Chapter 11
Lysias attempts to conquer the Jews and to sell the priesthood. A bishop in a white garment is sent by God to the Jews as a help, etc.
11:5 And approaching Bethsura, which was in a narrow place at a distance of five stadia from Jerusalem, he was storming that stronghold.
Bethsura was a city in the tribe of Judah or Benjamin, and even to this day Bethsura is seen as we go from Aelia to Hebron at the twentieth milestone; near it there is a spring bubbling up at the foot of the mountain, which is absorbed by the same soil in which it is produced; and the Acts of the Apostles recount that the eunuch of Candace the queen was baptized here by Philip. (Acts 8:26-40).
11:6 But when Machabaeus and those who were with him learned that the strongholds were being stormed, with weeping and tears they begged the Lord, etc.
What Lysias, the most savage enemy of the Jews, who holds the leadership of the pagans, signifies [namely] those who grievously harass the Church of God with most severe persecutions, has already been said. When he persecutes the teachers and confessors of Christ with the gravest scandals, and, relying on the arrogance of his pride, is exalted by the empty favor of those who follow him, he plans in his heart to profane the sanctuary and trample upon the law of God. Yet he does not prosper in his deeds according to his plotted deceit; rather, he is routed and cast down by the soldiers of Christ, who, with the humblest prayers, seek help from on high. To them a leader on horseback is sent for aid, in white raiment and golden armor, because to them the most pure incarnation of God and man is granted to crush the stubbornness of all enemies; whose golden arms, that is, his words and examples, are most bright and beautiful, and there is no power in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, that can resist him.
But just as in the prophetic vision of Daniel it was foreshown (Dan. 2), a precious stone cut from the mountain, either by hands or without hands, crushed the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and it became a great mountain that filled the whole earth, whose kingdom shall not be destroyed forever, and its kingdom shall not be given to another people, Christ will crush and consume all kingdoms, and will stand forever. But the saints of the most high God will receive the kingdom, and they will possess it unto the age, indeed unto the ages of ages.
11:21-22 In the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month Dioscorus. This royal letter contained: King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings. Our father having been translated among the gods, we, wishing those who are in our kingdom to live without disturbance and to give careful attention to their own affairs, have heard that the Jews did not consent to my father, etc.
That month, which among the Greeks is called Dioscorus, is the same as that which among the Latins is called June. To this month, therefore, the signs of Gemini are assigned. For Gemini, that is Castor and Pollux, are in Greek called Dioscori. Witness to this fact is the city of Collorum (so written), which, having been laid low by Amphius and Circius, the charioteers of the Twins, was renamed by their title Dioscori. For many interpret Dioscori as “charioteers”; they are, however, the Twins, as we have said, Castor and Pollux. But the fact that Lysias, constrained by fear of the Jews, persuaded Antiochus to enter into an agreement with the Jews, shows that the enemies of the Church are often overcome by divine power, and, although not by their own will, yet by necessity yield to it, when they cannot bring to completion what they desire.
11:33-34 In the one hundred and forty-eighth year, in the seventh month of Pandicus, the Romans also sent a letter, etc.
The month Pandicus among the Athenians is the same as that which among us is called April and among the Hebrews Nisan, among whom, according to the precept of the law, this month is the first of the months of the year, in which they also celebrate Passover.