Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Daniel 6:16

Eastern Fathers

Ignatius of Antioch

From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, not that I am devoured by brute beasts, for these, as ye know, by the will of God, spared Daniel, but by beasts in the shape of men, in whom the merciless wild beast himself lies hid, and pricks and wounds me day by day. But none of these hardships "move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself," in such a way as to love it better than the Lord. …

Epistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to the Tarsians ↗

Clement of Rome

For what shall we say? Was Daniel cast into the den of lions by those who feared God? Were Ananias and Azarias and Mishael shut up in a furnace of fire by those who observed the great and glorious worship of the Most High? Far from us be such a thought! Who, then, were they that did such things? …

1 Clement 45 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Verse 16. "Then the king gave order, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the pit of lions. And the king said to Daniel: 'Thy God whom thou dost ever serve will Himself deliver thee.'" He gives way to the crowd and dares not to withhold from his plotting adversaries the death of his friend, and he commits to the power of God the purpose which he himself was unable to attain. …

St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER SIX ↗

Hippolytus of Rome

Then accordingly, Darius, not being able to further contradict the satraps, said for Daniel to be brought and they cast him into the den of lions. And the king, answering said to him, "Your God whom you serve perpetually, he himself will rescue you" urging him to be of good cheer. "For since, even though I wish to help, I am not able even though I am king, but God whom you serve will rescue you," [Daniel 6:16] in order to show that what is impossible for men is possible with God. [Luke 18:27]

Commentary on Daniel 3.27.1-2 ↗