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 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.

To try them: we see hereby that the best of men have some dross, which makes afflictions, yea, fiery trials, necessary for them, for the word signifies all kind of examination and trials, either as founders try metals to purge them, or as corn is winnowed to cleanse it from chaff, or as fullers that wash and scour to take out spots, . Even to the time of the end: now mark here the Spirit of God seems to slide into the Roman monarchy, for this began in the reign of Antiochus, so that he did begin that which the Romans afterward in process of time acted more highly against the Jews and Christians too. For Antiochus is made by all a type of antichrist; as Maldonate confesseth. And thus you find the prophets, and our Saviour too. David brings in Christ; , when the rest is spoken of Solomon. So Psalms 16 Isaiah 49 Isaiah 44 Isaiah 60. So our Saviour, speaking of the temple, speaks with it of the end of the word. And thus the end of this chapter is clearly of antichrist, and this prophecy of Daniel cads with the world’ s end. Therefore Antiochus is a type of antichrist, in his pride, covetousness, craft, and cruelty against the people of God, and blasphemies and idolatries to the reproach of Christ. Therefore it is here added, because it is yet for a time appointed.

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.Ver. 35. And some of them of understanding shall fall.] Depth of divine knowledge, and height of holiness, is no target against persecution; the best fall under it soonest. None out of hell have ever suffered more than saints. To try them.] As hard weather tries what health: hang heavy weights on rotten boughs, and they suddenly break. Withered leaves fall off in a strong wind; not so the green, that have sap. And to purge, and to make them white.] As foul and stained clothes are whitened by lying abroad in cold frosty nights. Black soap maketh white clothes; so, said that martyr, doth the black cross help us to more whiteness, if God strike with his battledores. You know the vessel, before it be made bright, said John Charles the martyr, in a letter to Mr Philpot, another martyr, is soiled with oil and other things, that it may scour the better. Oh happy be you, that you be now in this scouring house, for shortly you shall be set upon the celestial shelf as bright as angels, &c. Refiners of sugar, saith another author, taking sugar out of the same chest, some thereof they melt but once, other again and again; not that it hath more dross in it, but because they would have it more refined: so dealeth the Lord with his best children, &c. Acts and Mon. A beetle or wooden ‘ bat’ used in washing, also (when made cylindrical) for smoothing out or ‘ mangling’ linen clothes; hence also applied to similarly shaped instruments, e.g. the paddle of a canoe, a utensil for inserting loaves into an oven, or glassware into the kiln, etc. ŒD Acts and Mon., 1743. Dr Goodwin.

(35) Some of them.—The reason of this persecution is revealed. Whilst in Daniel 11:33 it appears that the sufferings of “those that understand” would instruct others, it appears that they would themselves profit by their sufferings. These gradations are mentioned (1) “to try “—i.e., to refine, as a precious metal is refined by fire; (2) “to purge “—i.e., to separate the bad from the good; (3) “to make white”—i.e., to cause them to become completely purified. (Comp. Psalms 51:7; Isaiah 1:18). In this way the dissemblers are made known. The patient example of the sufferers is followed by others who are faithful, while the “flatterers” become open apostates.

Verse 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 the time of the end] To the time that God shall cause pure and undefiled religion every where to prevail. But when is the time appointed for this?

35. And some of them that be wise (Daniel 11:33) shall fall, to refine among them (among the people at large), and to cleanse, and to make white] The martyrdom of some of the godly leaders in the struggle would have the effect of testing the faith of the people at large, and of confirming and perfecting the character of those who were loyal. Cf. Daniel 12:10. to refine] the word means properly to smelt gold or silver ore (or alloy), so as to free the noble metal from impurities; it is then often used figuratively, sometimes of testing, sometimes of purifying, by severe discipline: cf. Isaiah 1:25, ‘and smelt away as with lye thy dross’; Jeremiah 6:29, ‘in vain the smelter smelteth, for the evil are not separated’; Daniel 9:6 ‘Behold, I will smelt them, and try them’; Zechariah 13:9. 1. Silver Tetradrachm. Head of Antiochus, with diadem (in other coins of this type a star is seen distinctly on the forehead: Babelon, Les Rois de Syrie, xii. 3, 4). Reverse: Apollo, seated on omphalos, holding arrow and bow. Inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΕΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (‘Of King Antiochus’). 2. Silver Drachm. Head of Antiochus, radiate. Reverse: Eagle, with closed wings, standing on thunderbolt. Inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥΘΕΟΥΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ (‘Of King Anthichus, God Manifest’). 3. Silver Tetradrachm. Head of Anthiochus, as Zeus, with laurels. Reverse: Zeus, wearing himation over shoulder, seated on throne: holds Nike (Victory), who crowns Inscription; and rests on sceptre. Inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥΘΕΟΥΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ (‘Of King Antiochus, God Manifest, Victory-bearer’). 4. Copper Pentechalcon. Head of Zeus-Serapis, wearing laurel-wreath, ending above in cap of Osiris. Reverse: Eagle, with closed wings, standing on thunderbolt. Inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥΘΕΟΥΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ (‘Of King Antiochus, God Manifest’). This coin was struck in Egypt, and illustrates Antiochus’ conquest of that country (cf. Babelon, p. c). (From casts taken from coins in the British Museum. The descriptions from Gardner’s Coins of the Seleucid Kings of Syria, xi. 2, xii. 13, xi. 9, xii. 11.) until the time of the end] the fall of the maskξlξm will continue till the final end of the present order of things (Daniel 8:17), which the author pictures as coinciding with the close of Antiochus’ reign (Daniel 11:40). for (it is) yet for the time appointed] the end has not come yet; it has still to wait for the moment fixed in the counsels of God: cf. Daniel 11:27 end.

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.

35. R.V., “And some of them that be wise shall fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for the time appointed.” Suffering and