The books of 3 and 4 Maccabees – What are they?

what does the bible say?

The books of 3 and 4 Maccabees are intertestamental writings that reflect Jewish perseverance and philosophy during times of persecution but lack the divine authority of Scripture. The book of 3 Maccabees recounts the suffering of Jews under Ptolemy IV and celebrates God’s deliverance, while 4 Maccabees uses the martyrdom of faithful Jews to argue that reason guided by devotion to God conquers passion. Three and 4 Maccabees provide historical and moral insight but do not meet the biblical standard of inspiration or prophetic authority outlined in Scripture. That standard, as presented in the Old Testament, is that the message must come directly from God (Deuteronomy 18:18; Jeremiah 1:9; Exodus 24:4; Numbers 12:6). Three and 4 Maccabees do not come from God. The New Testament warns against extrabiblical philosophies and presents the sufficiency of Scripture as our guide to life (Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). While the Maccabean writings offer valuable context for understanding Jewish faith under oppression, the true fulfillment of hope and endurance is revealed not through philosophy or human courage but through Jesus Christ, the ultimate deliverer and Savior.

from the old testament

• The Old Testament establishes clear criteria for authoritative Scripture: it must come directly from God (Deuteronomy 18:18; Jeremiah 1:9; Exodus 24:4), reveal His covenant (Deuteronomy 31:26), and have prophetic or divine authority (Numbers 12:6). Three and 4 Maccabees, though historically interesting, are human accounts or reflections rather than divinely inspired, and therefore cannot guide faith or practice in the same way the Old Testament canon does.

from the new testament

• The New Testament warns against relying on human traditions, apocryphal writings, or speculative teachings as sources of divine truth. Colossians 2:8 cautions believers not to be taken captive by “philosophy and empty deceit.”
• Second Timothy 3:16–17 emphasizes that Scripture alone equips believers for teaching, correction, and righteousness. Like other pseudepigrapha, 3 and 4 Maccabees may offer historical insight, but they do not provide God’s authoritative revelation or salvation truth, which is fully revealed in Jesus Christ and the canonical Scriptures.

implications for today

There are five books of the Maccabees. First and Second Maccabees are part of the deuterocanonical books used by the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and Anglican Church. The creators of the Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Old Testament created about two to three hundred years before Jesus, called 1 and 2 Maccabees “useful writings” but not inspired Scripture. Three Maccabees tells the story of Jewish persecution under Ptolemy IV Philopator (c. 222—205 BC). It was probably written between 100 BC and AD 30, though the date of writing and author are uncertain. Contrary to its title, it does not describe the actions of the Maccabees. It is considered canon in the Armenian Bible. Four Maccabees is more philosophical than historical. In it, the idea that pious reason trumps passion is illustrated by the martyrdom of Eleazer and the Maccabean youths under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Church historian Eusebius named Jewish historian Josephus as the author, but critics have since disputed that claim. Most agree 4 Maccabees was written prior to AD 70. It is listed as canon in the Georgian Orthodox Bible. The other Maccabees, 5 Maccabees, is also known as the Arabic 2 Maccabees, and was written much later. Most Protestant churches and denominations do not consider any of the five Maccabees books to be the inspired Word of God, which is why they are not part of the Protestant canon. They hold historical interest but are not authoritative regarding matters of spirituality.

Recap

understand

• Three and 4 Maccabees are historical and philosophical writings from the intertestamental period.
• The books are not considered canonical by Protestants.
• Three and 4 Maccabees reveal Jewish endurance and hope, pointing to the true deliverance fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

reflect

• How do you discern between writings that are historically valuable and those that are considered canon?
• When you face trials, how do you turn to the truth and power found in Scripture?
• How does understanding that true deliverance comes through Jesus Christ—not human courage or philosophy—shape your response to hardship?

engage

• In what ways do 3 and 4 Maccabees highlight human faithfulness, and how does the New Testament redefine that faithfulness through Christ?
• How do we distinguish inspired Scripture from writings of contextual value?
• How should the truths shown in 3 and 4 Maccabees be seen and understood in light of the rest of Scripture?