The First Book of Maccabees

The book of 1 Maccabees tells the story of a Jewish family that stood up to a foreign ruler. It takes place about 150 years before the birth of Jesus. During this time, the land of Israel was ruled by a Greek king who tried to force the Jewish people to give up their faith. Some gave in, but others fought back. This book focuses on those who resisted.

The main leaders in this book are from the family of Mattathias and his sons. They are known as the Maccabees. They believed that staying faithful to God was more important than obeying the king. When the king ordered them to worship false gods, they said no. They started a revolt that would last for many years.

The book describes many battles, hardships, and victories. It shows how the Maccabees and their followers fought to keep the Jewish laws and customs. They were not trying to take over new land. They just wanted to protect their faith and way of life. The most famous part of the story is when they cleaned and rededicated the temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled.

1 Maccabees is not just a history book. It also shows how the people stayed strong in their faith during hard times. It was written to encourage others to stay faithful too. It is included in the Catholic Bible and is often read during times when we reflect on courage and faithfulness.

1 Maccabees was written during a time when the Jewish people were under foreign rule. A Greek king named Antiochus IV ruled over them. He wanted everyone in his kingdom to follow Greek ways. That included giving up Jewish customs and worshiping Greek gods. Many people were afraid and did what he said. But others stayed faithful to God and resisted.

The story takes place around 175 to 135 years before Jesus was born. This was during a time called the Hellenistic period. Greek culture was spreading across many lands. The Jewish people were caught in the middle. They had to choose between going along with the Greek way or keeping their faith.

We do not know the name of the author of 1 Maccabees. But the writer clearly cared about the Jewish people and their history. He wrote in Hebrew first, but the version we have now is in Greek. This tells us that the book was meant for Jewish people who lived in Greek-speaking areas.

The author wanted the readers to remember the brave acts of the Maccabee family. He wrote it like a history book, but with a message. He wanted people to stay loyal to their faith, even when it was hard. The book helped people understand where they came from and why their traditions mattered.

The book of 1 Maccabees reads like a history book. It tells what happened in a clear and direct way. There are no poems, songs, or visions. The writer focuses on facts. He wants the reader to know who did what, when it happened, and why it mattered.

The writing is plain and serious. The author is not trying to entertain. He wants to teach. He uses short stories about battles, leaders, and important events. Each part builds on the one before it. This helps the reader follow the story easily.

The book names real people and real places. It gives dates and details. This shows that the writer wanted to be accurate. He also wanted the reader to respect the Maccabees and understand their choices.

1 Maccabees does not use big emotions or long prayers. It uses strong actions and clear speech. The style matches the message: stay faithful, act with courage, and remember your history.

1 Maccabees has many themes that connect with Catholic teaching. These ideas help us think about how we live our faith today. The book shows how God’s people can stay faithful, even in hard times.

• Faithfulness to God’s Law
  The people in this book choose to follow God’s law, even when it puts them in danger. Catholics are also called to stay faithful to God, even when the world tells us to do something else.
• Courage and Sacrifice
  The Maccabees are not afraid to suffer or even die for their beliefs. This reminds us of the saints and martyrs in our Church who gave their lives for Christ.
• Family and Leadership
  The family of Mattathias leads the people with strong faith. In Catholic life, we see parents, priests, and leaders who help others stay close to God.
• Hope in God’s Plan
  Even when things look dark, the people trust that God is still with them. Catholics believe that God never leaves us, even in times of struggle.

These themes can help us grow stronger in our own faith. They remind us that the choices we make matter and that God sees our efforts to stay true.

1 Maccabees is made up of 16 chapters. The book moves through the story in order, starting with the problem and ending with a new leader. Each part helps us understand how the Jewish people stayed strong and fought for their faith.

Here is one way to break down the book:

• Chapters 1:1–2:70
  The troubles begin. A Greek king, Antiochus IV, attacks the Jewish way of life. Mattathias and his sons decide to resist.
• Chapters 3:1–9:22
  Judas Maccabeus becomes the leader. He wins many battles and rededicates the temple. This is the time of the feast we now call Hanukkah.
• Chapters 9:23–12:53
  After Judas dies, his brother Jonathan leads the people. He deals with both enemies and allies. He also becomes high priest.
• Chapters 13:1–16:24
  The last brother, Simon, takes charge. He brings peace and is loved by the people. But his life also ends in trouble. His son John Hyrcanus takes over.

Each section shows how one leader stood up for the faith. The story builds from one person to the next, showing how God’s people kept going.

1 Maccabees tells the story of real people who made hard choices. Some stood for truth. Others tried to destroy it. Here are the main characters you will meet:

• Mattathias
  A faithful Jewish priest. He starts the revolt by refusing to offer a false sacrifice. He calls others to fight for God’s law.
• Judas Maccabeus
  Son of Mattathias. He becomes the main leader after his father dies. He is brave in battle and wins many victories.
• Jonathan
  Brother of Judas. He becomes the leader after Judas dies. He also serves as high priest and brings peace for a time.
• Simon
  The last of the leading brothers. He brings safety and freedom to the people. He is loved by many.
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes
  The Greek king who tries to force the Jews to stop following their faith. He sets up false worship in the temple.
• John Hyrcanus
  Son of Simon. He is named leader after his father dies. He continues the family’s work.

These characters show what it means to stand firm, even when things are hard. Some lead with courage. Others bring trouble. Each plays a part in the story of faith and survival.

Even though 1 Maccabees was written long ago, it still speaks to us today. The world changes, but some struggles stay the same. People still face pressure to give up their faith. This book reminds us to stay strong.

It also shows that families matter. The Maccabees worked together. They prayed, planned, and stood side by side. In our own families, we can help each other grow in faith and courage.

The story also teaches us to stand up for what is right. Even when others go the wrong way, we are called to follow God. That takes strength and trust, just like it did back then.

1 Maccabees gives hope to anyone who feels alone or unsure. It shows that even in dark times, we are never without a path forward. With prayer, support, and faith, we can keep going—just like the Maccabees did.

The book of 1 Maccabees is sometimes read during daily Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. These readings are not used often, but they come up in certain seasons. When they do, they help us think about staying faithful in hard times.

The readings usually focus on the courage of the Maccabee family. They show how the people stood up for God’s law. These stories remind us that being faithful is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

When we hear 1 Maccabees at Mass, we are called to think about our own choices. Do we follow the crowd, or do we follow God? These readings challenge us to choose well.

Even if this book is not read often at church, its message is still strong. It speaks to anyone who wants to live with courage and faith in a world that does not always make that easy.

• Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time I – 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63: Israel’s Struggle Under Antiochus
• Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time I – 1 Maccabees 2:15-29: The Zeal of Mattathias for the Covenant
• Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time I – 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59: The Dedication of the Altar
• Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time I –  1 Maccabees 6:1-13: The King’s Sorrow in Persia

The Bible

Want to learn more about how the Bible fits together? Whether you’re new to the Bible or just looking for a simple way to understand it better, we can help. The stories, people, and lessons all connect in a bigger picture.

Visit our page on Understanding the Bible to get started. It’s a great place to find clear explanations and helpful ideas. Take a few minutes to explore—you might see the Bible in a new way.

Is 1 Maccabees in every Bible?

No. 1 Maccabees is in Catholic Bibles, but not in most Protestant Bibles. Catholics believe it is part of the full Bible.

Who wrote 1 Maccabees?

We don’t know the name of the writer. It was likely a Jewish person who lived not long after the events happened.

Why is 1 Maccabees important to Catholics?

It shows the importance of staying faithful to God. It also connects to Church teachings about courage, loyalty, and family.

What is the main message of 1 Maccabees?

Stay faithful, even when it’s hard. God’s people can trust Him during struggles.

Does 1 Maccabees talk about Jesus?

No. It was written before Jesus was born. But it helps us understand the world Jesus was born into.

1 Maccabees tells the story of a Jewish family that refuses to give up their faith. It takes place about 150 years before Jesus was born. A Greek king, Antiochus IV, tried to force the Jews to stop worshiping God. Many people gave in, but a priest named Mattathias and his sons said no.

Mattathias and his sons, known as the Maccabees, started a revolt. They fought to keep the Jewish faith alive. Judas, one of the sons, became the leader after his father died. He led the people through many battles and even took back the temple in Jerusalem.

Later, his brothers Jonathan and Simon took over. Each one faced struggles but helped bring safety and peace. The book ends with Simon’s son, John Hyrcanus, taking the lead.

This story is important to Catholics because it shows courage, loyalty to God, and the power of family. It reminds us to stay strong in our faith, even when others try to pull us away from it.

Have you ever felt pressure to hide your faith? 1 Maccabees shows how people stayed strong even when it was risky. It can inspire us to make brave choices and trust that God is with us.

Take some time to read 1 Maccabees. Think about what it means for your life today. Share your thoughts in the comment section. What stood out to you? How did it speak to your own experience?