The Old Testament Apocrypha

1 Maccabees as a matter of history of the feast of the dedication aka Hanukkah. 1 Maccabees 4:52-56, Referred to as the feast of the dedication in John 10:22.

 

The Apocrypha are useful for showing the development of Jewish thought during the intertestamental period, especially in the area of Wisdom Literature.

 

Can you give an example of this?

 

Jesus and the Apostles did not see them as being inspired scriptures, and while useful for historical facts of the time, not to be used for doctrines and practices!

 

2 Esdras 1:30, " I gathered you together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do unto you? I will cast you out from my face."

Matthew 23:37, ". . . O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! . . ."

 

That there is in fact an appearent citation by Jesus as founnd in 2 Esdras 1:30. While there are similar passages in the OT, 2 Esdras 1:30 seems to be quoted. That statment is without question of the word of God. But then many non God breathed writings are known to cite words from God. The BB is a case in point. The 1611 AV gives the cross reference for Matthew 23:37 as 4. Esd. 1. 30.