Cyril of Jerusalem : The Spirit endued the soul of Daniel with wisdom so that, young as he was, he became a judge of elders. The chaste Susanna was condemned as a wanton harlot. There was no one to plead her case, for who was to deliver her from the rulers? She was led away to death; she was now in the hands of the executioners. But her Helper was close at hand, the Comforter, the Spirit who sanctifies every rational nature. Come here to me, he says to Daniel. Even though you are young, convict old men infected with the sins of youth. For it is written, God raised up the Holy Spirit on a young lad; and nevertheless (to pass on quickly) by the sentence of Daniel that chaste woman was saved. We bring this forward as testimony since this is not the time for expounding further. Nebuchadnezzar also knew that the Holy Spirit was in Daniel because he says to him, "O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, I know about you that the Holy Spirit of God is in you." One thing he said truly, and one falsely. Daniel did have the Holy Spirit, that was true; but he was not the master of the magicians because he was no magician. His wisdom came through the Holy Spirit. And before this he had also interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar the vision of the image that he who had seen it did not himself understand. For he says, Tell me the vision, which I who saw it do not know. See the power of the Holy Spirit: those who saw it did not know, while those who did not see it did know and interpreted. — Catechetical Lecture 16:31 Hippolytus of Rome : Scripture says, "And while she was being carried off to be killed, God raised up the holy spirit of a young boy, who was Daniel by name. And he cried out with a great voice, 'I am innocent of this woman's blood.'" [Susannah 45-46] And so what is this which has happened, beloved? For we have been informed beforehand. On account of what reason did this assistance from the Lord not happen before her condemnation, but rather while she was being led away to be killed? It happened in this way so that the majesty and the power of God may be exhibited. And so how is this right? When one wishes to redeem one of his slaves, he is able to redeem him and to save him, whenever he wishes and as he wishes. But when he wishes to seize a slave, he is allowed to kill him, so that having endured punishments as genuine truth, and after being crowned, God might glorify him. For after Susannah prayed and was heard, an angel of the Lord was sent as her advocate and became her helper, so that he might destroy those who were against her. Who, after seeing the on-rush, the blessed Daniel, as he was a prophet and possessed the Spirit of God, cried out saying, "I am innocent of this woman's blood," [Susannah 46] so that he himself might not also become guilty of murder, in which manner also Pilate did to Christ, who washed his hands with water, saying "I am innocent of this man's blood." [Matthew 27:24] — Commentary on Daniel 1.28.1-5 Jerome : Verse 45. "And as she was being led away to die, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy." By this language it is shown that the Holy Spirit did not then enter into Daniel, but rather that He was already within him, and only because of the tenderness of his years He had remained inactive. Nor could He show forth His works until an occasion arose and the Lord stirred him up on behalf of the holy woman. — St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER THIRTEEN