In this class, we consider 3 and 4 Maccabees, as well as other books which were important for the Jews around the time of Jesus as well as for the early Christians. We also briefly discuss the other deuterocanonical books in the Catholic Bible.
Listen online [here]!
-----------------------------------------
The Books of Maccabees
Session 5: The Third and Fourth Books of Maccabees, and others
Course Outline
October 14th, Session 1 - Introduction and Outline, History of the Maccabees
October 21st, Session 2 - The First Book of Maccabees
October 28th, Session 3 - The Second Book of Maccabees
November 4th, Session 4 - The Prophecy of Daniel, Maccabees and the Messiah
November 11th, Session 5 - The Third and Fourth Books of Maccabees, and others
November 18th, Session 6 - How We Got the Old Testament
November 25th, Session 7 - Saints and Theology in the Books of Maccabees
I. Definition of terms
Canon of Scripture: This means the list of the books that are part of the Bible.
Deuterocanonical books: These are books accepted by the Catholic Church as part of Sacred Scripture, but which were more debated in the early Church. They are part of the Canon of the Bible, but considered the “Second Canon” - not as less valuable or less inspired, but as only universally accepted at a slightly later time.
These are: Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, and the greek parts of Esther and Daniel.
We can also speak of the Deuterocanonical books of the New Testament: Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.
Protocanonical books: These are the books which have been universally accepted as part of Sacred Scripture, and about which there was no significant debate in the early Church.
Apocryphal books: These are books which were important to the Jewish faithful in the century before the coming of Jesus, and which were also widely respected by both the Jews and the Christians in the 1st Century AD.
The list is extensive, but the Council of Trent included the following books as being of special value: 1 and 2 Esdras, Psalm 151, Prayer of Manasseh, and the Letter to the Laodiceans.
Other books which are respected in the Eastern Orthodox Churches include: 3 and 4 Maccabees (with 3 Maccabees often included in the Canon).
Finally, there are other books which were significant in the century before and after Christ: The Book of Enoch, the Book of the Assumption of Moses, and others. And even these had significant influence on the New Testament writers.
Pseudepigrapha: Books attributed to famous people of Scripture but not actually written by them and usually written at a much later date.
II. The Seven Deuterocanonical Books of the Catholic Bible
Tobit: Tells the story of Tobit, a righteous Israelite who, with the help of the angel Raphael, overcomes blindness and misfortune through faith, charity, and divine guidance.
Judith: Recounts how the courageous widow Judith saves her people by using her faith and cunning to behead the Assyrian general Holofernes, delivering Israel from destruction.
Baruch: Reflects on Israel’s exile, calling the people to repentance and hope, and emphasizing God’s wisdom, mercy, and enduring covenant with His people. Baruch was the scribe and disciple of the prophet Jeremiah, and his book is placed immediately after Jeremiah..
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus): Offers practical wisdom and moral teachings that highlight the importance of faith, humility, and righteous living in accordance with God’s law.
1 and 2 Maccabees: we have said enough of these.
Wisdom: Also called the Wisdom of Solomon, this book celebrates the pursuit of divine wisdom and teaches that righteousness leads to immortality while wickedness brings destruction.
III. 3 and 4 Maccabees
3 Maccabees
The Book of 3 Maccabees, despite its title, is not directly connected to the Maccabean revolt of Judas Maccabeus but instead tells a powerful story of Jewish faith and divine deliverance set in Egypt during the reign of King Ptolemy IV Philopator. The narrative begins after Ptolemy’s victory at Raphia, when his arrogance leads him to attempt to enter the Jerusalem Temple—a sacrilegious act that God prevents. Enraged by this humiliation, Ptolemy returns to Egypt and turns his fury upon the Jewish population, seeking to punish them for their devotion to their God. The Jews are imprisoned and marked for death, but through fervent prayer and steadfast faith, they are miraculously spared as God intervenes to thwart the king’s deadly plans. The book emphasizes the themes of divine justice, the power of prayer, and the protection of the faithful, portraying God as the ultimate defender of His people against tyranny. Ultimately, 3 Maccabees stands as both a historical reflection on persecution and a spiritual lesson about trusting in God’s deliverance even in the darkest circumstances.
4 Maccabees
The Book of 4 Maccabees is a philosophical and theological reflection on the supremacy of reason, guided by faith, over human passions. Written in the style of a moral discourse, it uses the stories of the Jewish martyrs from the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes—particularly the aged Eleazar and the mother with her seven sons—as powerful examples of how devotion to God’s law enables individuals to endure even the most horrific suffering with courage and dignity. The author, blending Jewish theology with Hellenistic philosophy, argues that true reason is found in obedience to divine wisdom, which grants mastery over fear, pain, and desire. Through eloquent rhetoric and vivid narrative, 4 Maccabees presents martyrdom not as tragedy, but as a triumph of spiritual strength and rational faith. Ultimately, the book serves as both a tribute to steadfast believers and a meditation on how divine reason empowers the righteous to conquer even death itself.
Note that 3 and 4 Maccabees are in some, but not all, versions of the Septuagint. While 3 Maccabees is considered canonical by the Orthodox, 4 Maccabees is generally regarded as canonical but is included as an appendix to most Bible editions in the East.
IV. Other apocryphal books of importance
1 Esdras, retells the story of Israel’s return from Babylonian exile, emphasizing the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the restoration of proper worship under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Ezra. This book was part of the Septuagint.
2 Esdras, also known as Ezra or 4 Ezra, explores profound questions about suffering, divine justice, and the end times through a series of visionary dialogues between the prophet Ezra and God’s messengers.
Psalm 151, a short psalm attributed to David that reflects on his humble beginnings as a shepherd and his anointing by God to become king of Israel. This psalm was included (unnumbered) in many versions of the Septuagint; and it is accepted by the Orthodox as canonical.
Prayer of Manasseh, a brief but powerful penitential work attributed to King Manasseh of Judah, who, according to tradition, repented after a life of sin and idolatry. In the prayer, Manasseh acknowledges his wrongdoing, confesses his guilt, and humbly pleads for God’s mercy and forgiveness. The text emphasizes themes of repentance, divine compassion, and the possibility of redemption, illustrating that no one is beyond God’s grace when they sincerely turn back to Him. It serves as a timeless example of contrition and the transformative power of heartfelt prayer.
The Letter to the Laodiceans, a short epistle that appears in some early Christian writings but is generally considered apocryphal and not part of the canonical New Testament. It is often mentioned in connection with Colossians 4:16, where Paul instructs the Colossians to read a letter from Laodicea and for the Laodiceans to read his letter. The text that survives under this title is believed by scholars to be a later forgery, summarizing or adapting passages from other Pauline letters rather than being an original work of Paul. Its themes generally echo Paul’s usual exhortations - encouraging faithfulness, humility, and love - but it lacks the historical authenticity and authority of his recognized epistles.
The First Letter of St Clement: An early Christian epistle traditionally attributed to Pope Clement I of Rome, written around the end of the 1st century (c. 95–97 AD). It was addressed to the Christian community in Corinth to address a dispute in which some members had deposed their leaders, urging them to restore order and humility. The letter emphasizes obedience, unity, repentance, and moral living, drawing heavily on both Old Testament examples and early Christian teachings. While it is not part of the canonical New Testament, 1 Clement was highly respected in the early Church and provides valuable insight into the beliefs, practices, and hierarchical structure of the first-century Christian communities.
Shepherd of Hermes, an early Christian allegorical work in which Hermas receives visions and parables from a heavenly figure called the Shepherd, emphasizing repentance, moral living, and the restoration of the Church.
Epistle of Barnabas, an early Christian epistle that interprets the Hebrew Scriptures allegorically, urging believers to live morally and understand the Old Testament as pointing to Christ and the new covenant.
The Didache, also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is an early Christian manual outlining moral instructions, rituals such as baptism and the Eucharist, and guidance for community organization and leadership.
V. The Book of Enoch and the Book of the Assumption of Moses
Examples of other books which were influential on the Jews around the time of Jesus, and also extremely influential on the Apostles and writers of the New Testament.
The Book of Enoch
Jude directly quotes a prophecy from 1 Enoch in verses 14 and 15:
In Jude 1:14-15, there is a quote attributed to "Enoch, the seventh from Adam" prophesying about the Lord's coming judgment. This quote is identified as being from 1 Enoch 1:9.
Some scholars suggest other possible allusions to 1 Enoch in the New Testament. For instance, the discussion of fallen angels imprisoned in "Tartarus" in 2 Peter may have parallels in 1 Enoch. Jesus' statement in the Gospels about angels in heaven not marrying (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:35-36) has also been linked to a passage in 1 Enoch. The book of Hebrews refers to Enoch being taken up by God (Hebrews 11:5), which aligns with the account in Genesis.
The Book of Enoch, also called 1 Enoch, is an ancient Jewish apocalyptic text attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It is a collection of writings composed between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD, containing visions, parables, and revelations about the heavenly realm, the fate of the wicked, and the final judgment. A central theme of the book is the story of the Watchers, angels who descended to earth, took human wives, and taught forbidden knowledge, resulting in widespread corruption and the birth of the Nephilim. Enoch is portrayed as a righteous man chosen by God to intercede for humanity and reveal divine secrets, including the workings of the cosmos, the calendar, and the coming messianic kingdom.
The Book of Enoch is divided into several sections, including the Book of the Watchers, the Book of Parables, the Astronomical Book, the Book of Dream Visions, and the Epistle of Enoch. Throughout these sections, it emphasizes God’s justice, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the ultimate triumph of the righteous. It also presents vivid descriptions of heaven, hell, and the cosmic order, influencing later Jewish and Christian apocalyptic thought. Although it is not part of the canonical Bible for most traditions, except the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Book of Enoch had a profound impact on early Jewish mysticism and early Christian theology, particularly in shaping ideas about angels, demons, and the final judgment.
The Testament of Moses, or the Book of the Assumption of Moses.
This book is referenced in Jude 1:9, “But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke thee.”
The Book of the Assumption of Moses, also known as the Testament of Moses, is an ancient Jewish work that recounts Moses’ final days and his prophetic farewell to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The text combines elements of prophecy, moral exhortation, and apocalyptic vision, emphasizing Israel’s obedience to God, the consequences of sin, and the coming judgment. Moses is depicted as a faithful servant who passes on his wisdom and instructions, warning the people about future leaders, apostasy, and persecution. Although much of the original text has been lost and survives only in fragments, it provides valuable insight into Jewish thought during the Second Temple period and highlights themes of divine justice, fidelity, and the enduring covenant between God and His people.
