14 Then H116 the king, H4430 when he heard H8086 these words, H4406 was sore H7690 displeased H888 with himself, and set H7761 his heart H1079 on H5922 Daniel H1841 to deliver H7804 him: and he laboured H1934 H7712 till H5705 the going down H4606 of the sun H8122 to deliver H5338 him.
And G2532 the king G935 was G1096 exceeding sorry; G4036 yet for G1223 his oath's sake, G3727 and G2532 for their sakes which G3588 sat with him, G4873 he would G2309 not G3756 reject G114 her. G846
And afterward H310 when David H1732 heard H8085 it, he said, H559 I and my kingdom H4467 are guiltless H5355 before the LORD H3068 for H5704 ever H5769 from the blood H1818 of Abner H74 the son H1121 of Ner: H5369 Let it rest H2342 on the head H7218 of Joab, H3097 and on all his father's H1 house; H1004 and let there not fail H3772 from the house H1004 of Joab H3097 one that hath an issue, H2100 or that is a leper, H6879 or that leaneth H2388 on a staff, H6418 or that falleth H5307 on the sword, H2719 or that lacketh H2638 bread. H3899
Therefore G3767 when they G846 were gathered together, G4863 Pilate G4091 said G2036 unto them, G846 Whom G5101 will ye G2309 that I release G630 unto you? G5213 Barabbas, G912 or G2228 Jesus G2424 which G3588 is called G3004 Christ? G5547 For G1063 he knew G1492 that G3754 for G1223 envy G5355 they had delivered G3860 him. G846 When G1161 he G846 was set down G2521 on G1909 the judgment seat, G968 his G846 wife G1135 sent G649 unto G4314 him, G846 saying, G3004 G2532 Have thou G4671 nothing G3367 to do with that G1565 just man: G1342 for G1063 I have suffered G3958 many things G4183 this day G4594 in G2596 a dream G3677 because G1223 of him. G846 But G1161 the chief priests G749 and G2532 elders G4245 persuaded G3982 the multitude G3793 that G2443 they should ask G154 Barabbas, G912 and G1161 destroy G622 Jesus. G2424 The governor G2232 answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Whether G5101 of G575 the twain G1417 will ye G2309 that I release G630 unto you? G5213 G1161 They said, G2036 Barabbas. G912 Pilate G4091 saith G3004 unto them, G846 What G5101 shall I do G4160 then G3767 with Jesus G2424 which G3588 is called G3004 Christ? G5547 They all G3956 say G3004 unto him, G846 Let him be crucified. G4717 And G1161 the governor G2232 said, G5346 Why, G1063 what G5101 evil G2556 hath he done? G4160 But G1161 they cried out G2896 the more, G4057 saying, G3004 Let him be crucified. G4717 When G1161 Pilate G4091 saw G1492 that G3754 he could prevail G5623 nothing, G3762 but G235 that rather G3123 a tumult G2351 was made, G1096 he took G2983 water, G5204 and washed G633 his hands G5495 before G561 the multitude, G3793 saying, G3004 I am G1510 innocent G121 of G575 the blood G129 of this G5127 just person: G1342 see G3700 ye G5210 to it.
And G1161 Pilate, G4091 when he had called together G4779 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the rulers G758 and G2532 the people, G2992 Said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Ye have brought G4374 this G5129 man G444 unto me, G3427 as G5613 one that perverteth G654 the people: G2992 and, G2532 behold, G2400 I, G1473 having examined G350 him before G1799 you, G5216 have found G2147 no G3762 fault G158 in G1722 this G5126 man G444 touching those things G3739 whereof G2596 ye accuse G2723 him: G846 No, G235 nor yet G3761 Herod: G2264 for G1063 I sent G375 you G5209 to G4314 him; G846 and, G2532 lo, G2400 nothing G3762 worthy G514 of death G2288 is G2076 done G4238 unto him. G846 I will G3811 therefore G3767 chastise G3811 him, G846 and release G630 him. (For G1161 of necessity G318 he must G2192 release G630 one G1520 unto them G846 at G2596 the feast.) G1859 And G1161 they cried out G349 all at once, G3826 saying, G3004 Away with G142 this G5126 man, and G1161 release G630 unto us G2254 Barabbas: G912 (Who G3748 for G2258 G1223 a certain G5100 sedition G4714 made G1096 in G1722 the city, G4172 and G2532 for murder, G5408 was cast G906 into G1519 prison.) G5438 Pilate G4091 therefore, G3767 willing G2309 to release G630 Jesus, G2424 spake G4377 again G3825 to them. G4377 But G1161 they cried, G2019 saying, G3004 Crucify G4717 him, crucify G4717 him. G846
The Jews G2453 answered G611 him, G846 We G2249 have G2192 a law, G3551 and G2532 by G2596 our G2257 law G3551 he ought G3784 to die, G599 because G3754 he made G4160 himself G1438 the Son G5207 of God. G2316 When G3753 Pilate G4091 therefore G3767 heard G191 that G5126 saying, G3056 he was G5399 the more G3123 afraid; G5399 And G2532 went G1525 again G3825 into G1519 the judgment hall, G4232 and G2532 saith G3004 unto Jesus, G2424 Whence G4159 art G1488 thou? G4771 But G1161 Jesus G2424 gave G1325 him G846 no G3756 answer. G612 Then G3767 saith G3004 Pilate G4091 unto him, G846 Speakest thou G2980 not G3756 unto me? G1698 knowest thou G1492 not G3756 that G3754 I have G2192 power G1849 to crucify G4717 thee, G4571 and G2532 have G2192 power G1849 to release G630 thee? G4571 Jesus G2424 answered, G611 Thou couldest have G2192 no G3756 power G1849 at all against G3762 G2596 me, G1700 except G1508 it were G2258 given G1325 thee G4671 from above: G509 therefore G5124 G1223 he that delivered G3860 me G3165 unto thee G4671 hath G2192 the greater G3187 sin. G266 And from G1537 thenceforth G5127 Pilate G4091 sought G2212 to release G630 him: G846 but G1161 the Jews G2453 cried out, G2896 saying, G3004 If G1437 thou let G630 this man G5126 go, G630 thou art G1488 not G3756 Caesar's G2541 friend: G5384 whosoever G3956 maketh G4160 himself G846 a king G935 speaketh against G483 Caesar. G2541
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Daniel 6
Commentary on Daniel 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Da 6:1-28. Darius' Decree: Daniel's Disobedience, and Consequent Exposure to the Lions: His Deliverance by God, and Darius' Decree.
1. Darius—Grotefend has read it in the cuneiform inscriptions at Persepolis, as Darheush, that is, "Lord-King," a name applied to many of the Medo-Persian kings in common. Three of that name occur: Darius Hystaspes, 521 B.C., in whose reign the decree was carried into effect for rebuilding the temple (Ezr 4:5; Hag 1:1); Darius Codomanus, 336 B.C., whom Alexander overcame, called "the Persian" (Ne 12:22), an expression used after the rule of Macedon was set up; and Darius Cyaxares II, between Astyages and Cyrus [ÆSCHYLUS, The Persians, 762, 763].
hundred and twenty—satraps; set over the conquered provinces (including Babylon) by Cyrus [Xenophon, Cyropædia, 8.6.1]. No doubt Cyrus acted under Darius, as in the capture of Babylon; so that Daniel rightly attributes the appointment to Darius.
3. Daniel was preferred—probably because of his having so wonderfully foretold the fall of Babylon. Hence the very expression used by the queen mother on that occasion (Da 5:12) is here used, "because an excellent spirit was in him."
king thought to set him over the whole realm—Agreeing with Darius' character, weak and averse to business, which he preferred to delegate to favorites. God overruled this to the good both of Daniel, and, through him, of His people.
4. occasion … concerning the kingdom—pretext for accusation in his administration (Ec 4:4).
5. It is the highest testimony to a godly man's walk, when his most watchful enemies can find no ground of censure save in that he walks according to the law of God even where it opposes the ways of the world.
6. assembled together—literally, "assembled hastily and tumultuously." Had they come more deliberately, the king might have refused their grant; but they gave him no time for reflection, representing that their test-decree was necessary for the safety of the king.
live for ever—Arrian [Alexander, 4] records that Cyrus was the first before whom prostration was practised. It is an undesigned mark of genuineness that Daniel should mention no prostration before Nebuchadnezzar or Darius (see on Da 3:9).
7. The Persian king was regarded as representative of the chief god, Ormuzd; the seven princes near him represented the seven Amshaspands before the throne of Ormuzd; hence Mordecai (Es 3:4) refused such homage to Haman, the king's prime minister, as inconsistent with what is due to God alone. A weak despot, like Darius, much under the control of his princes, might easily be persuaded that such a decree would test the obedience of the Chaldeans just conquered, and tame their proud spirits. So absolute is the king in the East, that he is regarded not merely as the ruler, but the owner, of the people.
All … governors … counsellors, &c.—Several functionaries are here specified, not mentioned in Da 6:4, 6. They evidently exaggerated the case of the weak king, as if their request was that of all the officers in the empire.
den of lions—an underground cave or pit, covered with a stone. It is an undesigned proof of genuineness, that the "fiery furnace" is not made the means of punishment here, as in Da 3:20; for the Persians were fire-worshippers, which the Babylonians were not.
8. decree—or, "interdict."
that it be not changed—(Es 1:19; 8:8). This immutability of the king's commands was peculiar to the Medes and Persians: it was due to their regarding him infallible as the representative of Ormuzd; it was not so among the Babylonians.
Medes and Persians—The order of the names is an undesigned mark of genuineness. Cyrus the Persian reigned subordinate to Darius the Mede as to dignity, though exercising more real power. After Darius' death, the order is "the Persians and Medes" (Es 1:14, 19, &c.).
9. Such a despotic decree is quite explicable by remembering that the king, as the incarnation of Ormuzd, might demand such an act of religious obedience as a test of loyalty. Persecuting laws are always made on false pretenses. Instead of bitter complaints against men, Daniel prays to God. Though having vast business as a ruler of the empire, he finds time to pray thrice a day. Daniel's three companions (Da 3:12), are not alluded to here, nor any other Jew who conscientiously may have disregarded the edict, as the conspirators aimed at Daniel alone (Da 6:5).
10. when Daniel knew … writing … signed—and that, therefore, the power of advising the king against it was taken from him.
went into his house—withdrawing from the God-dishonoring court.
windows … open—not in vainglory, but that there might be no obstruction to his view of the direction in which Jerusalem, the earthly seat of Jehovah under the Old Testament, lay; and that the sight of heaven might draw his mind off from earthly thoughts. To Christ in the heavenly temple let us turn our eyes in prayer, from this land of our captivity (1Ki 8:44, 48; 2Ch 6:29, 34, 38; Ps 5:7).
chamber—the upper room, where prayer was generally offered by the Jews (Ac 1:13). Not on the housetop (Ac 10:9), where he would be conspicuous.
upon his knees—Humble attitudes in prayer become humble suppliants.
three times a day—(Ps 55:17). The third, sixth, and ninth hour; our nine, twelve, and three o'clock (Ac 2:15; 10:9; 3:1; 10:30; compare Da 9:21).
as … aforetime—not from contempt of the king's command.
11. assembled—as in Da 6:6, "assembled" or "ran hastily," so as to come upon Daniel suddenly and detect him in the act.
12. They preface their attack by alleging the king's edict, so as to get him again to confirm it unalterably, before they mention Daniel's name. Not to break a wicked promise, is not firmness, but guilty obstinacy (Mt 14:9; Mr 6:26).
13. That Daniel—contemptuously.
of … captivity of Judah—recently a captive among thy servants, the Babylonians—one whom humble obedience most becomes. Thus they aggravate his guilt, omitting mention of his being prime minister, which might only remind Darius of Daniel's state services.
regardeth not thee—because he regarded God (Ac 4:19; 5:29).
14. displeased with himself—for having suffered himself to be entrapped into such a hasty decree (Pr 29:20). On the one hand he was pressed by the immutability of the law, fear that the princes might conspire against him, and desire to consult for his own reputation, not to seem fickle; on the other, by regard for Daniel, and a desire to save him from the effects of his own rash decree.
till … going down of … sun—The king took this time to deliberate, thinking that after sunset Daniel would be spared till morning, and that meanwhile some way of escape would turn up. But (Da 6:15) the conspirators "assembled tumultuously" (literally) to prevent this delay in the execution, lest the king should meantime change his decree.
16. Thy God … will deliver thee—The heathen believed in the interposition of the gods at times in favor of their worshippers. Darius recognized Daniel's God as a god, but not the only true God. He had heard of the deliverance of the three youths in Da 3:26, 27 and hence augurs Daniel's deliverance. I am not my own master, and cannot deliver thee, however much I wish it. "Thy God will." Kings are the slaves of their flatterers. Men admire piety to God in others, however disregarding Him themselves.
17. stone … sealed—typical of Christ's entombment under a seal (Mt 27:66). Divinely ordered, that the deliverance might be the more striking.
his own signet, and … of his lords—The concurrence of the lords was required for making laws. In this kingly power had fallen since it was in Nebuchadnezzar's hands. The Median king is a puppet in his lords' hands; they take the security of their own seal as well as his, that he should not release Daniel. The king's seal guaranteed Daniel from being killed by them, should he escape the lions.
18. neither were instruments of music, &c.—Gesenius translates, "concubines." Daniel's mentioning to us as an extraordinary thing of Darius, that he neither approached his table nor his harem, agrees with Xenophon's picture of him as devoted to wine and women, vain, and without self-control. He is sorry for the evil which he himself had caused, yet takes no steps to remedy it. There are many such halters between good and bad, who are ill at ease in their sins, yet go forward in them, and are drawn on by others.
19. His grief overcame his fear of the nobles.
20. living God—having life Himself, and able to preserve thy life; contrasted with the lifeless idols. Darius borrowed the phrase from Daniel; God extorting from an idolater a confession of the truth.
thou servest continually—in times of persecution, as well as in times of peace.
is thy God … able—the language of doubt, yet hope.
21. Daniel might have indulged in anger at the king, but does not; his sole thought is, God's glory has been set forth in his deliverance.
22. his angel—the instrument, not the author, of his deliverance (Ps 91:11; 34:7).
shut … lions' mouths—(Heb 11:33). So spiritually, God will shut the roaring lion's mouth (1Pe 5:8) for His servants.
forasmuch as before him innocency—not absolutely (in Da 9:7, 18 he disclaims such a plea), but relatively to this case. God has attested the justice of my cause in standing up for His worship, by delivering me. Therefore, the "forasmuch" does not justify Rome's doctrine of works meriting salvation.
before thee—Obedience to God is in strictest compatibility with loyalty to the king (Mt 22:21; 1Pe 2:17). Daniel's disobedience to the king was seeming, not real, because it was not from contempt of the king, but from regard to the King of kings (compare Ac 24:16).
23. because he believed—"Faith" is stated in Heb 11:33 to have been his actuating principle: a prelude to the Gospel. His belief was not with a view to a miraculous deliverance. He shut his eyes to the event, committing the keeping of his soul to God, in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator (1Pe 4:19), sure of deliverance in a better life, if not in this.
24. (De 19:19; Pr 19:5).
accused—literally, "devoured the bones and flesh." It was just that they who had torn Daniel's character, and sought the tearing of his person, should be themselves given to be torn in pieces (Pr 11:8).
their children—Among the Persians, all the kindred were involved in the guilt of one culprit. The Mosaic law expressly forbade this (De 24:16; 2Ki 14:6).
or ever—that is, "before ever." The lions' sparing Daniel could not have been because they were full, as they showed the keenness of their hunger on the accusers.
26. Stronger than the decree (Da 3:29). That was negative; this, positive; not merely men must say "nothing amiss of," but must "fear before God."
28. It was in the third year of Cyrus that Daniel's visions (Da 10:1-12:13) were given. Daniel "prospered" because of his prophecies (Ezr 1:1, 2).