Maccabees and Martyrdom in Early Christianity

4 Maccabees 7:4 Supporting witness

Not so has ever a city, when besieged, held out against many and various machines, as did that holy man, when his pious soul was tried with the fiery trial of tortures and rackings, move his besiegers through the religious reasoning that shielded him.

4 Maccabees 6:11 Supporting witness

His countenance sweating, and he panting for breath, he was admired by the very torturers for his courage.

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Supporting witness

And, in like manner, those who were condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful tortures, being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and subjected to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them to a denial [of Christ].

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Supporting witness

thus proving to us all that those holy martyrs of Christ, at the very time when they suffered such torments, were absent from the body, or rather, that the Lord then stood by them, and communed with them.

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Supporting witness

And truly, who can fail to admire their nobleness of mind, and their patience, with that love towards their Lord which they displayed?—who, when they were so torn with scourges, that the frame of their bodies, even to the very inward veins and arteries, was laid open, still patiently endured, while even those that stood by pitied and bewailed them.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, On All the Saints Supporting witness

...t this all the more boldly, since the Father asks it of me, and the Church is with me, and the holy martyrs strengthen what is weak in me for this very purpose. For they have moved aged men to complete a long course with much love, and have compelled them to support their failing steps with the staff of the word. They have stirred women to finish their course like young men, and they have brought even the very young to this also, yes, even crawling children. In this way the martyrs have shown their power. They leap for joy in the presence of death. They laugh at the sword. They make sport of the anger of princes. They seize death as the producer of deathlessness. By their fall they make victory their own. Through the body they take their leap to heaven. They let their limbs be scattered abroad so that they might keep their souls. And by bursting the bars of life, they open the gates of heaven. And if anyone does not believe that death has been abolished, that Hades has been trampled underfoot, that its chains are broken, and that the tyrant is bound, let him look at the martyrs sporting in the presence of death and raising the joyful song of Christ's victory. O what a wonder! Fr

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

...dful reproaches connected with confessing Him as God, rather than escape for a short time from such sufferings, which people count as evils, by letting our words agree with the will of the enemies of the truth. Therefore, we are led to believe that the powers of evil do suffer defeat by the death of the holy martyrs. It is as if their patience, their confession even to death, and their zeal for piety, dulled the edge of the attack of evil powers against the sufferer. And when the strength of those powers is thus dulled and worn out, many others whom they had conquered raise their heads and are set free from the burden with which the evil powers had formerly oppressed and harmed them. And even the martyrs themselves are no longer caught in suffering, even though those agents that formerly worked harm to others are not exhausted. For the one who has offered such a sacrifice overcomes the power that opposed him, as I may show by an illustration suited to this subject. Whoever destroys a poisonous animal, or lulls it to sleep with charms, or in any way takes away its venom, does good to many who otherwise would have suffered from that animal if it had not been destroyed, charmed, or

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...stand. If the battle calls you out, if the day of your contest comes, engage bravely and fight with constancy, knowing that you are fighting under the eyes of a Lord who is present, and that by confessing His name you are attaining to His own glory. He is not one who only looks upon His servants. He Himself also wrestles in us. He Himself is engaged. He Himself, in the struggles of our conflict, not only crowns but is also crowned. But if before the day of your contest peace should come, by the mercy of God, let there still remain in you a sound will and a glorious conscience. Let no one be saddened, as if he were inferior to those who before you have suffered tortures, overcome the world, and trampled it underfoot, and so have come to the Lord by a glorious road. For the Lord is the searcher of the reins and hearts. Revelation 2:23. He sees through secret things and beholds what is hidden. To deserve the crown from Him, His own testimony alone is enough, for He will judge us. Therefore, beloved brothers, either case is equally lofty and glorious. The first is more secure, namely, to hasten to the Lord with the completion of our victory. The second is more joyful, since leave is

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...ss other cities cannot be foolish. If one province or one nation is without prudence, the rest must understand what is right. But since the divine law has been received from the rising of the sun to its setting, and each sex, every age, nation, and country obeys God with one and the same mind—since there is everywhere the same patient endurance, the same contempt of death—they ought to have understood that there is some reason in this matter. They ought to have understood that it is not defended even to death without cause, and that there is some foundation and firmness which not only frees this religion from injuries and attacks, but always increases it and makes it stronger. For in this also the malice of those people is brought to light, who think they have completely overthrown the religion of God if they have corrupted men, when those men are also allowed to make satisfaction to God. And there is no worshipper of God so evil that he does not, when the opportunity is given to him, return to appease God, and do so with even greater devotion. For the awareness of sin and the fear of punishment make a man more religious, and faith is always much stronger when it is restored thr

Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Supporting witness

Then these latter, assuming such to be the case with regard to the practices of Christians, gave information regarding it to other Greeks, and sought to compel the martyrs Sanctus and Blandina to confess, under the influence of torture, [that the allegation was correct].

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

For when the people see that men are lacerated by various kinds of tortures, and that they retain their patience unsubdued while the executioners are wearied, they think, as is really the case, that neither the agreement of so many nor the constancy of the dying is without meaning, and that patience itself could not surmount such great tortures without the aid of God.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

For it is plain that, though beheaded, and crucified, and thrown to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of torture, we do not give up our confession;

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness

But if any one, neither frightened by threats nor by tortures, shall have chosen to prefer his faith to his life, cruelty puts forth all its ingenuity against him, plans dreadful and intolerable things;

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

But we, because we refuse to sacrifice to those to whom we were of old accustomed to sacrifice, undergo extreme penalties, and rejoice in death,—believing that God will raise us up by His Christ, and will make us incorruptible, and undisturbed, and immortal;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

VIII. Now concerning the martyrs, we say to you that they are to be had in all honour with you, as we honour the blessed James the bishop, and the holy Stephen our fellow-servant.

4 Maccabees 12:1 Direct teaching

When he, too, had undergone blessed martyrdom, and died in the caldron into which he had been thrown, the seventh, the youngest of all, came forward:

4 Maccabees 8:2 Supporting witness

The tyrant having given this charge, seven brethren were brought into his presence, along with their aged mother, handsome, and modest, and wellborn, and altogether comely.

2 Maccabees 10:35 Supporting witness

Nevertheless upon the fifth day early twenty young men of Maccabeus’ company, inflamed with anger because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall manly, and with a fierce courage killed all that they met withal.

2 Maccabees 11:7 Supporting witness

Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind.

2 Maccabees 8:16 Supporting witness

So Maccabeus called his men together unto the number of six thousand, and exhorted them not to be stricken with terror of the enemy, nor to fear the great multitude of the heathen, who came wrongfully against them; but to fight manfully,

2 Maccabees 5:27 Supporting witness

But Judas Maccabeus with nine others, or thereabout, withdrew himself into the wilderness, and lived in the mountains after the manner of beasts, with his company, who fed on herbs continually, lest they should be partakers of the pollution.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...peak proudly about the honor of his own confession. Instead, he ascribed it to his sins that he was suffering persecution from the king, while he gave to God the fact that afterward he would be avenged. He taught that martyrs are modest, that they were confident of vengeance, and that they boasted of nothing in their suffering. "Do not," he said, "needlessly go astray; for we suffer these things on our own account, because we have sinned against our God. But do not think that you will be unpunished, you who dare to fight against God." Also, the admirable mother, neither broken by the weakness of her sex nor moved by her many losses, looked on her dying children with cheerfulness. She did not count these things as punishments of her dear children, but as glories. She gave as great a witness to God by the courage of her eyes as her children had given by the tortures and afflictions of their limbs. After the punishment and killing of six, there remained one of the brothers. To him the king promised riches, power, and many things, so that his cruelty and ferocity might be softened by the satisfaction of even one person being subdued. And he asked that the mother would entreat that h

2 Maccabees 11:6 Supporting witness

Now when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to deliver Israel.

2 Maccabees 10:16 Supporting witness

Then they that were with Maccabeus made supplication, and besought God that he would be their helper; and so they ran with violence upon the strongholds of the Idumeans,

Isaiah 12:1 Supporting witness

When he, too, had undergone blessed martyrdom, and died in the caldron into which he had been thrown, the seventh, the youngest of all, came forward:

Isaiah 14:9 Supporting witness

We now shudder at the recital of the affliction of those young men; but they not only beheld, and not only heard the immediate execution of the threat, but undergoing it, persevered; and that through the pains of fire.

Isaiah 9:6 Supporting witness

But if aged men of the Hebrews have died in the cause of religion after enduring torture, more rightly should we younger men die, scorning your cruel tortures, which our aged instructor overcame.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 Supporting witness

Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapor of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,

Isaiah 17:2 Supporting witness

O thou mother, who together with seven children didst destroy the violence of the tyrant, and render void his wicked intentions, and exhibit the nobleness of faith!

Ecclesiastes 7:20 Supporting witness

But the mother was marvelous above all, and worthy of honorable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope she had in the Lord.

2 Maccabees 7:1 Supporting witness

It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine’s flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.

4 Maccabees 14:4 Supporting witness

None of the seven youths turned cowardly, or shrank back from death.

Isaiah 17:9 Supporting witness

Here an aged priest, and an aged woman, and seven sons, are buried through the violence of a tyrant, who wished to destroy the polity of the Hebrews.

Isaiah 13:1 Supporting witness

If then, the seven brethren despised troubles even unto death, it is confessed on all sides that righteous reasoning is absolute master over the passions.

Isaiah 1:8 Supporting witness

but I shall prove it with the greatest force from the fortitude of Eleazar, and seven brethren, and their mother, who suffered death in defense of virtue.

Isaiah 14:3 Supporting witness

Sacred and harmonious concert of the seven brethren as concerning piety!

Isaiah 17:10 Supporting witness

These also avenged their nation, looking unto God, and enduring torments unto death.

Isaiah 14:5 Supporting witness

But all of them, as though running the road to immortality, hastened on to death through tortures.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 Supporting witness

It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine’s flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...he divine zeal with which they fought to receive the heavenly crown, and so they gave themselves to martyrdom with great boldness. This was especially so when they saw some people being drawn away, that is, led astray and deceived by the devil, and falling away or denying godliness. Therefore they were inwardly set on fire, and their hearts were burning, because they heard that in this way they would battle against and defeat the proud enemy, the devil. They were eager to undergo martyrdom so that the devil might not boast or think himself wise, as if by his craft and malice he had overcome those who willingly sought martyrdom. Yet he did not realize that he himself was rather defeated by those fighters who bravely endured the torments. Therefore it is right to agree with this, which has also been decreed, for the faithful who pray for those who are suffering punishment and are distressed by it. And it cannot be harmful in any way to share in the grief and suffering of the parents or other relatives on behalf of those who have given their testimony and undergone martyrdom, but have fallen away through the devil's tricks and snares. For we know that many have received the goodnes

4 Maccabees 14:9 Supporting witness

We now shudder at the recital of the affliction of those young men; but they not only beheld, and not only heard the immediate execution of the threat, but undergoing it, persevered; and that through the pains of fire.

4 Maccabees 9:6 Supporting witness

But if aged men of the Hebrews have died in the cause of religion after enduring torture, more rightly should we younger men die, scorning your cruel tortures, which our aged instructor overcame.

4 Maccabees 17:2 Supporting witness

O thou mother, who together with seven children didst destroy the violence of the tyrant, and render void his wicked intentions, and exhibit the nobleness of faith!

4 Maccabees 9:28 Supporting witness

after they with the iron hands had violently dragged all the flesh from the neck to the chin, the panther-like beasts tore off the very skin of his head: but he, bearing with firmness this misery, said,

4 Maccabees 17:23 Supporting witness

For the tyrant Antiochus, looking to their manly virtue, and to their endurance in torture, proclaimed that endurance as an example to his soldiers.

4 Maccabees 13:1 Supporting witness

If then, the seven brethren despised troubles even unto death, it is confessed on all sides that righteous reasoning is absolute master over the passions.

4 Maccabees 9:22 Supporting witness

But, as though transformed by fire into immortality, he nobly endured the rackings, saying,

4 Maccabees 17:10 Supporting witness

These also avenged their nation, looking unto God, and enduring torments unto death.

Julius Africanus, Extant Writings Supporting witness

...e, which Migne also cites, is as follows: "The narrative of the martyrdom of St. Symphorosa and her seven sons, which we here publish, is ascribed in the manuscripts to Julius Africanus, a writer of the highest reputation. And it may perhaps have been inserted in his books on Chronography, a work which Eusebius, in Hist. Eccles. vi. 31, testifies was written with the greatest care, since in these he detailed the chief events in history from the foundation of the world to the times of the Emperor Heliogabalus. However, as that work is lost, I would not venture to assert positively that this narrative is really to be ascribed to Africanus, although at the same time there seems to be no ground for doubting its genuineness. We print it, moreover, from the editions of Mombritius, Surius, and Cardulus, compared with two Colbert manuscripts and one in the library of the Sorbonne. The occasion for the death of these saints was found in the vicinity of that most famous palace which, according to Spartianus, was built by Adrian at his country seat at Tiber. For when the emperor gave orders that this palace, which he had built for his pleasure, should be purified by some piacular ceremonie

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...re trying to do in this matter. For if they say that the Gospel has established one ruling, but the martyrs have established another, then by setting the martyrs against the Gospel they will be in danger from both sides. On the one hand, the majesty of the Gospel will seem broken and cast down if it can be overcome by some new ruling. On the other hand, the glorious crown of confession will be taken from the heads of the martyrs if they are not found to have gained it by keeping that Gospel from which they become martyrs. And so, rightly, no one should be more careful not to decide anything contrary to the Gospel than the one who strives to receive the name of martyr from the Gospel. Besides this, we would like to be told the following: if martyrs become martyrs for no other reason than that, by not sacrificing, they may keep the peace of the Church even to the shedding of their own blood, lest by being overcome under the pain of torture and by losing peace they might lose salvation, then on what principle do they think that the salvation which they thought they would not have if they had sacrificed should be given to those who are said to have sacrificed? This is especially so

4 Maccabees 17:9 Background

Here an aged priest, and an aged woman, and seven sons, are buried through the violence of a tyrant, who wished to destroy the polity of the Hebrews.

4 Maccabees 14:3 Background

Sacred and harmonious concert of the seven brethren as concerning piety!

4 Maccabees 13:23 Background

Brotherly love being thus sympathetically constituted, the seven brethren had a more sympathetic mutual harmony.