1 Maccabees 2:23-25

New Catholic Bible

²³ As he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, in accordance with the royal decree. ²⁴ When Mattathias observed this, he became inflamed with zeal. His righteous anger aroused, he sprang forward and slaughtered him on the altar. ²⁵ At the same time he also killed the officer of the king who was present to enforce the sacrifice, and he destroyed the altar.