| II Maccabees 14:1
| But *after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis, to places proper for his purpose,
| Year of the World 3842, Year before Christ 162. But. Read 1 Machabees 7:1. (Worthington) --- Years of Eupator's reign, or dating from the purification of the temple. --- Demetrius, to whom the crown belonged, 1 Machabees 7:1.
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| II Maccabees 14:2
| And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general, Lysias.
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| II Maccabees 14:3
| Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,
| Priest, after Menelaus, (1 Machabees 7:5.) but never recognized, as Judas was then pontiff. He had, moreover, voluntarily defiled himself during the times of persecution; or, according to most Greek copies, (Calmet) when there was "no mixture" of Gentiles in the land to instigate him. (Haydock) --- Though he was of Aaron's stock, this apostacy rendered him ineligible; Mathathias was chosen, being also descended from Aaron, and more sincere in religion. (Worthington)
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| II Maccabees 14:4
| Came to king Demetrius in the year *one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs which seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.
| Year of the World 3843. Fifty, according to the Chaldean reckoning, 2 Machabees 2:21. (Menochius) --- Boughs; probably (Haydock) of gold, (Worthington) or adorned with leaves of that metal. People presented what they thought proper to the temple. The apostles admired these gifts, as well as the stones of that fabric, Luke 21:5.
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| II Maccabees 14:5
| But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels,
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| II Maccabees 14:6
| He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.
| \f + \fr 14:6-11\ft Assideans: the most zealous defenders of the faith. Alcimus had slain sixty of them, 1 Machabees 7:12, 19. (Calmet) --- This description, given by enemies through malice, serves to shew the zeal and sincerity of these people in promoting God's law and virtue. --- Him. See 1 Machabees 7:26. (Worthington) --- Alcimus was guilty of much falsehood. He was not of the family to which the high priesthood belonged, and he had rendered himself unworthy of it, ver. 3, 7.
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| II Maccabees 14:7
| For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:
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| II Maccabees 14:8
| Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men.
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| II Maccabees 14:9
| Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men,
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| II Maccabees 14:10
| For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
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| II Maccabees 14:11
| Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.
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| II Maccabees 14:12
| And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:
| Nicanor; perhaps the same who had been defeated, 2 Machabees 8:21., and 1 Machabees 4:8.
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| II Maccabees 14:13
| Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.
| Great temple. Such was the pagan's idea of it, ver. 31.
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| II Maccabees 14:14
| Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.
| Gentiles and apostate Jews. (Calmet) --- Such people and politicians advanced themselves by pillaging the faithful. (Worthington)
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| II Maccabees 14:15
| Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.
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| II Maccabees 14:16
| Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.
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| II Maccabees 14:17
| Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.
| Coming. Greek, "silence," (Bodwell) fearing some stratagem.
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| II Maccabees 14:18
| Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas' companions, and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.
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| II Maccabees 14:19
| Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.
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| II Maccabees 14:20
| And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind to consent to covenants.
| Captain. Judas laid the proposals before all the people.
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| II Maccabees 14:21
| So they appointed a day upon which they might commune together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.
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| II Maccabees 14:22
| But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.
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| II Maccabees 14:23
| And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.
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| II Maccabees 14:24
| And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.
| From the heart; sincerely. (Calmet) --- Greek, "he had Judas always in sight." (Haydock) --- His love was only apparent. (Tirinus) --- Yet this is contrary to the text, (Haydock) and to the common opinion.
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| II Maccabees 14:25
| And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.
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| II Maccabees 14:26
| But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.
| His successor, so as to keep Alcimus out of his office. (Calmet)
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| II Maccabees 14:27
| Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's wicked accusations, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.
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| II Maccabees 14:28
| When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.
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| II Maccabees 14:29
| But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.
| The king. Nicanor was a worldly politician, like Pilate and other judges who have no zeal for religion, (Worthington) or for justice, being disposed to sacrifice all to their own interest. (Haydock)
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| II Maccabees 14:30
| But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.
| A few. Greek and Syriac, "not a few." (Haydock) --- Nicanor attacked him, and lost 5000 men, 1 Machabees 12:27. (Calmet)
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| II Maccabees 14:31
| But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.
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| II Maccabees 14:32
| And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,
| Knew not. This was true, and they would not seek for him (Worthington) if it had been required.
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| II Maccabees 14:33
| And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.
| Bacchus: a very suitable temple, when beaten to the ground! (Haydock) --- He is styled Liber, and accounted the inventor of wine: hence drunkards dedicate temples to him. (Worthington)
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| II Maccabees 14:34
| And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:
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| II Maccabees 14:35
| Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
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| II Maccabees 14:36
| Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.
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| II Maccabees 14:37
| Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his kindness was called the father of the Jews.
| Jews. No crime could be laid to his charge, but his love for religion and his country.
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| II Maccabees 14:38
| This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.
| Had held. Greek, "when they were unmixed, had been judged for Judaism; (Haydock) or been brought to judgment for keeping others from idolatry. (Syriac) (Calmet)
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| II Maccabees 14:39
| So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
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| II Maccabees 14:40
| For he thought by ensnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.
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| II Maccabees 14:41
| Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:
| He struck himself, etc. St. Augustine (Epist. lxi. ad Dulcitium et lib. 2. cap. 23. ad Epist. 2. Gaud.) discussing this fact of Razias, says that the holy Scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to be admired or imitated, and that it was not well done by him, or at least not proper in this time of grace. (Challoner) --- Whether he was thus inspired or not, we dare not decide. The Jews infer form the conduct of Samson, Saul, and Razias, that suicide is lawful when a person fears being overcome by torments, or giving occasion to other's blasphemy. But Christianity lays down better maxims; (Romans 3:8.) and St. Augustine, (contra Gaud. 1:31., and ep. 61 or 204) St. Thomas Aquinas, ([Summa Theologiae] 2:2. q. 64. a. 5.) and others, disapprove of this action, observing that it is recorded and not praised, though other virtues of Razias be commended. (Calmet) --- It was either not well done, or not to be imitated in this time of grace. (St. Augustine, 2:23. contra ep. 2. Gaud.) (Worthington) --- Yet this holy doctor excuses Samson and some Christian virgins, by saying that they acted by the direction of the Holy Spirit. (Sup. and City of God 1:21.) (Haydock) (Lyranus) Tirinius) --- This seems to be here the case, as the fact appears to be commended. (Menochius)
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| II Maccabees 14:42
| Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.
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| II Maccabees 14:43
| But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd:
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| II Maccabees 14:44
| But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck.
| Neck. Venit per medium cervicem. --- In the Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no building; (Challoner; Grotius) and also "the belly," which accounts for his not being killed on the spot. (G.[Calmet?])
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| II Maccabees 14:45
| And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:
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| II Maccabees 14:46
| And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life.
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