The book Of The Bible 2 Maccabees

The book Of The Bible 2 Maccabees

Second Maccabees is not a continuation of 1 Maccabees, but a supplement to it. Second Maccabees concentrates on the events of the persecution of the Jews by Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the resulting revolt between 180 and 161 BCE. It was a writing that encouraged the Jews to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah. According to the narrative, the heroic efforts of Judas Maccabeus and the sacrificial deaths of the martyrs enabled the people of Israel to overcome the tyranny and persecution of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In this book, there is notable theological support for belief in the resurrection of the just (7.9, 11, 14, 23; 14.46), intercession of the saints for the living (15.11-16), and prayers for the dead (12.39-46).

A critical issue raised by this narrative is the justification of violence, martyrdom, and even suicide in pursuit of ultimate religious values. The passage about the persecution of the seven brothers is read on the Thirty Second Sunday of the Year in Cycle C of the liturgical calendar. Texts from 2 Maccabees are also offered as choices for Readings in the Common of Martyrs of the Roman Missal.