Jeremiah 31:34 – “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

Jeremiah 31:34 promises a profound and personal relationship between God and His people under the new covenant. Unlike the old covenant, where teaching about God often came through intermediaries, the new covenant ensures that everyone—from the least to the greatest—will know God directly. This personal relationship is possible because God promises complete forgiveness of sins. The phrase “I will remember their sins no more” emphasizes the depth of God’s grace, as He chooses to forgive and never hold our sins against us again. This verse reveals the heart of the new covenant: intimate knowledge of God and complete forgiveness.

Historical Context

At the time Jeremiah delivered this prophecy, Israel and Judah had broken their covenant with God. They had turned to idolatry and disobedience, leading to exile and the destruction of their nation. The old covenant required priests and teachers to mediate the knowledge of God to the people. However, the people’s persistent rebellion showed the inadequacy of this system to transform their hearts. Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant offered hope for a direct, unmediated relationship with God, made possible by His forgiveness and grace.

Theological Implications

Jeremiah 31:34 highlights two key aspects of the new covenant:

1. Personal Knowledge of God: This covenant ensures that everyone, regardless of status or position, can know God personally. This relationship is no longer limited by human intermediaries.
2. Complete Forgiveness: God’s promise to forgive and forget sins is central to the new covenant. This forgiveness removes the barrier between humanity and God, allowing for a restored relationship.

These truths emphasize God’s desire for an intimate relationship with His people, rooted in grace and forgiveness.

Literary Analysis

This verse contrasts the old and new covenants through vivid language. The phrase “they will all know me” emphasizes inclusivity, showing that God’s promise extends to everyone, regardless of rank or background. The repetition of “I will” underscores God’s active role in establishing this covenant. The use of “forgive” and “remember no more” conveys the completeness of God’s forgiveness, offering hope and assurance to His people.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 54:13: “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
• Ezekiel 36:26-27: God promises a new heart and His Spirit to enable His people to follow Him.
• Hebrews 8:10-12: This passage directly quotes Jeremiah 31:33-34, explaining how Jesus fulfills the new covenant.
• 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians, Jeremiah 31:34 is a reminder of the incredible privilege of knowing God personally. Through the new covenant established by Jesus, we have direct access to God without the need for human intermediaries. This verse also reassures us of God’s complete forgiveness—our sins are not only forgiven but forgotten, freeing us to live in close relationship with Him. It encourages us to embrace this intimate connection and share the knowledge of God with others.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Jeremiah 31:34 showcases God’s love in its fullest expression. His promise to forgive and forget sins demonstrates His grace and compassion. God’s desire for everyone to know Him personally, from the least to the greatest, reflects His inclusive and unconditional love. This verse reveals that God is not distant but longs for a deep, personal relationship with each of His people.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant described in this verse. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for sins to be forgiven completely, fulfilling God’s promise to “remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 9:15). Jesus also brings the knowledge of God to all people, revealing God’s character and inviting everyone into a personal relationship with Him (John 14:7). The new covenant is sealed by Jesus’ blood, ensuring that the promises of Jeremiah 31:34 are fully realized.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse encourage you to embrace a personal relationship with God?
2. What does God’s promise to forgive and forget sins mean to you in your daily life?
3. How can you live in the freedom and assurance of knowing that God no longer remembers your sins?
4. In what ways does Jesus fulfill the promise of this verse in your life?
5. How can you help others come to know God personally, as promised in this verse?

Jeremiah 31:34 reminds us of the incredible blessings of the new covenant: personal knowledge of God and complete forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus Christ, this promise is fulfilled, offering a restored relationship with God to all who believe.