Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals a constant, unseen spiritual conflict behind world events, where angelic beings engage in battles that directly impact nations and God's people. The angel's mission to Daniel is delayed not by divine neglect, but by ongoing spiritual warfare that requires his continued intervention against oppressive forces, even as new adversaries rise.
Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angelic messenger, having just reassured Daniel after his overwhelming vision, asks if Daniel understands why he was sent. He then explains that he must return to engage in spiritual warfare with the opposing angelic power of Persia, and foretells that a new "prince of Greece" will soon rise, signaling a shift in world empires and continued challenges for God's people.
Ever feel like world events are more than just human decisions? This verse pulls back the curtain on a cosmic conflict.
The angel reveals that his delay in reaching Daniel wasn't due to God's inaction, but a spiritual battle. He had to fight against the 'prince of Persia,' a powerful spiritual entity influencing that empire.
This isn't just ancient history; it points to a reality where angelic beings are involved in the rise and fall of nations. The angel's mission was to counter the forces working against God's people through Persian leadership. When that conflict is resolved, a new challenge emerges with the 'prince of Greece.'
Empires rise and fall, but God's people remain. How does the divine plan unfold through these colossal shifts?
Daniel is being prepared for a major geopolitical shift: the fall of the Persian Empire and the rise of Greece under Alexander the Great. The angel's task is to navigate these changes, ensuring God's purposes for His people are not thwarted.
Even as one 'prince' is dealt with, another emerges. This illustrates God's sovereign control over history. He uses nations and their leaders – even pagan ones – to accomplish His will, whether directly or indirectly. The angel's ongoing battles are about securing the best outcome for Israel's restoration and future.
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śar · Hebrew Noun
A powerful demonic or angelic entity exercising influence over a specific geopolitical territory. This term reveals the existence of a spiritual realm that battles behind the scenes of human history.
The angel's message about future conflicts between spiritual 'princes' of Persia and Greece directly foreshadows the geopolitical shifts Daniel's people would experience under the successive empires of Persia and the rising power of Macedon (Greece).
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, expands by conquering the Neo-Babylonian Empire, setting the stage for the Babylonian exile's end and Jewish return.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus for Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, initiating the Second Temple period.
c. 520-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Despite opposition and delays, the Second Temple is completed under Darius I, marking a significant milestone for the returning Jewish community.
c. 486-465 BC
Reign of Xerxes I
Xerxes' reign sees continued Persian rule, a period during which the events of the Book of Esther likely took place, highlighting ongoing political intrigue affecting Jews.
c. 465-424 BC
Reign of Artaxerxes I
This reign is crucial, as the prophet Nehemiah receives permission to return and rebuild Jerusalem's walls, facing significant opposition.
334-323 BC— this verse
Conquests of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great's campaigns rapidly dismantle the Persian Empire, ushering in the Hellenistic period and significantly altering the geopolitical landscape for the Jews.
This verse directly precedes Daniel 10:20 and explains that the angel was delayed 'because of the prince of Persia,' setting up the context for the ongoing spiritual warfare mentioned.
Daniel 11:1-4These verses immediately follow and describe the rise of the 'prince of Greece' (Alexander the Great) and the subsequent division of his kingdom, directly fulfilling the prophecy given in Daniel 10:20.
Isaiah 44:28This Old Testament passage speaks of Cyrus, the Persian king, as God's shepherd who would fulfill His purposes, showing God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and empires, even those hostile to His people.
Zechariah 3:1-2This passage describes Joshua the high priest being opposed by Satan, with the Lord rebuking Satan and interceding for Joshua, paralleling the spiritual conflict the angel faces against the 'prince of Persia' to protect God's people.
Ephesians 6:12This New Testament verse broadly speaks of wrestling 'against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,' which aligns with the concept of angelic beings (good and evil) influencing and warring over nations, as depicted in Daniel 10.
ellicottDaniel 10:20: "Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come."
(20) Then said he. —The meaning of this verse is obscure. Apparently the person who is speaking refers back to what he had said ( Daniel 10:12-14 ); and from the question “ Knowest thou?” &c., we are to infer that Daniel was perfectly aware of the reasons which caused him to come, viz., “to make thee under…
barnesDaniel 10:20: "Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come."
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? - This was known by what the angel had said in Daniel 10:14 . He seems to have called his attention to it, and to have proposed the question, because Daniel had been so overcome by his fright that it might be doubtful whether he had understood him dist…
This verse reveals a constant, unseen spiritual conflict behind world events, where angelic beings engage in battles that directly impact nations and God's people. The angel's mission to Daniel is delayed not by divine neglect, but by ongoing spiritual warfare that requires his continued intervention against oppressive forces, even as new adversaries rise.
The angelic messenger, having just reassured Daniel after his overwhelming vision, asks if Daniel understands why he was sent. He then explains that he must return to engage in spiritual warfare with the opposing angelic power of Persia, and foretells that a new "prince of Greece" will soon rise, signaling a shift in world empires and continued challenges for God's people.
The angelic messenger, having just reassured Daniel after his overwhelming vision, asks if Daniel understands why he was sent. He then explains that he must return to engage in spiritual warfare with the opposing angelic power of Persia, and foretells that a new "prince of Greece" will soon rise, signaling a shift in world empires and continued challenges for God's people.
"Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come." — This verse reveals a constant, unseen spiritual conflict behind world events, where angelic beings engage in battles that directly impact nations and God's people. The angel's mission to Daniel is de…
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Last reviewed October 2026