Daniel 12:8

8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand it. So I asked, "But, sir, how will it all end?"

Daniel 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 12:8

And I heard, but understood not
Daniel heard what Christ said, in answer to the angel, but he did not understand the meaning of it, which he ingenuously confesses; he did not understand what was meant by "time", and "times", and "half a time"; what kind of time this was, and when and how it would end, and which he was very desirous of knowing: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
he applied not to the angel that put the above question, but to the man clothed with linen; to Christ, whom he perceived to be a divine Person, a Person of dominion, power, and authority, superior to angels, and his Lord and God; and who only could resolve the question he puts, which is somewhat different from that of the angel's, ( Daniel 12:6 ) , that respects the length of time, to the accomplishment of these things; this the quality at the end of them, what kind of end they should have; or what the signs, symptoms, and evidences of the end of them, by which the true end of them might be known. Mr. Mede renders it, "what are these latter times?" perhaps it might be rendered better, "what is the last of these things?" F15 what is the last thing that will be done, that so it may be known when all is over?


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (hla tyrxa hm) "quid erit novissimum horum?" Munster; "postremum horum?" Calvin.

Daniel 12:8 In-Context

6 One of them asked the angel who was standing further upstream, "How long will it be until these amazing events come to an end?"
7 The angel raised both hands toward the sky and made a solemn promise in the name of the Eternal God. I heard him say, "It will be three and a half years. When the persecution of God's people ends, all these things will have happened."
8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand it. So I asked, "But, sir, how will it all end?"
9 He answered, "You must go now, Daniel, because these words are to be kept secret and hidden until the end comes.
10 Many people will be purified. Those who are wicked will not understand but will go on being wicked; only those who are wise will understand.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.