John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:37

"Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all." — Daniel 11:37 (ASV)

I do not wonder that those who interpret this prophecy as referring to Antiochus experience some difficulty with these words; for they cannot satisfy themselves, because this prediction of the angel was never fulfilled by Antiochus, who neither neglected all deities nor the god of his fathers. Then, concerning "the love of women," this also does not fit this individual.

But it is easy to prove by other reasons already mentioned that there is no allusion here to Antiochus. Some refer this prophecy to the Pope and to Mohammed, and the phrase "the love of women" seems to lend probability to this view. For Mohammed allowed men the brutal liberty of chastising their wives, and in this way he corrupted the conjugal love and fidelity that binds the husband to the wife.

Unless every man is content with a single wife, there can be no love, because there can be no conjugal happiness whenever rivalry exists between the inferior wives. Therefore, since Mohammed allowed full scope to various lusts by permitting a man to have a number of wives, this seems to explain his inattentiveness to "the love of women."

Those who think the Pope is intended here remind us of their enforcement of celibacy, by which the honor of marriage is trodden underfoot. We know with what foulness the Roman Pontiffs bark when marriage is suggested to them, as we may see in the decrees of Pope Siricius, in the seventh chapter of the first volume of the Councils. They quote the passage, Those who are in the flesh cannot please God; and thus they compare marriage with fornication, thereby disgracefully and reproachfully casting scorn upon an ordinance sanctioned by God.

We observe, then, some slight correspondence, but the remaining points do not fit this idea. Some assert that just as Mohammed invented a new form of religion, so did the Pope. This is true indeed, but neither of them is intended here.

The reason is that God wished to sustain the spirits of his people until the first coming of Christ. Hence, he predicts by his angel the sufferings to be endured by the Church until Christ was manifest in the flesh. We must now turn to the Romans, of whom we began to explain this passage.

The angel says, The king shall pay no regard to the gods of his fathers. The application of this clause is at first sight obscure; but if we reflect upon the outrageous pride and barbarity of the Romans, we shall no longer doubt the meaning of the Prophet's words.

The angel states two circumstances: this king would be a despiser of all deities, and yet he would worship one god, while the singular and magnificent pomp displayed would exceed all common practices. These two points, so apparently opposite, were found united in the Romans. Our explanation will become clearer by adding the following verses.