2 maccabees 13:4 - But the King of kings stirred up the passion of Antiochus against the wicked wretch; and when Lysias informed him that this man was the cause of all the evils, the king commanded to bring him to Beroea, and to put him to death after the manner of that place.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 maccabees 13:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 13:4 describes a moment of divine intervention and punishment in the historical narrative. Let's break it down:
"But the King of kings stirred up the passion of Antiochus against the wicked wretch..." This is the key statement. "King of kings" is a title for God, indicating that He is ultimately in control and supreme over all earthly rulers. The phrase "stirred up the passion" implies that God influenced Antiochus's anger or hatred towards the individual being discussed. This person is described as a "wicked wretch," highlighting his perceived evil deeds or transgressions. This suggests that God is using Antiochus, even though he is not necessarily a righteous ruler himself, as an instrument of divine justice.
"...and when Lysias informed him that this man was the cause of all the evils..." Lysias was a high-ranking official in Antiochus's government. His accusation against the "wicked wretch" reinforces the idea that this person was responsible for problems and unrest. Lysias's information likely confirms or amplifies the anger already stirred up in Antiochus by divine intervention.
"...the king commanded to bring him to Beroea, and to put him to death after the manner of that place." Antiochus's response is swift and severe. He orders the person's execution, specifying that it should occur in Beroea (a city in ancient Macedonia/Greece) and according to the local customs of execution there. The phrase "after the manner of that place" suggests that Beroea had a particularly gruesome or public way of executing criminals, which would serve as a greater deterrent to others.
In summary, the verse is saying that God, in His sovereignty, fueled Antiochus's anger toward a man considered wicked and the source of trouble. This was confirmed by Lysias, leading Antiochus to order the man's execution in a particularly harsh and public manner in Beroea.
Significance in the context of 2 Maccabees:
This passage is part of the larger narrative of the Maccabean Revolt, where Jewish people resisted the oppressive rule of the Seleucid Empire under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The author of 2 Maccabees sees God as actively intervening in these events, rewarding those who are faithful to Jewish law and punishing those who are wicked or who collaborate with the oppressors. It offers a religious explanation for the success of the revolt. It affirms that God is the ultimate power behind the events and that the Jewish people should trust in Him.
2 maccabees 13:4 - But the King of kings stirred up the passion of Antiochus against the wicked wretch; and when Lysias informed him that this man was the cause of all the evils, the king commanded to bring him to Beroea, and to put him to death after the manner of that place.
What does "2 maccabees 13:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 13:4 describes a moment of divine intervention and punishment in the historical narrative. Let's break it down:
"But the King of kings stirred up the passion of Antiochus against the wicked wretch..." This is the key statement. "King of kings" is a title for God, indicating that He is ultimately in control and supreme over all earthly rulers. The phrase "stirred up the passion" implies that God influenced Antiochus's anger or hatred towards the individual being discussed. This person is described as a "wicked wretch," highlighting his perceived evil deeds or transgressions. This suggests that God is using Antiochus, even though he is not necessarily a righteous ruler himself, as an instrument of divine justice.
"...and when Lysias informed him that this man was the cause of all the evils..." Lysias was a high-ranking official in Antiochus's government. His accusation against the "wicked wretch" reinforces the idea that this person was responsible for problems and unrest. Lysias's information likely confirms or amplifies the anger already stirred up in Antiochus by divine intervention.
"...the king commanded to bring him to Beroea, and to put him to death after the manner of that place." Antiochus's response is swift and severe. He orders the person's execution, specifying that it should occur in Beroea (a city in ancient Macedonia/Greece) and according to the local customs of execution there. The phrase "after the manner of that place" suggests that Beroea had a particularly gruesome or public way of executing criminals, which would serve as a greater deterrent to others.
In summary, the verse is saying that God, in His sovereignty, fueled Antiochus's anger toward a man considered wicked and the source of trouble. This was confirmed by Lysias, leading Antiochus to order the man's execution in a particularly harsh and public manner in Beroea.
Significance in the context of 2 Maccabees:
This passage is part of the larger narrative of the Maccabean Revolt, where Jewish people resisted the oppressive rule of the Seleucid Empire under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The author of 2 Maccabees sees God as actively intervening in these events, rewarding those who are faithful to Jewish law and punishing those who are wicked or who collaborate with the oppressors. It offers a religious explanation for the success of the revolt. It affirms that God is the ultimate power behind the events and that the Jewish people should trust in Him.