Although Josiah, who was king when Jeremiah started his ministry, was faithful, all succeeding kings were unfaithful, and most of those responsible to instruct the people ​ — the prophets and the priests — ​ were not on the side of truth.
इसके अलावा, नबी और याजक भी, जिन पर प्रजा को सिखाने की ज़िम्मेदारी थी, सच्चाई की राह से भटक चुके थे ।