John Calvin Commentary Daniel 3:27

"And the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king`s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their hosen changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them." — Daniel 3:27 (ASV)

Daniel relates how the satraps were gathered together with the leaders, prefects, and councilors of the king. The gathering was merely a large group, and if they deliberated about anything of importance, they all agreed. And this confirms the miracle, for if they had been stupefied, how could the great power of God have been made evident to the blind?

Although they were so astonished, they were not entirely foolish. Daniel implies this by saying, they were assembled together. After they had discussed the matter, he says, they came to witness that example of God's incredible power. Then he enumerates many reasons which clearly show that these three men were preserved by no other means than God’s singular goodwill.

He says:

1. The fire had no power over their bodies.
2. A hair of their head was not burnt.
3. Their garments were unchanged.
4. The smell of fire had not penetrated them or their garments.

He expresses more by the word smell than if he had simply said that the fire had not penetrated.

For fire must naturally consume and burn up whatever is submitted to it; but when not even the smell of fire has passed over any substance, the miracle is more evident. Now, we understand the Prophet’s intention.

On the whole, he shows how the benefit of their deliverance was no small one, since Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego came out of the furnace. Furthermore, these satraps, prefects, and governors were witnesses of the power of God.

Their testimony would be all the more valuable because all the Jews were spectators of this grace of God—a grace which even they scarcely believed.

But since these men were clearly and professedly enemies of true piety, they would willingly have concealed the miracle if it had been in their power.

But God draws them against their wills, compelling them to be eyewitnesses, and they are thus obliged to confess what cannot be in the slightest degree doubtful.

It follows—