Case for the Deuterocanon

by Gary G. Michuta

Then why discuss the book of Second Maccabees? First, it is to establish that Hebrews 11:35 is referencing the Maccabean martyrs. Second, it is to show that Hebrews 11:35 is not a vague recollection about these ancients, but rather the author's description is taken from the text of Second Maccabees. Once these two points are established, the conclusion naturally follows: Hebrews considered the Maccabean martyrs to be biblical characters. Therefore, these martyrs must have been included in the inspired author's Bible. We then may ask the question: If the Maccabean martyrs were in the inspired author's Bible, where were they found? Since Hebrews 11:35 was dependent upon Second Maccabees, we have no reason to doubt that his Bible included Second Maccabees.