John Calvin Commentary Daniel 8:16

"And I heard a man`s voice between [the banks of] the Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision." — Daniel 8:16 (ASV)

He does not use a term that would precisely identify him as a man, but says he heard the voice of a man, because he is no longer discussing either a man or a figure, but a voice. It is sufficient to state at once that he was like a man—not actually a man, but only in image and appearance. Christ therefore appeared as a man and is called a man, since Scripture often records how angels frequently appeared in the form of men and are called, indiscriminately, either angels or men (Judges 8:3 and following).

So in this place, Daniel relates the appearance of a man, or the aspect of a man—improperly, indeed, but without any danger of mistake. For he afterwards instructs the faithful that this person was not clothed with the substance of flesh but had only a human form and aspect. I heard then a human voice in the midst of the river. We gather from this that the same person is intended here who was recently mentioned, because he commands the angel; from which this can be referred to Christ alone.

Gabriel, he says, teach him. We observe the speaker from the midst of the river here commanding Gabriel, as if superior to him. For Gabriel, as the name of an angel, is sufficiently known from other passages of Scripture (Luke 1:19, 26); and its etymology, “The strength of God,” is very suitable to this meaning.

Without any doubt, the angel here receives his commands from Christ. Thus, we see supreme power and authority represented under the form and aspect of a man, as well as obedience portrayed in Gabriel, who discharges the duty commanded of him. From this, Christ’s divinity is inferred, as he could not issue orders to angels without either having special authority or being God himself.

But when the phrase “like a man” is used, we are taught his manifest superiority to man. And what does this imply? Not angelic nature, but divine. Christ, by thus presenting himself under a human form, shows, by a kind of foreshadowing, that he would become a man when the fullness of time arrived. Then he would truly manifest himself as the head of the Church and the guardian of the salvation of the pious. For he proves himself to have power over all angels when he orders Gabriel to discharge the office of the Prophet’s instructor. We will postpone the rest.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since in these days the earth is full of defilements which pollute the sacred worship of your name, as there is scarcely a corner of the world which Satan has not corrupted, and as your truth is everywhere adulterated, that we may persevere and remain steadfast in our course of piety.

May we always be attentive to that light which you first set before us in the Law, and which shines upon us now more fully under the Gospel.

May we never be plunged into that darkness in which we see the world wrapped up, and in which those who seem to be themselves most acute are still involved.

Grant us always to follow that life which you show us, until we arrive at that goal which you have set before us, and to which you daily invite us through your only-begotten Son. — Amen.