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Holy Week · Maundy Thursday · Year C

Jeremiah 31:31-34

A Covenant Written on Hearts

April 13, 2028

Law and Grace (Gesetz und Gnade), Lucas Cranach the Elder
Law and Grace (Gesetz und Gnade), Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1529Herzogliches Museum, Gotha
Cranach's diagram of Lutheran theology, painted several times and copied endlessly: a tree bare on one side and green on the other, with Moses and the law to the left and the cross to the right.It is the argument of these readings set out as a picture, which is what it was made for.Lucas Cranach the ElderCourt painter in Wittenberg (1472-1553), Luther's friend and the printer of his movement's images, which made him the visual voice of the Reformation.Herzogliches Museum, GothaThe ducal collection of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, housed in a purpose-built museum of 1879 and particularly rich in Cranach.Herzogliches Museum, Gotha
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 22:7-20Lk 22:7-20
EpistleHeb. 10:15-25Heb 10:15-25
Old TestamentJer. 31:31-34Jer 31:31-34
PsalterPs. 116:12-19Ps 116:12-19

Overview & Insights

“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

This is the only passage in the Old Testament to use the phrase “a new covenant”, and it sits inside the Book of Consolation (chapters 30-33), a block of hope oracles in an otherwise grim book. What is new is not the content, since it remains the same torah, now placed within and written on hearts; the location has changed rather than the law. The contrast drawn is with Sinai, and the clause about the Lord being their husband (v. 32) carries the marriage metaphor Jeremiah shares with Hosea. Verse 34 draws the consequence that has occupied interpreters ever since, that no one will need to teach a neighbour, since all will know the Lord, which implies the end of mediated instruction and of the prophetic office itself. The passage is quoted in full at Hebrews 8:8-12, the longest single Old Testament quotation in the New Testament.

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Take it further: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Commentary

Jeremiah 31:31 (Hastings)Jer 31:31 (Hastings) biblehub.com

Hastings' commentary on the announcement of a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah.

Jeremiah 31 CommentaryJer 31 Commentary enduringword.com

Full chapter exposition placing the new covenant promise inside Jeremiah's larger book of comfort.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 CommentaryJer 31:31-34 Commentary cepreaching.org

Center for Excellence in Preaching's homiletical read of the law written on the heart.

Commentary on Jeremiah 31:31-34Commentary on Jer 31:31-34 workingpreacher.org

Working Preacher on the forgiveness that wipes the slate clean, the heart of this new covenant text.

Background & Word Study

Jeremiah 31 (Hebrew text)Jer 31 (Hebrew text) sefaria.org

Sefaria's Hebrew text and classical Jewish commentary on the new covenant chapter.

Jeremiah 31:31-34, The New CovenantJer 31:31-34, The New Covenant enterthebible.org

Luther Seminary background piece devoted specifically to this pericope.

Jeremiah 31:31 interlinearJer 31:31 interlinear biblehub.com

Hebrew interlinear for the covenant formula itself.

The Church Fathers

Jeremiah 31:31 (Catena)Jer 31:31 (Catena) catenabible.com

Irenaeus and Augustine both read this verse as the Old Testament's own naming of a coming new testament.

Sermons & Reflections

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Lent 5: Series B)Old Testament: Jer 31:31-34 (Lent 5: Series B) 1517.org

A Lutheran preaching brief on the same text as it falls in Series B, useful across the Holy Week appointment.

Study Hub

A New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) - Maundy Thursday sermonA New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) - Maundy Thursday sermon alutheran.org

A Lutheran congregation's Maundy Thursday sermon study built directly on this Old Testament reading.

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