Daniel 11:33-35

DANIEL—NOTE ON Daniel 11:33 the wise among the people shall make many understand. This likely refers to those who truly fear God and who will encourage others to fight and even die rather than offer unclean sacrifices to God. In this time of persecution, the nation will receive a little help, which probably refers to the small forces that initially rebelled against the Syrians in Modein, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Jerusalem. They were led by Mattathias, a priest, and later by his third son Judas Maccabeus. The rest of v. Daniel 11:34 probably has in view the many who would join themselves to the Maccabean rebellion out of necessity to save their lives, though it may more specifically refer to those who joined with the Maccabeans and killed those who were sympathetic to the Seleucids. Some of the wise shall stumble likely describes true believers who will die in this persecution. Through this persecution they will be refined, purified, and made white.