---
title: Daniel 3:18
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/daniel-3-18/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/daniel-3-18.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Daniel 3:18
testament: OT
section: Prophets
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Daniel 3:18

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up."

## JW Usage

Much loved in Watchtower teaching for its unconditional loyalty — faithfulness that does not depend on being rescued. It is applied to Witnesses facing persecution, and to the expectation that a Witness will hold the organisation's positions whatever the personal cost.

## Protestant Usage

Take the courage at face value; it deserves admiration, and saying so costs you nothing at a doorstep. Then note the two verbs they refuse: they will not serve other gods, and they will not worship the image. In Daniel those two go together, and the serving word is pelach — the religious service that in this book belongs to God alone. That pairing is what makes chapter 7 startling. When the son of man arrives on the clouds at Daniel 7:13-14, he receives that same service, from every nation, for ever. Daniel is not careless with this vocabulary; he has spent three chapters showing what it costs to withhold it from anyone but God. There is a second use for this verse, gentler and slower. "Even if he does not" is faith without a guaranteed outcome — obedience that is not a transaction. It is worth asking a Witness, kindly, whether the faithfulness being asked of them is that kind, or the kind that keeps a ledger. Compare Daniel 3:17, Daniel 3:28, Daniel 7:27.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [The Son of Man on the Clouds — A Divine Prerogative](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/daniel7-son-of-man-deity.md) — Daniel 7:13-14 [Deity of Christ]