| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Arrival of Heliodorus in Jerusalem (3:1-40) 3:1 While the holy city lived in perfect peace and the laws were strictly observed because of the piety of the high priest Onias and his hatred of evil,(3:1) | The high priest Onias | 13 The defeat and death of Nicanor (15:1-37) 15:12 What he saw was this: Onias, the former high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, distinguished in speech, and trained from childhood in every virtuous practice, was praying with outstretched arms for the whole Jewish community.(15:12) |
| 2 Jason introduces Greek customs (4:1-22) 4:7 But Seleucus died, and when Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes succeeded him on the throne, Onias' brother Jason obtained the high priesthood by corrupt means:(4:7) | Unjust high priest | 12 Dispatch of Nicanor (14:1-46) 14:13 with orders to put Judas to death, to disperse his followers, and to set up Alcimus as high priest of the great temple. (14:13) |
| 3 Menelaus becomes high priest (4:23-50) Menelaus became high priest | Menelaus | 11 Antiochus makes a treaty with a Jews (13:1-26) Death of Menelaus |
| 4 Pillage of the temple (5:1-27) 5:17 Puffed up in spirit, Antiochus did not realize that it was because of the sins of the city's inhabitants that the Lord was angry for a little while and hence disregarded the holy Place. (5:17) | Defeat caused by sins | 10 Combats of Judas (12:1-46) 12:40 But under the tunic of each of the dead they found amulets sacred to the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. So it was clear to all that this was why these men had been slain. (12:40) |
| 5 The suppression of Judaism (6:1-7:42) Martyrs of the law | The law | 9 Lysias makes peace with the Jews (11:1-38) Permission of the law |
| 6 Judas defeats Nicanor (8:1-36) Victory against Nicanor | Victories of Judas | 8 Judas defeats Timothy (10:9-38) Victory against Timothy |