Single lesson
Mattathias' Final Charge
1 Maccabees 2:49–68
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.
Before you teach
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.
Describe the central teaching of Mattathias' Final Charge, using two details from the reading. Mattathias urges his sons to stand firm in a troubled time by remembering earlier faithfulness and holding fast to the law.
Welcome: Mattathias' Final Charge
4 minIntroduce “Mattathias' Final Charge” and locate 1 Maccabees 2:49–68. Mattathias urges his sons to stand firm in a troubled time by remembering earlier faithfulness and holding fast to the law. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
1 Maccabees 2:49, 1 Maccabees 2:59, 1 Maccabees 2:68
Read and explain the passage
8 minMattathias 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Mattathias' Final Charge”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
1 Maccabees 2:49, 1 Maccabees 2:50, 1 Maccabees 2:61, 1 Maccabees 2:62, 1 Maccabees 2:63, 1 Maccabees 2:64, 1 Maccabees 2:65, 1 Maccabees 2:66, 1 Maccabees 2:67, 1 Maccabees 2:68
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How do verses 49 to 50 explain why Mattathias speaks so urgently?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Mattathias urges his sons to stand firm in a troubled time by remembering earlier faithfulness and holding fast to the law. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
1 Maccabees 2:49, 1 Maccabees 2:50, 1 Maccabees 2:51, 1 Maccabees 2:52, 1 Maccabees 2:53, 1 Maccabees 2:54, 1 Maccabees 2:55, 1 Maccabees 2:56, 1 Maccabees 2:57, 1 Maccabees 2:58, 1 Maccabees 2:59, 1 Maccabees 2:60, 1 Maccabees 2:64, 1 Maccabees 2:65, 1 Maccabees 2:66, 1 Maccabees 2:67, 1 Maccabees 2:68
Make and respond: Read and respond sheet
9 minWork on “Mattathias' Final Charge: Read and respond sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Mattathias' Final Charge” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
1 Maccabees 2:49, 1 Maccabees 2:59, 1 Maccabees 2:68
Closing: return to Mattathias' Final Charge
3 minRevisit 1 Maccabees 2:49–68. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Mattathias' Final Charge and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
1 Maccabees 2:49, 1 Maccabees 2:59, 1 Maccabees 2:68
Questions to explore
How 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.
1 Maccabees 2:49, 1 Maccabees 2:50
What 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.
1 Maccabees 2:51, 1 Maccabees 2:52, 1 Maccabees 2:53, 1 Maccabees 2:54, 1 Maccabees 2:55, 1 Maccabees 2:56, 1 Maccabees 2:57, 1 Maccabees 2:58, 1 Maccabees 2:59, 1 Maccabees 2:60
Which 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.
1 Maccabees 2:64, 1 Maccabees 2:65, 1 Maccabees 2:66, 1 Maccabees 2:67, 1 Maccabees 2:68
Make, think or respond
Mattathias' Final Charge: Read and respond sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A key statement”, “A supporting detail”, “A question to discuss”.
- Read 1 Maccabees 2:49–68. Use “Mattathias' Final Charge” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Write one sentence explaining the passage, using a detail from your sheet as evidence.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Mattathias' Final Charge connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Mattathias' Final Charge as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Mattathias' Final Charge and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read 1 Maccabees 2:49–68. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Maccabees 2
49 The 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.
50 Now, my children, be zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51 Call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name.
52 Wasn’t Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness?
53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt.
54 Phinehas our father, because he was exceedingly zealous, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55 Joshua became a judge in Israel for fulfilling the word.
56 Caleb obtained a heritage in the land for testifying in the congregation.
57 David inherited the throne of a kingdom forever and ever for being merciful.
58 Elijah was taken up into heaven because he was exceedingly zealous for the law.
59 Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed, and were saved out of the flame.
60 Daniel 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.
62 Don’t be afraid of the words of a sinful man; for his glory will be dung and worms.
63 Today 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.
64 You, my children, be strong, and show yourselves men on behalf of the law; for in it you will obtain glory.
65 Behold, Simon your brother, whom I know to be a man of counsel. Always listen to him. He shall be a father to you.
66 Judas Maccabaeus has been strong and mighty from his youth. He shall be your captain and shall fight the battle of the people.
67 Rally around all the doers of the law, and avenge the wrong done to your people.
68 Repay the Gentiles, and obey the commandments of the law.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.