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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 11:21-45

All this is a prophecy of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the little horn spoken of before (Dan. 8:9) a sworn enemy to the Jewish religion, and a bitter persecutor of those that adhered to it. What troubles the Jews m 8000 et with in the reigns of the Persian kings were not so particularly foretold to Daniel as these, because then they had living prophets with them, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage them; but these troubles in the days of Antiochus were foretold, because, before that time,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 11:35

And some of them of understanding shall fall ,.... Not into sin, or from the religion they profess; and the doctrines they have an understanding of, and have instructed others in; but into distresses and calamities for their steadfast adherence to the word, worship, and ordinances of God: to try them, and purge and make them white ; to try their faith, patience, and other graces, and whether they would hold fast their profession, and persevere in the good ways of God; and to purge and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 11:35

And some of them of understanding - Disputes on certain points of religion soon agitated the Christian Church; and now, having no outward persecution, they began to persecute each other. And many excellent men, men of understanding, fell victims because they would not embrace erroneous doctrines, when professed by the state. But this was permitted: - To try them, and to purge, and to make them white - To bring all to the pure profession, possession, and practice of Christianity. To... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 11:35

Verse 35 The angel pursues the same sentiment as before shewing us how the children of God, in their eagerness to defend the cause of piety, should be subject to many grievous persecutions. Some of the learned shall fall; meaning, that calamity shall not be for a single moment only; for those who earnestly desired to defend the true worship of God should perish by the sword, and by fire, and by other methods of destruction, and their successors, too, should suffer the same calamities. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 11:1-45

EXPOSITION THE KINGS OF THE NORTH AND THE KINGS OF THE SOUTH . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 11:21-45

The specious success of a bad monarch. There is mystery in the fact that, under the administration of a righteous God, bad men should be elevated to highest rank. Yet, evil though it is, it would probably be a greater evil to employ mere force to prevent it. It is evident that God rules among men by moral agencies. This is one circumstance among the "all things" that "work together for the good" of God's elect. I. BAD MEN ARE PERMITTED BY GOD TO CLIMB INTO IMPERIAL ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 11:35

And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for a time appointed. The rendering of the LXX . is, "And some of those of understanding shall consider to purify themselves beth to be chosen and to be purified to the time of the end, for the season is for hours." The translator must have read יִשְׂכְלוּ , instead of יִכָּשְׁלוּ . The reading of the Massoretes is to be preferred.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 11:35

Purged by trial. I. THE CHURCH NEEDS PURIFICATION . The people "of understanding" are to be purged and made white. These are clearly the people who are "wise unto salvation"—the true Church. 1 . The ends of the gospel are not attained until the Church is completely purified. The first aim is to gather men into the Church by penitence and faith. The second is to perfect them when they are in the Church. The forgiving grace of God does not dispense with the necessity of holiness.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 11:35

And some of them understanding shall fall - Some of those who have a correct understanding of religion, and who have joined the army from pure motives. The idea seems to be that on some occasion they would meet with a temporary defeat, in order that the sincerity of the others might be tested, or that it might be seen who adhered to the cause from principle, and who from selfish purposes. If they should not always be successful; if they should be temporarily defeated; if some of the most... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 11:35

Daniel 11:35. Some of them of understanding shall fall Some of the principal men for piety and knowledge shall fall under this persecution, and suffer grievous miseries and torments: see Daniel 11:33. To try them, and to purge, &c. For the trial of their faith and patience, and to purge them from those corruptions which are the usual effects of prosperity: compare 1 Peter 1:7: and to make it the more evident how sincere they were in their profession, and that no temptations or... read more

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