The big picture
Jeremiah 24 opens in verse 1 with “The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “Thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge…”, and closes in verse 10 with “And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be…” Repeated or prominent terms include figs, LORD, good, evil, land. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Jeremiah · King James Version · 10Jeremiah 24:1-5
1–5: The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the…
Jeremiah 24:1–5 opens with “The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD …” and reaches “Thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 24 develops its own movement around figs, LORD, good, evil, land, with particular weight carried by figs, good, LORD.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD…” By verse 3, the text has turned to “Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very…” It lands on “Thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 question, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as figs, good, LORD, evil, Judah, Babylon tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jeremiah 24 develops its own movement around figs, LORD, good, evil, land,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Judah, Babylon, Again, Chaldeans, Figs, God. Its number language includes two, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 3: “Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: figs, good, LORD, evil, Judah, Babylon
Verse-by-verse path
- Jeremiah 24:1
“The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD , after that…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
- Jeremiah 24:2
“One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
- Jeremiah 24:3
“Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- Jeremiah 24:4
“Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” Naming Again keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Jeremiah 24:5
“Thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away…” Naming Chaldeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Jeremiah 24:1-5
King James Version1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD , after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.
2One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
3Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
4Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5Thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
Jeremiah 24:6-10
6–10: For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again…
Jeremiah 24:6–10 opens with “For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I…” and reaches “And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 24 develops its own movement around figs, LORD, good, evil, land, with particular weight carried by land, evil, heart.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I…” By verse 8, the text has turned to “And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD …” It lands on “And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as land, evil, heart, LORD, build, consumed tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jeremiah 24 develops its own movement around figs, LORD, good, evil, land,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Egypt, God, Jerusalem, Judah, Zedekiah. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 8: “And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD , So will I give Zedekiah the king of…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: land, evil, heart, LORD, build, consumed
Verse-by-verse path
- Jeremiah 24:6
“For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- Jeremiah 24:7
“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD : and they shall be my people, and I will be their God…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Jeremiah 24:8
“And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD , So will I give Zedekiah…” Naming Egypt and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Jeremiah 24:9
“And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Jeremiah 24:10
“And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I…” The line’s distinctive content terms include consumed, famine, fathers. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
Jeremiah 24:6-10
King James Version6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD : and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
8And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD , So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
9And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
Resources gathered for this chapter
The story map and deeper reflection are available as distinct resources alongside this teaching plan. Each opens on its own page.
A chapter-specific teaching brief
These anchors come from this chapter itself. They help a teacher use the Level 1 story map, the Level 2 analysis, and the Scripture text as one lesson.
Open with the chapter’s first image
Jeremiah 24:1: “The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD , after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away…”
Slow down at the turning point
Jeremiah 24:3: “Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are…”
Keep this word trail visible
figs, LORD, good, evil, land, Judah
Observation and teaching prompt
- Identify the historical crisis, covenant failure, warning, and promised hope.
- Distinguish the prophet’s immediate audience from later biblical connections.
- Do not turn present-day headlines into confident fulfillment claims without textual evidence.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Learning objectives
- Place Jeremiah 24 within Jeremiah 24 and explain its role in Jeremiah.
- Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: Jeremiah 24 develops its own movement around figs, LORD, good, evil, land.
- Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
- Explain how prophecy shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
- Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
- Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.
Teacher preparation
- Read Jeremiah 24 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
- Review the book movement: Jeremiah 24 (Jeremiah 24).
- Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
- Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
- Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.
Evidence and interpretation checks
Explicit
Record two claims that Jeremiah 24 states directly and cite the verses.
Scripture-supported
Form one conclusion that joins several parts of Jeremiah 24. Show each step.
Strong inference
Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.
Possible or traditional reading
Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.
Limit
Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.
Discussion with answer guidance
1. What does Jeremiah 24 state directly about God, people, or the situation?
Show teacher guidance
Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.
2. How does this focus develop across the passage: Jeremiah 24 develops its own movement around figs, LORD, good, evil, land?
Show teacher guidance
Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.
3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?
Show teacher guidance
Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.
4. How does this unit contribute to the Jeremiah 24 movement?
Show teacher guidance
Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.
5. What interpretive caution does prophecy require here?
Show teacher guidance
Identify the first audience, historical crisis, covenant charge, warning, call to return, and promised hope before considering later fulfillment.
6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?
Show teacher guidance
Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.
Responsible application
Heart and habits
Name one belief, desire, or practice that Jeremiah 24 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.
Relationships and community
Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.
Worship and prayer
Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.
Service and witness
Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.
Audience adaptations
Children
Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.
Youth
Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.
Adults
Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.
Intergenerational group
Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.
Online or at home
Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.
Complete 75-minute teaching path
A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.
Orient the group
Name the book, Jeremiah 24, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.
Read the complete unit
Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.
Work through the reading blocks
Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.
Use a song or video
Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.
Discuss from evidence
Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.
Form responsible application
Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.
Summarize and pray
Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.
Song and video learning lab
A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text. Its value becomes clearer when its choices are compared with Scripture.
- Before the media: the exact passage and its central movement.
- During the media: the words, people, events, and emotions the artist emphasizes.
- After the media: what it clarifies, what it leaves out, and what belongs back in the biblical text.