Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 11:36

"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done." — Daniel 11:36 (ASV)

The king.— He raises himself by his thoughts and deeds, not only above the heathen deities, but above the true God. Though there can be no doubt that the northern king is still spoken of, it must be remarked that the features of Antiochus are gradually fading away from the portrait. In no sense can Antiochus be called an Atheist; nor does the language of the writer of 2 Maccabees 9:12, think of himself as if he were God, correspond with the words of this verse. Antiochus’ main object was to Hellenize the Jewish religion, and to force the Greek gods upon the Jews. The character of the northern king, on the contrary, finds a parallel in St. Paul’s description of Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Marvellous things.— That is, his utterances and blasphemies against the true God will be astounding (Daniel 7:11; Daniel 7:20). This will continue until God’s indignation against His people is accomplished.