Jeremiah 31:29-30

Jeremiah 31:29-30

[29] In those days  they shall say  no more, The fathers  have eaten  a sour grape,  and the children's  teeth  are set on edge.  [30] But every one  shall die  for his own iniquity:  every man  that eateth  the sour grape,  his teeth  shall be set on edge. 

What does Jeremiah 31:29-30 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In that time of future blessing, people would no longer repeat a popular proverb that said that the children were suffering because of their fathers" sins. This proverb expressed a popular misconception (cf. Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:2-4). It blamed present trouble on past ancestors inordinately. In that day, everyone would bear the consequences of his own actions. Justice would be obvious then, even though at present it did not seem to be operating. Whereas people do suffer consequences for the sins of their ancestors to a limited extent (corporate responsibility), they much more consistently suffer for their own sins (individual responsibility).