Read & explore together
The Peace Correspondence in 2 Maccabees
This passage gathers four official letters and a short coda about an agreement between ruling authorities and the Jews. Read together, the documents show requests, permissions, friendship, and the practical outcome that followed.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
The passage itself presents a sequence of documents. Lysias writes after John and Absalom deliver a written request. Then come a letter from King Antiochus to Lysias, the king’s letter to the Jewish senate and other Jews, a Roman letter of consent, and a brief concluding note.
2 Maccabees 11:16–12:1Main takeaway
These letters describe the Jews as being free from disturbance, receiving friendship, having the temple restored, and being allowed to live by their own laws and customs.
Follow the letter’s teaching
01Lysias replies to a written appealThe first letter is short and formal. Lysias says John and Absalom brought a document and asked about what was written in it.
Explanation
The first letter is short and formal. Lysias says John and Absalom brought a document and asked about what was written in it. He states that he presented necessary matters to the king, and the king allowed what was possible. Lysias also asks for good will toward the government and sends representatives to confer with them.
02The king explains his decisionThe next document is the king’s letter to Lysias. It says the Jews did not agree to be turned to Greek customs, but chose their own way of living and asked that the customs of their law be allowed.
Explanation
The next document is the king’s letter to Lysias. It says the Jews did not agree to be turned to Greek customs, but chose their own way of living and asked that the customs of their law be allowed. Because of this, the king determines that they should be free from disturbance and that the temple should be restored to them.
03The king writes directly to the JewsThe king’s next letter is addressed to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews. It speaks of friendship and gives permission for the Jews to use their own foods and observe their own laws as before.
Explanation
The king’s next letter is addressed to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews. It speaks of friendship and gives permission for the Jews to use their own foods and observe their own laws as before. It also says that none of them should be molested for things done in ignorance, and mentions Menelaus being sent to encourage them.
04Roman consent and the codaThe Roman ambassadors add their consent to what Lysias granted. They also ask for someone to be sent quickly about matters that should still be referred to the king, so suitable decrees can be published.
Explanation
The Roman ambassadors add their consent to what Lysias granted. They also ask for someone to be sent quickly about matters that should still be referred to the king, so suitable decrees can be published. The coda then records the result in simple terms: Lysias departed to the king, and the Jews went about their farming.
Questions to explore
01What part do John and Absalom play in the opening letter?
Lysias says they delivered a written document from the Jews and made a request about what was written there.
02Which specific permissions and assurances does the king name for the Jews?
Look for the exact items stated in the letters, including the temple, their own foods, their own laws, friendship, and freedom from molestation.
03How does the Roman letter add to the other letters?
It does not start a different settlement, but gives consent to what Lysias granted and asks for prompt further communication on unresolved matters.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Maccabees 11:16–38
16The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings.
17John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.
18Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
19If then you will all preserve your good will toward the government, I will also endeavor in the future to contribute to your good.
20Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.
21Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month Dioscorinthius.”
22And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.
23Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,
24we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them—
25choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.
26You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”
27And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.
28If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.
29Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
30They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our friendship, with full permission
31that the Jews use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.
32Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.
33Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”
34The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
35In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.
36But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.
37Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.
38Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.
2 Maccabees 12:1
1So when this agreement had been made, Lysias departed to the king, and the Jews went about their farming.