Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 3:8

"Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews." — Daniel 3:8 (ASV)

Therefore, at that time certain Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews - It does not appear that they accused the Jews in general, but particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:12). They were present on the occasion, being summoned with the other officers of the realm (Daniel 3:2), but they could not unite in the idolatrous worship.

It has often been said that the whole affair was arranged, either by the king of his own accord or by the instigation of their enemies, in order to involve the Jews in difficulty, knowing that they could not conscientiously comply with the command to worship the image.

But nothing of this kind appears in the narrative itself. It does not appear that the Jews were unpopular, or that there was any less inclination to show favor to them than to any other foreigners. They had indeed been raised to high offices, but there is no evidence that any office was conferred on them that was not also considered proper for foreigners; nor is there any evidence that in discharging the duties of their office, they had given reason for a just accusation.

The plain account is that the king set up the image for other purposes and with no malicious design against them; that when summoned to be present with the other officers of the realm at the dedication of the image, they obeyed the command; but that when the order was issued that they should render “religious homage” to the idol, every principle of their religion revolted at it, and they refused. For the probable reasons why Daniel was not included among them, see the note at (Daniel 3:12).