Jeremiah's response introduces the theme of false prophecy by noting that the prophets in Jerusalem claim God will not send judgment and will grant well-being and security regardless of the people's sin. These prophets promise "lasting well-being" (shalom) without foundation, offering comfort that contradicts God's actual judgment and undermining Jeremiah's message of necessary repentance. The false prophets represent a fundamental theological problem: they validate the people's desires and false sense of security, preventing them from recognizing their true spiritual condition and the necessity of repentance. Theologically, this reveals that false prophecy operates primarily through theological deception—lies about God's character, promises, and covenant obligations—that enable people to persist in rebellion without facing judgment. The contrast between the people's desire for assurance and Jeremiah's difficult message of judgment creates the context where false prophets thrive: they tell people what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. This verse establishes the core problem that will dominate the rest of the chapter: false prophets exploit the human desire for comfort and security to prevent repentance and enable continued sin. The proliferation of prophets promising peace in the face of clear warnings from Jeremiah reveals that Israel's religious leadership has become corrupt and complicit in the people's self-deception.

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