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Simon Paid for Jonathan and Built Freedom Anyway

Simon knows Tryphon is lying about the ransom, pays it anyway for the people's sake, and turns his grief into the first real Jewish independence.

Curated by Arthur · Told by Maggid ·
Table of Contents
  1. He Became Leader Before He Had Time to Grieve
  2. Tryphon Used Jonathan as a Weapon
  3. He Brought the Bones Home to Modi'in
  4. Demetrius Wrote the Letter That Changed Everything

He Became Leader Before He Had Time to Grieve

When Jonathan was captured by Tryphon, the people turned to Simon before anyone had a plan. He stood before them in Jerusalem and spoke: you know what I, my brothers, and my father's house have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the wars and distresses which we have seen. By reason of this all my brethren are slain for Israel's sake, and I am left alone. Now therefore be it far from me that I should spare my own life in any time of trouble, for I am no better than my brethren.

The people's spirit revived. They answered that Simon would be their leader in place of Judas and Jonathan and their father. Then Simon gathered fighters and hurried to finish the walls of Jerusalem, because grief without fortification would not save anyone. He had become a leader before the mourning had any space to settle.

Tryphon Used Jonathan as a Weapon

Tryphon brought his army into Judea and sent messages to Simon. He was holding Jonathan, Tryphon said, because Jonathan owed money to the royal treasury for the offices he held. Send one hundred talents of silver and Jonathan's two sons as hostages and he would release him. Once released, Jonathan would be free to go.

Simon understood exactly what was happening. He perceived that they spoke deceitfully to him. He knew that if he sent the money and the children, Tryphon would kill Jonathan anyway. But he also knew what the people would say if he did not try. They would say he had not sent the money and children, and Jonathan had died because Simon had counted the cost and refused. He sent the hundred talents. He sent the children. Jonathan was not released. Tryphon killed him near Bascama in the country beyond the Jordan and buried him there.

He Brought the Bones Home to Modi'in

Simon went to Bascama and retrieved his brother's bones and brought them to Modi'in, the city of their fathers. All Israel mourned with great lamentation. Then Simon built a monument upon it at Modi'in, a great structure of hewn stone, with seven pyramids, one for each of their parents and brothers. He set up tall columns, and upon them put suits of armor for a lasting memorial, and beside the suits of armor engraved ships, so that those sailing the sea could see them. This was the sepulchre he made in Modi'in, and it stands to this day.

Demetrius Wrote the Letter That Changed Everything

After Tryphon killed Jonathan and made himself king, Simon sent to Demetrius the king to confirm the immunities which he had granted to the Jewish people. Demetrius answered with a letter: King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest and friend of kings, and unto the elders and nation of the Jews, greeting. We have received the golden crown and the palm which you sent us. We are ready to make a firm peace with you. Write unto us concerning what you would have us to do, and we will do it. Whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand. The strongholds which you have built shall be your own. As for any oversights and offences committed unto this day, we forgive them, and the crown tax which you owe us, and whatsoever other tribute was collected in Jerusalem, shall be collected no more from this time forth.

For the children of Israel, the words of that letter were the first breath of a freedom that had been fought for since Mattathias stood in Modi'in and refused to sacrifice. The land was free of the yoke of the heathen from the year one hundred and seventy. The people began to write in their instruments and contracts: in the first year of Simon the great high priest and captain and leader of the Jews.

MourningDeathMaccabees ISimon MaccabeeJonathan MaccabeeFreedomApocrypha
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From the tradition

Sources

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The texts this telling draws on, in full. Open a card to read inline, or expand it for a wider, quieter read.

The Book of Maccabees I 13:9The Book of Maccabees I

That feeling – that’s what I want to

A time of immense struggle. Your people are oppressed, your sacred places desecrated. Hope seems lost. Then, a voice rises above the despair, a voice of defiance and determination. That’s the moment we find in the First Book of Maccabees, chapter 13.

The context? The Maccabean Revolt. It's a story etched in Jewish history, a time when the Jewish people, led by the Hasmonean family, rose up against the Seleucid Empire, who were trying to Hellenize Judea – to force Greek culture and religion upon them. Judas Maccabeus, the original leader, had fallen. Then his brother Jonathan took up the mantle, and he, too, was gone. The people were reeling, their spirits crushed.

Then comes Simon, another brother of Judas and Jonathan. And he speaks words that reignite the flame of resistance. "Doubtless I will avenge my nation, and the sanctuary, and our wives, and our children: for all the heathen are gathered to destroy us of very malice."

Simple words. But packed with raw emotion and fierce resolve. He’s not just talking about military victory; he’s talking about defending their families, their faith, their very way of life. He vows to avenge not just the land, but the heart and soul of his people.

And how do the people respond? It’s electrifying: "Now as soon as the people heard these words, their spirit revived. And they answered with a loud voice, saying, Thou shalt be our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan thy brother. Fight thou our battles, and whatsoever, thou commandest us, that will we do."

Did you catch that? Their spirit _revived_. That’s powerful. One man’s unwavering commitment becomes a beacon of hope for an entire nation. They don't just passively accept him; they actively choose him. They pledge their loyalty, their very lives, to his leadership. "Whatsoever thou commandest us, that will we do." Talk about trust!

Simon, now firmly in command, wastes no time. "So then he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about." He understands that words alone aren’t enough. He takes immediate, decisive action. He gets to work rebuilding and protecting Jerusalem, the heart of their world.

This passage, though brief, encapsulates the essence of the Maccabean spirit: unwavering faith, courageous leadership, and the unbreakable bond between a leader and his people. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, one person’s conviction can spark a revolution.

But what does it mean for us today? We might not be facing the same kind of military oppression, but we all face challenges, moments where we feel powerless. This story reminds us that even in those moments, we have the power to choose hope, to choose courage, to choose to stand up for what we believe in. And sometimes, all it takes is one voice to ignite the flame of change. What will your voice say?

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:14The Book of Maccabees I

Our story picks up with some serious political maneuvering in the wake of Jonathan's capture. Remember Jonathan? He was one of the heroic Maccabee brothers, leading the Jewish people after Judah. Now, Tryphon, a general who was scheming to take over the Seleucid Empire, has him prisoner.

We read in the First Book of Maccabees (1 Maccabees 13) that Simon, Jonathan's brother, steps up to fill that void. He camps at Adida, a strategically important location overlooking the plains. It's a clear signal: he's ready to defend Judea.

Meanwhile, Tryphon, ever the manipulator, is in Ptolemais. He sends Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and his forces to secure Joppa, a crucial port city. The First Book of Maccabees tells us that they successfully expelled the inhabitants and fortified the city. But his true plan? To invade Judea with a "great power," while holding Jonathan captive. Pretty low. Then comes the really galling part. Tryphon, realizing that Simon isn't going to just sit idly by, sends messengers to Simon. And what does he say? He claims he's holding Jonathan because Jonathan owes the king's treasury money! It's all about "business that was committed unto him," he claims.

Can you believe the nerve?

It's a classic tactic: using a false pretense to mask a much more sinister agenda. Tryphon is trying to buy time, to weaken Simon's resolve. He’s trying to make it seem like this is just a financial matter, a simple debt. He probably hopes Simon will stand down, maybe even pay the ransom, giving Tryphon the perfect opportunity to strike.

But Simon isn't fooled. He sees through the deception. And what happens next? Well, that’s a story for another time. But I’ll give you a hint: Simon proves himself to be every bit the leader and strategist his brothers were.: how often do we face situations where someone tries to manipulate us with half-truths and convenient lies? It's a timeless struggle, and the story of Simon and Tryphon reminds us to be vigilant, to question the motives of those in power, and to stand firm in the face of injustice. Just like the Maccabees did.

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:18The Book of Maccabees I

The Book of Maccabees I turns to Tryphon Demands Ransom for Jonathan's Release.

So, where are we in the story? Jonathan, Simon’s brother, had been captured by the treacherous Tryphon, a general vying for power in the Seleucid Empire. Tryphon, as crafty as his name suggests, sends a message to Simon, demanding a ransom for Jonathan’s release. A hundred talents of silver, and two of Simon's sons as hostages. A talent, by the way, was a unit of weight, and in this context, a lot of money.

Simon isn't stupid. He sees right through Tryphon's game. He knows this is likely a trap. Yet, he faces a terrible dilemma.

Why? Because of the people.

That Simon, "albeit he perceived that they spake deceitfully unto him yet sent he the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the people: Who might have said, Because I sent him not the money and the children, therefore is Jonathan dead." pressure. If Simon refuses, and Jonathan dies, the people will blame him. They'll say he valued money and his sons over his brother's life. He'd be forever branded as the man who let Jonathan die.

It’s a brutal calculation. Simon is essentially being blackmailed by public opinion as much as by Tryphon's threats. He's caught between a rock and a hard place, a classic example of the kind of impossible choices leaders often face.

So, he sends the money. He sends his sons. He makes the agonizing choice, prioritizing the perceived will of the people, even though his gut screams treachery. As the text says, "So he sent them the children and the hundred talents."

But here's the gut-wrenching part. "Howbeit Tryphon dissembled neither would he let Jonathan go."

Tryphon, true to his deceitful nature, takes the money, takes the hostages.and doesn't release Jonathan. He never intended to. Simon's worst fears are confirmed. He played along, hoping against hope, but it was all for naught.

What does this tell us? Perhaps it's a cynical lesson about the nature of power and the depths of human depravity. Or maybe it's a evidence of the impossible burdens of leadership, the constant weighing of options where every choice carries a heavy price. One thing is for sure, the story of Simon and Tryphon leaves us pondering the true cost of leadership and the devastating consequences of broken trust.

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:27The Book of Maccabees I

The Book of Maccabees I tells us a brutal tale of betrayal. Jonathan, Simon’s brother and a leader of the Maccabean revolt, was murdered by the treacherous Tryphon near Bascama. Imagine the news reaching Simon. The grief, the rage..

After this vile act, Tryphon retreated, slinking back to his own land, leaving devastation in his wake. But Simon wasn't one to let such an act go unanswered. He acted swiftly, driven by duty and love.

Simon journeyed to Bascama and there he retrieved the bones of his brother, Jonathan. Can you picture the procession as he brought Jonathan’s remains back to Modin, the city of their fathers? It must have been a somber, powerful scene.

When they arrived, all of Israel mourned. The lamentation was great, the grief profound, lasting for many days. This wasn't just the loss of a brother; it was the loss of a leader, a hero, a symbol of their struggle for freedom.

But Simon didn't just mourn. He honored Jonathan. He built a monument, a lasting tribute to his father and his brothers. It wasn't a simple marker; it was a grand sepulchre, raised high for all to see, constructed of hewn stone, both behind and before. A evidence of their legacy.

And then, he added seven pyramids, each one dedicated to his father, his mother, and his four brothers. Seven pyramids standing as silent, powerful guardians of their memory. Seven points of pride in the face of so much loss.

What does this act of remembrance tell us? It speaks to the enduring power of family, the importance of honoring those who came before us, and the need to create lasting memorials to those we love. Simon Maccabeus, in his grief and his determination, shows us how to transform loss into legacy.

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:37The Book of Maccabees I

A specific moment in that saga, found in the Book of Maccabees I, chapter 13.

The scene is set: Simon Maccabeus, leader of the Jewish people after the death of his brothers, is working to solidify their hard-won independence. He's not just a warrior; he's a statesman. And he understands that freedom isn't just about winning battles. It’s about building a sustainable future.

So, what does Simon do? He sends emissaries to King Demetrius, the Seleucid ruler. His mission? To secure an immunity – essentially, a tax exemption – for the land. Why? Because, as the text puts it, Tryphon, a rival claimant to the throne, had been devastating the countryside. He "did was to spoil," leaving the people economically vulnerable. They needed a break!

This might sound like a dry historical detail, but This is realpolitik in action. Simon is playing the game, leveraging his position to benefit his people. He's saying, "We helped you against Tryphon; now it's time for you to help us."

And here's where it gets interesting. King Demetrius responds. And his reply, as recorded in Maccabees, is "King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest, and friend of kings, as also unto the elders and nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting."

Notice anything significant? Demetrius isn't just addressing Simon. He's acknowledging him as "high priest," a title laden with religious and political authority. He also calls him "friend of kings," recognizing Simon’s diplomatic clout. And he includes "the elders and nation of the Jews" in his greeting, emphasizing that he's dealing with a whole people, not just one leader.

Demetrius continues, "The golden crown, and the scarlet robe, which ye sent unto us, we have received: and we are ready to make a stedfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to confirm the immunities which we have granted."

Essentially, he’s saying, "Thanks for the gifts! And yes, we’re on board with this peace thing. We'll even make it official and tell our people to give you those tax breaks."

So, what does all this mean? It's more than just a historical footnote about taxes. It's a glimpse into the complex political landscape of the time. It shows us how Simon Maccabeus was able to work through the treacherous waters of international relations, securing not just military victories but also economic advantages for his people.

It's a reminder that leadership requires more than just strength. It requires shrewdness, diplomacy, and a deep understanding of what your people need to thrive. And sometimes, what they need is a little bit of financial relief. It's a powerful lesson, even today.

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:41The Book of Maccabees I

The Book of Maccabees I turns to Holiness of the Soil and the Covenant.

These aren’t just dry legal terms; these are the first breaths of freedom. "Whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand," the text declares. Think about what that means. All those agreements, all those promises, they're not just words on parchment anymore. They're the bedrock of a renewed relationship, a foundation for lasting peace. And the strongholds, those symbols of occupation, they now belong to the people who built them, the people who defended them. "The strong holds, which ye have builded, shall be your own." Can you imagine the feeling of finally owning the land you worked so hard to defend?

It goes deeper than just land and agreements. There’s forgiveness, a wiping clean of the slate. "As for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it." This isn't just political maneuvering; it's a chance for genuine reconciliation. And then comes the practical relief: "the crown tax also, which ye owe us… it shall no more be paid." The crushing burden of tribute, the constant drain on resources, lifted at last. The people can rebuild, can prosper, can breathe.

It's not just about removing burdens; it's about building a future. "And look who are meet among you to be in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace betwixt us." A seat at the table. A voice in the halls of power. A chance to shape their own destiny. It’s an invitation to participate, to contribute, to be recognized.

The weight of oppression, the shadow of foreign rule, begins to lift. "Thus the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year." The yoke, that symbol of servitude, is finally broken. It’s a declaration of independence, a moment of liberation etched in the annals of history.

This passage from 1 Maccabees 13 isn't just about political maneuvering or military victory. It's about the long, hard road to reclaiming a people's soul. It's about forgiveness, reconciliation, and the enduring hope for a better future. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the fight for freedom is always worth it. And that sometimes, against all odds, the yoke can be broken.

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:53The Book of Maccabees I

They were "in great distress for want of victuals, and a great number of them perished through famine." It paints a stark picture, doesn't it?

This wasn't just a food shortage; it was a siege, a deliberate act of oppression. The people were trapped, their resources dwindling, their spirits breaking. What do you do when your back is against the wall? When survival itself seems impossible?

Well, they cried out. They turned to Simon Maccabeus, begging him to come to their aid, to make peace, to somehow deliver them from this slow, agonizing death.

Here's where the story takes a turn. Simon, a leader of unwavering courage and dedication to his people, hears their plea. He grants them what they ask, but not in the way they might expect. He doesn't just negotiate a truce. He acts.

"He had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions."

What does this mean, "cleansed the tower from pollutions?" The tower, likely the Akra, a fortified structure in Jerusalem that had become a symbol of foreign oppression, needed more than just a good scrubbing. It needed spiritual purification. It needed to be rid of the symbols and the very presence of those who had desecrated it.

And then, the moment of triumph.

"And entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs: because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel."

Imagine the scene: a procession of joyful people, their faces radiant with relief and gratitude. Palm branches waving, music filling the air. A celebration of liberation, a collective sigh of relief so profound it bursts forth in song. The enemy, the source of their suffering, is gone. A great enemy out of Israel was destroyed.

This passage is more than just a historical account. It's a evidence of the resilience of the human spirit, the power of leadership, and the enduring hope for freedom, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always the possibility of redemption, of cleansing, and of joyous celebration. It's a story that echoes through the ages, reminding us that even after famine, there can be feasting.

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The Book of Maccabees I 13:32The Book of Maccabees I

Our focus is a small but vivid passage from the Book of Maccabees I, chapter 13. Here, we're given a glimpse into Simon’s ambition and his desire to be remembered. The text describes a grand monument he constructed at Modin, the ancestral home of the Maccabees: “And in these he made cunning devices, about the which he set great pillars, and upon the pillars he made all their armour for a perpetual memory, and by the armour ships carved, that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea.”

This for a moment. It's not just a tombstone; it’s a statement. Simon built a sepulchre adorned with "cunning devices" – intricate designs and perhaps even mechanical wonders – surrounded by towering pillars. And upon these pillars, he placed the Maccabees' armor, a constant reminder of their bravery and sacrifice.

That’s not all. He also had ships carved into the monument. Why ships? These carvings were “that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea." This wasn't just for the people of Judea; it was for the entire world. He wanted the story of the Maccabees and their fight for freedom to be visible to anyone who sailed along the coast.

The Book of Maccabees emphasizes the monument's endurance, noting, "This is the sepulchre which he made at Modin, and it standeth yet unto this day." While the original structure may no longer be standing, the sentiment resonates. Simon wanted his family’s story, their struggle, their victory, to endure. It was a powerful move, transforming a burial site into a symbol of national pride and historical narrative.

But the passage doesn’t end there. It takes a darker turn.

"Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him. And he reigned in his stead, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land."

This is a stark reminder that even amidst triumphs, treachery and instability can rear their ugly heads. Tryphon’s betrayal and usurpation of the throne throws the land into chaos, emphasizing the constant vigilance required to maintain hard-won freedom.

So, what does Simon do in the face of this renewed threat? He fortifies. “Then Simon built up the strong holds in Judea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars, and laid up victuals therein.”

He understands that remembering the past is not enough. You must also prepare for the future. Simon strengthens the defenses of Judea, building up its strongholds, reinforcing its walls, and stocking up on supplies. He’s not just commemorating history; he's actively shaping it.

This brief passage from Maccabees I, chapter 13, gives us a tradition of ambition, remembrance, betrayal, and resilience. Simon's monument at Modin speaks to the human desire for legacy. Tryphon's actions remind us that freedom is never truly secure. And Simon's response shows us the importance of both remembering the past and preparing for the future.

What lasting monuments are we building, not just of stone, but of deeds and values? And how are we fortifying our own "strongholds" against the challenges that lie ahead?

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