17 They asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you come to write all this? Was it at Jeremiah's dictation?" 18 Baruch said, "That's right. Every word right from his own mouth. And I wrote it down, word for word, with pen and ink." 19 The government officials told Baruch, "You need to get out of here. Go into hiding, you and Jeremiah. Don't let anyone know where you are!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 36:17-19
Commentary on Jeremiah 36:9-19
(Read Jeremiah 36:9-19)
Shows of piety and devotion may be found even among those, who, though they keep up forms of godliness, are strangers and enemies to the power of it. The princes patiently attended the reading of the whole book. They were in great fear. But even those who are convinced to the truth and importance of what they hear, and are disposed to favour those who preach it, often have difficulties and reserves about their safety, interest, or preferment, so that they do not act according to their convictions, and try to get rid of what they find troublesome.