The form Ἰερεμίας (Ieremias) renders the Hebrew יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirməyāhû, “Yahweh exalts”). Jeremiah ministered in Judah during the last forty years before the Babylonian exile, announcing coming judgment for covenant unfaithfulness while also holding forth the promise of restoration and a new covenant written on the heart.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew alone records the name:
• Matthew 2:17 – introducing the citation of Jeremiah 31:15 concerning Rachel weeping for her children.
• Matthew 16:14 – listing popular opinions about Jesus’ identity: “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
• Matthew 27:9 – introducing the citation loosely reflecting Jeremiah 18–19 and Zechariah 11 regarding the thirty pieces of silver.

Jeremiah in Matthew’s Fulfillment Formulae

Matthew twice uses his standard formula “what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled,” thereby placing Jeremiah’s words within the larger Messianic fulfillment pattern that frames the Gospel. This establishes three emphases:

1. Inspiration: the prophet’s words carry divine authority extending into the life of Christ.
2. Continuity: the same God who spoke through Jeremiah now speaks in and through Jesus.
3. Providence: historical events surrounding Jesus’ infancy and passion unfold under the precise supervision of God who already declared the outcome centuries earlier.

Typological Parallels between Jeremiah and Jesus

Jeremiah prefigures key aspects of the Messiah’s ministry:
• Suffering Prophet: both are rejected by their own people, persecuted, yet persevere in obedience.
• Covenant Mediator: Jeremiah foretells the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34); Jesus inaugurates it (Matthew 26:28).
• Temple Critic: Jeremiah exposes empty ritual (Jeremiah 7), foreshadowing Jesus’ cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13).
• Weeping over Jerusalem: Jeremiah laments the city’s impending destruction (Lamentations); Jesus weeps for the same reason (Matthew 23:37-39).

Public Perception of Jesus (Matthew 16:14)

The crowds’ suggestion that Jesus might be “Jeremiah” highlights the prophet’s reputation for fearless confrontation of religious leaders, heartfelt compassion, and prophetic symbolism—traits plainly evident in Jesus’ ministry. Peter’s confession immediately afterward (“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” 16:16) clarifies that even the highest prophetic comparison falls short of Jesus’ true identity.

Theological Themes Drawn Forward

• Judgment and Hope: Jeremiah’s twin messages of deserved judgment and gracious future restoration converge at the cross, where judgment against sin and hope for redemption meet.
• Heart Religion: Jeremiah’s promise of an internalized law finds its fulfillment in the indwelling Spirit granted through Christ (Romans 8:2-4; 2 Corinthians 3:3).
• Faithfulness Amid Apostasy: Jeremiah’s steadfast ministry under hostile conditions encourages believers to stand firm amid cultural opposition, looking to Jesus as the consummate faithful witness.

Historical Reception in the Early Church

Patristic writers (e.g., Justin Martyr, Irenaeus) frequently appealed to Jeremiah 31 in arguing the superiority of the new covenant. They also read Jeremiah’s sufferings as typological of Christ’s passion, reinforcing Matthew’s application of Jeremiah to Jesus’ betrayal and death.

Practical Implications for Ministry Today

1. Proclaim both warning and promise, following Jeremiah’s balanced message.
2. Depend on the Holy Spirit to write God’s law on human hearts, rather than relying on external compulsion.
3. Embrace prophetic courage, knowing that faithfulness may attract opposition but ultimately advances God’s redemptive plan.

Conclusion

In only three New Testament references the name Ἰερεμίας carries rich theological freight, linking the prophetic witness of the Old Testament to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through Matthew’s lens, Jeremiah’s voice continues to speak, inviting the church to trust the Scriptures’ unified testimony and to embody the bold yet compassionate ministry that characterized both the prophet and the Savior he foreshadowed.