History Daily: "Judas Maccabeus Recaptures Jerusalem"

Host: Lindsey Graham
Date: November 21, 2025
Theme: The Maccabean Revolt, the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the origins of Hanukkah

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to Judea in 164 BCE, chronicling the dramatic events of the Maccabean Revolt. Lindsey Graham narrates how Judas Maccabeus led a Jewish uprising against the Seleucid Empire, culminating in the recapture and rededication of Jerusalem’s Temple—a moment still celebrated as Hanukkah. The episode explores religious oppression, popular resistance, legendary miracles, and the roots of Jewish autonomy and identity.

Key Historical Context and Discussion Points

Desecration and Oppression Under the Seleucids

• Opening Scene:
  • In early December 164 BCE, Jewish priests clear the Jerusalem Temple of “a large statue of Zeus,” forcibly installed by Seleucid rulers attempting to eradicate Judaism in favor of Greek traditions.
  • Quote: “The priest says a small prayer of thanks that this statue that’s been defiling the temple is finally coming down.” (00:55)
• Religious Persecution:
  • Emperor Antiochus IV Epiphanes bans major Jewish practices (circumcision, Sabbath observance) and desecrates the Temple with Greek idols and prohibited sacrifices.
  • Quote: “He even defiled the Temple of Jerusalem by building a new altar and dedicating it to Zeus.” (05:14)

The Spark of Rebellion: Mattathias’s Stand

• Modin Incident (167 BCE):
  • Mattathias, a respected priest, is confronted by Seleucid emissaries demanding he sacrifice a pig to Greek gods—an act forbidden by Judaism.
  • In a dramatic escalation, Mattathias kills both a Hellenized Jew (sympathetic to Seleucids) and the Seleucid official.
  • Quote: “Mattathias does not repent. He tells the crowd that he killed the two men to protect the laws of his God, not the laws of a distant emperor.” (09:23)
• Start of the Maccabean Revolt:
  • Mattathias, his five sons, and their supporters flee, taking to guerrilla warfare. They gain the moniker “Maccabees”—“the hammers”—for their fierce resistance.

Leadership of Judas Maccabeus

• Mattathias dies within a year, passing leadership to his son Judas Maccabeus. Judas organizes a guerrilla campaign against Seleucid forces and Hellenized Jews, systematically undermining imperial control.

Tactics and First Major Victory: The Battle of Emmaus

• Prelude to Battle (165 BCE):
  • Seleucid General Gorgias plans a night attack to surprise the Maccabees but is deceived—Judas sets decoy campfires and leads his forces to attack the Seleucid base at Emmaus instead.
  • Quote: “Judas ordered the Maccabees to abandon camp but leave the fires burning. Then they took the back roads to the Seleucid camp at Emmaus.” (13:46)
• Turning Point:
  • The Maccabees win decisively, marking their first successful field engagement and fueling momentum for further uprisings.

Liberation of Jerusalem and the First Hanukkah

• Recapture of the City (November 21, 164 BCE):
  • Judas Maccabeus enters Jerusalem. The Seleucids have retreated following both military defeat and the death of Antiochus IV.
  • Cheering crowds greet Judas; Hellenized Jews, however, remain wary.
• Temple Rededication:
  • Judas oversees the removal of idols and the cleansing of the Temple. A ceremony is arranged to sanctify it to the “one true God.”
  • Quote: “Judas turns to his followers and tells them that the Temple will be cleansed at the Seleucids and their false idols.” (20:16)

The Miracle of Hanukkah

• The Oil Legend:
  • The priests find only one untouched vessel of oil, enough for a single day, but the menorah burns for eight—considered a miracle.
  • Hanukkah becomes a symbol not just of the miracle, but of Jewish yearning for freedom.
  • Quote: “According to legend, this vessel contained only enough oil to keep the menorah burning for 24 hours. But miraculously, there was enough oil to keep it alight for eight days.” (02:25)

Legacy and Aftermath

• Short-Lived Victory:
  • Although the Maccabees control Judea and Jerusalem, they are eventually overrun, and Judas is killed in 160 BCE.
  • Yet, their revolt secures lasting autonomy for the Jews of Judea within the Seleucid Empire—a foundational moment for Jewish pride and nationalism.
  • Quote: “The revolt lived on as a model of Jewish pride and nationalism and no moment was more inspiring to future generations than when Judas Maccabeus recaptured Jerusalem.” (21:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The priest says a small prayer of thanks that this statue that’s been defiling the temple is finally coming down.” — Narration (00:55)
• “Mattathias does not repent. He tells the crowd that he killed the two men to protect the laws of his God, not the laws of a distant emperor.” — Narration (09:23)
• “Judas ordered the Maccabees to abandon camp but leave the fires burning. Then they took the back roads to the Seleucid camp at Emmaus.” — Narration (13:46)
• “According to legend, this vessel contained only enough oil to keep the menorah burning for 24 hours. But miraculously, there was enough oil to keep it alight for eight days.” — Narration (02:25)
• “The revolt lived on as a model of Jewish pride and nationalism and no moment was more inspiring to future generations than when Judas Maccabeus recaptured Jerusalem.” — Narration (21:36)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00 – Setting the scene: desecration of the Temple, legend of the oil, and Hanukkah’s origins
• 04:42 – Introduction to the episode’s theme and historical background
• 05:14 – Description of Antiochus IV’s religious persecution
• 07:20 – Mattathias’s confrontation and the beginnings of the revolt
• 13:46 – The Emmaus battle and tactical brilliance of Judas Maccabeus
• 18:45 – The liberation of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Temple
• 19:35 – The legislative and spiritual significance of Hanukkah
• 21:36 – The revolt’s legacy and influence on Jewish identity

Tone and Storytelling Approach

Lindsey Graham’s narration is vivid, urgent, and evocative, using cinematic scenes to place listeners “in the moment.” There’s a focus on both the personal and collective stakes of religious oppression and resistance, blending dramatic storytelling with concise historical analysis.

Summary

This episode offers a rousing account of the Maccabean revolt and the first Hanukkah, illustrating the enduring quest for religious freedom and national autonomy. By combining vivid narrative, pivotal historical detail, and insightful commentary, the podcast encapsulates why these events have reverberated through millennia—making November 21, 164 BCE, a day still celebrated and remembered worldwide.