What does Daniel 6:4 mean?

The new ruler over Babylon appointed an array of supervisors, called satraps, with three leading governors over them all (Daniel 6:1–2). Daniel, a captured Hebrew (Daniel 1:1–7), was the most impressive of the three main administrators. This is attributed to his "excellent spirit" (Daniel 6:3). Prior stories also mention his deep integrity and skill (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). The other appointed leaders were jealous of Daniel's success.

In twentieth-century Europe, corrupt government officials would say something like "give me the man, I'll find a crime." The point was that they could find something—no matter how petty—to use as an accusation. If need be, they'd simply fabricate it. With Daniel, this task becomes impossible. Not only is he blameless in his job, but he also gives no room for accusations about anything. He was beyond reproach. Their only hope is to scheme some way to use Daniel's absolute loyalty to God as an attack (Daniel 6:5).

In this respect, Daniel's experience foreshadows some of what would happen later to Jesus Christ. Religious leaders looked in vain for a valid reason to have Jesus arrested. Yet Jesus never did anything immoral, nor did He say anything incorrect or blatantly illegal. He was the sinless Son of God. The Roman governor, Pilate, confessed that he had no valid reason to have Jesus punished (John 18:38; 19:6; Luke 23:4). In the end, however, the Roman governor caved to the wishes of a mob and had Jesus executed (John 19:12–16).