Jeremiah 24:3
Then said the Lord vnto me; What seest thou Ieremiah? and I said: Figges: the good figges, very good and the euill, very euill, that cannot be eaten, they are so euill. Jeremiah 24:3 (KJV)
Jeremiah 24:3 is part of a vision that the prophet Jeremiah receives from the Lord. To understand its significance, it helps to recall the historical setting. During Jeremiah’s ministry the kingdom of Judah was experiencing deep spiritual decline and moral corruption. The people had turned away from God, embracing idolatry and various forms of wickedness, and Jeremiah was called to proclaim warning, judgment, and hope.
In the preceding verses (Jeremiah 24:1‑2) the Lord shows Jeremiah two baskets of figs placed before the temple. In the ancient Near East figs were a common fruit and were often used metaphorically to represent the nation of Israel. The two baskets therefore symbolize the people of Judah and their ultimate destiny.
When the Lord asks, “What seest thou?” Jeremiah answers that he sees figs—good figs that are “very good,” and evil figs that “cannot be eaten” and are “very evil.” The good figs represent the faithful remnant, those who, despite the surrounding apostasy, remained true to God, sought righteousness, and trusted in His covenant. The evil figs represent the unfaithful and wicked, whose rebellion had rendered them beyond redemption; their condition is described as so corrupt that they are detestable in the sight of the Lord.
The vision conveys both judgment and hope. The good figs point to those who will be restored and blessed by God even amid the impending destruction of Judah, while the evil figs foretell the punishment that will fall on those who persist in unrepentant sin. Overall, the passage highlights God’s intimate awareness of the spiritual condition of His people, His ability to discern the righteous from the wicked, and the serious consequences that follow one’s choices.
As we reflect on this verse today, we are invited to examine our own hearts. Are we striving to be like the good figs—pursuing righteousness and living in accordance with God’s will—or are we heading down the path of the evil figs, persisting in rebellion? The passage urges us to choose the path of righteousness, trusting that God sees and judges the intentions of our hearts.
