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Mattathias' Final Charge
As Mattathias nears death, he gives his sons a final charge. He names the crisis, calls for zeal for the law, recalls earlier generations, and ends with clear instructions about courage, leadership and obedience.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
This passage in 1 Maccabees, one of the Catholic additional books, is farewell teaching from Mattathias to his sons. He speaks of a time of pride, scorn and overthrow, then points to earlier faithful people before giving his closing directions about strength, counsel, leadership and the commandments.
1 Maccabees 2:49–68Main takeaway
Mattathias urges his sons to stand firm in a troubled time by remembering earlier faithfulness and holding fast to the law.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A troubled timeMattathias begins by saying pride and scorn have grown strong and that it is a season of overthrow and wrath.
Explanation
Mattathias begins by saying pride and scorn have grown strong and that it is a season of overthrow and wrath. Because of that, he tells his children to be zealous for the law and to give their lives for the covenant of their fathers. His words are urgent and costly.
02Remember the earlier faithfulHe tells them to remember the deeds of their fathers. Then he lists Abraham, Joseph, Phinehas, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael and Daniel.
Explanation
He tells them to remember the deeds of their fathers. Then he lists Abraham, Joseph, Phinehas, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael and Daniel. In each case, Mattathias names a quality or action, such as faithfulness, keeping the commandment, mercy, belief or innocence.
03Trust and passing gloryFrom these examples, Mattathias says that no one who puts their trust in him will lack strength.
Explanation
From these examples, Mattathias says that no one who puts their trust in him will lack strength. So his sons should not fear the words of a sinful man. Human glory is brief, but trust brings strength from generation to generation.
04Strength, leaders and obedienceMattathias tells his sons to be strong on behalf of the law. Simon is to be heard as a man of counsel, and Judas is to act as captain.
Explanation
Mattathias tells his sons to be strong on behalf of the law. Simon is to be heard as a man of counsel, and Judas is to act as captain. He also tells them to gather the doers of the law and to obey its commandments. These are his closing directions in this passage.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do verses 49 to 50 explain why Mattathias speaks so urgently?
Notice how his description of pride, scorn and overthrow leads straight into his call for zeal and costly loyalty.
02What do the examples from Abraham to Daniel have in common?
Look for the way each person is linked with a named quality or action that Mattathias wants his sons to remember.
03Which final instructions are about people to follow, and which are about what to do?
Separate the words about Simon and Judas from the commands about strength, gathering and obedience.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Maccabees 2:49–68
49The days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said to his sons, “Now pride and scorn have gained strength. It is a season of overthrow and indignant wrath.
50Now, my children, be zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51Call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name.
52Wasn’t Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness?
53Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt.
54Phinehas our father, because he was exceedingly zealous, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55Joshua became a judge in Israel for fulfilling the word.
56Caleb obtained a heritage in the land for testifying in the congregation.
57David inherited the throne of a kingdom forever and ever for being merciful.
58Elijah was taken up into heaven because he was exceedingly zealous for the law.
59Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed, and were saved out of the flame.
60Daniel was delivered from the mouth of lions for his innocence.
61“Thus consider from generation to generation that no one who put their trust in him will lack for strength.
62Don’t be afraid of the words of a sinful man; for his glory will be dung and worms.
63Today he will be lifted up, and tomorrow he will in no way be found, because he has returned to dust, and his thought has perished.
64You, my children, be strong, and show yourselves men on behalf of the law; for in it you will obtain glory.
65Behold, Simon your brother, whom I know to be a man of counsel. Always listen to him. He shall be a father to you.
66Judas Maccabaeus has been strong and mighty from his youth. He shall be your captain and shall fight the battle of the people.
67Rally around all the doers of the law, and avenge the wrong done to your people.
68Repay the Gentiles, and obey the commandments of the law.”