Read & explore together
Letters between Judea and Sparta
This passage gives copies of diplomatic letters between Jonathan and the Spartans, and then an earlier letter to Onias. It shows formal greetings, remembered friendship and a written claim of kinship, while keeping that claim within the letters themselves.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
The text first identifies Jonathan’s message as a copied letter to the Spartans, then later presents a copy of an earlier Spartan letter to Onias. In these documents, the writers speak about friendship, alliance, remembrance in prayer and sacrifices, and renewed contact after a long time.
1 Maccabees 12:5–23Main takeaway
These copied letters show a formal effort to renew friendship with Sparta, including a claimed kinship stated within the correspondence.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A copied letter with a public greetingThe passage begins by saying this is a copy of Jonathan’s letter, so attention is placed on the document itself.
Explanation
The passage begins by saying this is a copy of Jonathan’s letter, so attention is placed on the document itself. The greeting comes from “Jonathan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews”. The Spartans are addressed as “kindred”, which is part of the letter’s own wording and presents a claimed relationship in the correspondence.
02Earlier letters and renewed contactJonathan says letters had been sent earlier to Onias from Arius, and Onias welcomed the messenger honourably.
Explanation
Jonathan says letters had been sent earlier to Onias from Arius, and Onias welcomed the messenger honourably. Those letters spoke of alliance and friendship. Jonathan then says they are writing again to renew brotherhood and friendship, because much time has passed since the Spartans last wrote.
03Remembrance in worship and help in troubleThe letter says the Jews remember the Spartans in sacrifices, prayers, feasts and other suitable days, calling this right and proper for kindred.
Explanation
The letter says the Jews remember the Spartans in sacrifices, prayers, feasts and other suitable days, calling this right and proper for kindred. Jonathan also reports many afflictions and wars from surrounding kings. Even so, the letter says they did not trouble allies and that help from heaven brought deliverance.
04Messengers, reply and the earlier Spartan claimJonathan says Numenius and Antipater were sent to renew friendship with the Romans and also to greet the Spartans and deliver these letters, asking for a reply.
Explanation
Jonathan says Numenius and Antipater were sent to renew friendship with the Romans and also to greet the Spartans and deliver these letters, asking for a reply. Then the earlier Spartan letter is copied. In that letter, Arius says a writing had been found claiming Spartans and Jews were kindred, descendants of Abraham, and speaks of shared goods.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who is named alongside Jonathan in the opening greeting, and what does that suggest about the letter?
Notice that the greeting includes Jonathan the high priest, the senate, the priests and the rest of the people, so the message is presented publicly rather than privately.
02What reasons does Jonathan give for sending this letter to Sparta?
Look for the long gap since the earlier letter, the wish to renew brotherhood and friendship, and the request that the Spartans send a reply.
03Where does the passage place the statement that Spartans and Jews are kindred?
The statement appears inside the copied letter from Arius and is introduced as something found in writing, so the passage presents it as a claim within the document.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Maccabees 12:5–23
5This is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6“Jonathan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to their kindred the Spartans, greetings.
7Even before this time letters were sent to Onias the high priest from Arius, who was reigning among you, to signify that you are our kindred, as the copy written below shows.
8Onias welcomed honorably the man who was sent and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of alliance and friendship.
9Therefore we also, even though we need none of these things, having for our encouragement the holy books which are in our hands,
10have undertaken to send that we might renew our brotherhood and friendship with you, to the end that we should not become estranged from you altogether; for a long time has passed since you sent your letter to us.
11We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and on the other convenient days, remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to be mindful of kindred.
12Moreover, we are glad for your glory.
13But as for ourselves, many afflictions and many wars have encompassed us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.
14We were unwilling to be troublesome to you, and to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars;
15for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been humbled.
16We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former alliance.
17We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.
18And now you will do well if you give us a reply.”
19And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Onias:
20“Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the chief priest, greetings.
21It has been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are kindred, and that they are of the descendants of Abraham.
22Now, since this has come to our knowledge, you will do well to write to us of your prosperity.
23We moreover write on our part to you, that your livestock and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you accordingly.”