Concerning the evils which King Demetrius is doing to them, we have written to him, saying, ‘Why have you made your yoke heavy on our friends and allies the Jews?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 31. Jews. He and his predecessors had abused their power. Yet Rupert and Peter of Blois (ep. 146.) disapprove of the Jews having recourse to the Romans: they might flee away. It is not lawful to take arms against the sovereign. God had, however, sufficiently evinced by miracles that the conduct of the Machabees was pleasing to him. 2 B. 15:12. Calmet.—The Jews were not properly subjects, though tributary to foreign kings, whose design was to exterminate them. Calmet. 3:39. Self-preservation dictated that they should call in the aid of others. Bible.—To die for religion was a great blessing. Calmet.—But God would not have his people thus entirely destroyed. The obligations of rulers and of the people are reciprocal. All nations have asserted their right to seek redress under oppression. Yet few have been treated so ill as the Jews. Few have acted with equal zeal and justice. Bible.