Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 12:1

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." — Daniel 12:1 (ASV)

And at that time - At the period referred to in the preceding chapter. The fair construction of the passage demands this interpretation. If that refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, then what is said here must also refer to him. We are to look for the direct and immediate fulfillment of this prediction in something that occurred under him, however it may be supposed to have an ultimate reference to other and more remote events. The phrase “at that time,” however, does not limit what is said here to any one part of his life, or to his death, but to the general period referred to during his reign. That reign was only eleven years, and the fulfillment must be found somewhere during that period.

Shall Michael - On the meaning of this word, and the being referred to here, see the notes at Daniel 10:13.

Stand up - That is, he will interpose; he will come forth to render aid. This does not necessarily mean that he would visibly appear, but that he would in fact interpose. In the time of great distress and trouble, supernatural or angelic aid would be rendered to the people of God. No one can prove that this would not be so, nor is there any inherent improbability in the supposition that good angels may be employed to render assistance in times of trouble. Compare the notes at Daniel 10:13.

The great prince which standeth for the children of thy people - See the notes as above at Daniel 10:13. The meaning is that he had the affairs of the Hebrew people, or the people of God, especially under his protection, or he was appointed to watch over them. This doctrine is in accordance with the notions that prevailed at that time, and no one can demonstrate that it is not true. There is no authority for applying this to the Messiah, as many have done, because the term Michael is not elsewhere given to him, and all that the language fairly conveys is met by the other supposition. The simple meaning is that he who was the guardian angel of that nation, or who was appointed to watch over its interests, would at that time of great trouble interpose and render aid.

And there shall be a time of trouble - Under Antiochus Epiphanes. See the notes at Daniel 11:21-45. Compare the books of the Maccabees throughout.

Such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time - This might be construed with reference to the Jewish nation, meaning that the trouble would be greater than any that had occurred during its history. But it may also be taken, as our translators understand it, in a more general sense, as referring to any or all nations. In either sense, it can hardly be considered the language of hyperbole.

The troubles that came upon the land under the persecutions of Antiochus probably surpassed any that the Hebrew nation ever experienced. Nor could it be shown that, for the same period of time, they were surpassed among any other people. The Savior has employed this language as adapted to express the intensity of the trials that would be brought upon the Jews by the Romans (Matthew 24:21), but He does not say that, as used in Daniel, it had reference originally to that event.

It was language appropriate to express the thought that He wished to convey, and He, therefore, so employed it.

And at that time - When these troubles are at their height.

Thy people shall be delivered - Namely, by the valor and virtues of the Maccabees. See the accounts in the books of the Maccabees. Compare Prideaux, Con. iii. 257 and following.

Every one that shall be found written in the book - Whose names are enrolled; that is, enrolled as among the living. The idea is that a register was made of the names of those who were to be spared—namely, by God, or by the angel—and that all whose names were so recorded would be preserved. Those not so enrolled would be cut off under the persecutions of Antiochus.

The language here does not refer to the book of eternal life or salvation, nor is it implied that those who would thus be preserved would necessarily be saved. Instead, it refers to their preservation from death and persecution, as if their names were recorded in a book or enrolled. We frequently meet with similar ideas in the Scriptures. The idea is, of course, poetical, but it expresses with sufficient clearness the thought that there was a Divine purpose concerning them. It suggests that there was a definite number whom God designed to keep alive, and that these would be delivered from those troubles, while many others would be cut off. Compare the notes at Daniel 10:21.