation of unfairness. He proves that their wickedness is so pervasive and incurable that judgment is the only remaining option.
The commentators note that this highlights how God exhausts all avenues before bringing severe consequences. It's a way of vindicating Himself before the whole world, showing that He didn't act rashly. The desperate state of Jerusalem meant that even outward reforms were hollow, and the city's corruption was too deep to avert disaster.
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The administration of what is right, equitable, and fair in accordance with God's law, character, and covenant requirements.
emeth · Hebrew Noun
That which is reliable, faithful, factual, or consistent with God’s own nature and revealed word. In a moral sense, it refers to integrity and faithfulness to the covenant.
salach · Hebrew Verb
To forgive, remit a penalty, or show mercy by sparing from judgment. It implies God's gracious willingness to hold back wrath when repentance or righteousness is found.
The verse is spoken during a period of outward religious reform under Josiah, which quickly unraveled. Jeremiah's message highlights the deep-seated corruption beneath the surface, a decay so profound that not even one truly just person could be found to avert judgment.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Religious Reforms
King Josiah institutes widespread reforms, purging idolatry and centralizing worship in Jerusalem after the discovery of the Book of the Law.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo while opposing Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. His death marks a turning point, leading to instability.
609 BC - 598 BC
Reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim
A period of political turmoil and increasing Egyptian and Babylonian influence. Jehoiakim, installed by Egypt, rules as a vassal and faces Judah's growing corruption.
c. 600 BC - 580 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Ministry in Jerusalem
Jeremiah prophesies during this turbulent era, confronting the people and leadership with their spiritual and moral decay despite outward religious observance.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar besiege Jerusalem, exiling King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens. This event highlights the impending doom.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
After a prolonged siege and a failed rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon.
This passage shows God's willingness to spare Sodom if even ten righteous people could be found, mirroring Jeremiah's search for just one person in Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 22:30Ezekiel speaks of God looking for someone to 'stand in the gap' and intercede, highlighting the same desperate need for righteous individuals in a corrupt society as Jeremiah describes.
Luke 18:8Jesus asks if the Son of Man will find 'faith on earth' when he returns, echoing the sentiment of Jeremiah's search for a single righteous person in a world largely given over to sin.
Philippians 2:15This verse describes believers as 'blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,' a description that stands in stark contrast to the Jerusalem Jeremiah searches.
wesleyJeremiah 5:1: "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it."
5:1 Run - God gives leave to all the earth to look into the state of Jerusalem, by which he vindicates himself in the face of the whole world from all severity towards his people, whatever he brings upon them. In the broad places - Even there, where men meet fr…
barnesJeremiah 5:1: "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it."
The broad places - The open spaces next the gates, and other places of concourse. A man - Or, anyone. That executeth - "That" practiceth. Truth - uprightness, probity (so in Jeremiah 5:3).
God's offer to pardon Jerusalem hinges on finding just one person who truly practices justice and seeks truth. This isn't just about a lack of wrongdoers; it highlights the extreme rarity of genuine goodness, suggesting that even a single righteous individual could have been enough to avert judgment.
Jeremiah is called to search the city of Jerusalem thoroughly, even in its busiest public spaces, to see if he can find even one person who lives justly and seeks truth. God declares that if such a person could be found, the entire city would be pardoned for their sake, echoing the plea made for Sodom but highlighting Jerusalem's even greater corruption. This intense search underscores the utter moral decay and widespread unfaithfulness plaguing the city, suggesting that even a superficial examination would reveal a profound lack of righteousness.
Jeremiah is called to search the city of Jerusalem thoroughly, even in its busiest public spaces, to see if he can find even one person who lives justly and seeks truth. God declares that if such a person could be found, the entire city would be pardoned for their sake, echoing the plea made for Sodom but highlighting Jerusalem's even greater corruption. This intense search underscores the utter moral decay and widespread unfaithfulness plaguing the city, suggesting that even a superficial examination would reveal a profound lack of righteousness.
"Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her." — God's offer to pardon Jerusalem hinges on finding just one person who truly practices justice and seeks truth. This isn't just about a lack of wrongdoers; it highlights the extreme rarity of genuine…
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Last reviewed October 2026