Jeremiah 6:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I will bestow this affliction upon the people. This will demonstrate that their suffering does not stem from a physical cause, but rather serves as an extraordinary sign—a clear indication of divine intervention. This ailment signifies a contagion that incites fear, reflecting the warnings previously given. Despite the presence of a prophet sent to offer solace, they remained unresponsive. Ultimately, their fear manifests through other means, and this torment is introduced to avert a more significant threat—war.

Thus declares the Lord: I will bring destruction upon this nation, and both parents and their children, neighbor and neighbor, will fall and be lost within it. We witness the fulfillment of all that the Lord has forewarned this people about, for they persist in their blasphemy and have no foundation; their existence is based solely on instability. The youth imitate the blasphemy of their ancestors and consistently echo these words: His blood be on us and on our children, Matthew 27:25. Moreover, not only they but also their neighbors and all who adhere to the law and the prophets in a manner devoid of the life-giving spirit will face ruin, since all have sinned.