The ancestors of Mary, mother of Jesus, were closely associated with the Maccabees, with Joseph's family embracing Jesus' teachings while Mary's family held a different belief about the Messiah. [1] The Asmonean palace of the Maccabees was seen by Jesus and Joseph during a stroll in Jerusalem. [2]
The Essenes, a religious sect, originated during the Maccabean revolt and followed strict practices that even surpassed those of the Pharisees, living in brotherhood, abstaining from marriage, and focusing on teachings about angels. [3] The Fourth Book of Maccabees exemplifies the Stoic philosophy that influenced Hellenized Jewish beliefs. [4] During the Asmonean dynasty, Jews minted silver money and established a system of banking within the temple precincts. [5] The Samaritan temple was destroyed in the time of the Maccabees. [6]