As indicated in the introduction on this section, we cannot be certain whether this verse follows the narrative in verse 32 or the one in verse 29, but we are placing it with verses 30-32.

While they were celebrating the victory in the city of their fathers: The Greek phrase rendered in the city of their fathers is literally “in the fatherland,” so Goldstein has “on their own soil.” However, since the Temple gates are probably in view in the next clause, this phrase most likely refers to Jerusalem. Good News Bible has a good model for this whole clause.

The rest of this verse has many textual problems, all of which will not be discussed here. Revised Standard Version is quite right to indicate in a footnote that the Greek is uncertain.

They burned those who had set fire to the sacred gates: Burned may be translated “burned alive.” The sacred gates are presumably the gates of the Temple (compare 1Macc 4.38; 2Macc 1.8).

Callisthenes and some others, who had fled into one little house: And some others does not appear in one Greek manuscript, which has Callisthenes alone hiding in a small house. Good News Bible seems to understand that only Callisthenes is in view here. Contemporary English Version says “Callisthenes and some other enemies,” which we prefer.

So these received the proper recompense for their impiety: The punishment for burning the sacred gateway was appropriate. This clause may be rendered “and so he received the proper punishment for his evil deeds” (similarly Good News Bible).

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.