Daniel 3:13-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:8-18

It was strange that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, would be present at this assembly, when, it is likely, they knew for what intent it was called together. Daniel, we may suppose, was absent, either his business calling him away or having leave from the king to withdraw, unless we suppose that he stood so high in the king's favour that none durst complain of him for his noncompliance. But why did not his companions keep out of the way? Surely because they would obey the king's orders as far... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:19-27

In these verses we have, I. The casting of these three faithful servants of God into the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar had himself known and owned so much of the true God that, one would have thought, though his pride and vanity induced him to make this golden image, and set it up to be worshipped, yet what these young men now said (whom he had formerly found to be wiser than all his wise men) would revive his convictions, and at least engage him to excuse them; but it proved quite otherwise.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:13

Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury ,.... Which did not became him as a man, much less as a king, and still less as engaged in devotion and religion; commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ; that is, immediately before him; who very probably were not afar off: he did not order them in his wrath and fury to be slain directly, as he did the wise men and soothsayers in another case; but to be brought before him, and examined first, that he might know the truth of these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, is it true ,.... What I have heard of you, what you are charged with and accused of; surely it cannot be; so Aben Ezra and Saadiah interpret the word as we do, and all the Oriental versions: it is only used in this place: it is expressed by way of admiration, as Jacchiades observes; it being incredible to the king, what he could never believe, unless it appeared plain in his own eyes. Some F15 הצדא "nunquid desolatio?" Montanus. So Jacchiades,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye shall hear ,.... The meaning is, that if they were disposed in mind, which the king was very desirous they should, both for his own honour, and for their safety, for whom he had a regard; and were willing to comply with his orders, and readily yield obedience to his will, and worship his idol; the following would be a signal to them, and all would be well with them: or it may be rendered, "when now ye shall be, that at what time ye shall hear" F17 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:16

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king ,.... In a mild and gentle manner, without affronting his majesty, or insulting his gods, and yet without the least degree of servile fear or fawning flattery: O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter ; about worshipping the image; we are not solicitous about a choice of words, or in what manner to draw up our answer, it is ready in our mouths; we have no need to take time and consider of this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:17

If it be so ,.... That we must be cast into the fiery furnace, as thou hast threatened: our God whom we serve ; for though they did not serve the gods of the Babylonians, they did not live without God in the world; they believed in the one true God, the God of Israel, their covenant God and Father; whom they worshipped, had an interest in, and who had and would have a regard for them: he, say they, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace ; either to prevent their being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:18

But if not ,.... If our God does not think fit to exert his power, and deliver us, which we are well assured he is able to do; if it is not his will, we are content, we are resigned unto it: be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods , be it as it will, whether we are delivered or not; we are not sure of the one, but we are at a point as to the other: nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up ; come life, come death, we are ready; we had rather die than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:19

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ,.... Nettled at the answer given him; perceiving his threats made no impression on these three men, and that they were resolutely determined at all events not to obey his will: and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ; not only to what it was in times past, when they were his favourites, and he smiled upon them; but with respect to what it was while they were under examination, and he was trying to bring them to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:20

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army ,.... The most famous for courage of mind, and strength of body, that were in all his army: to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego either their hands or their feet, or both; unless it can be thought that they were all three bound together in one bundle, and so cast into the furnace; which is not improbable, as Gejerus observes; seeing the king afterwards wondered to see them walk separately in the furnace: there was no need to... read more

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