And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
One man among them was clothed with linen - his clothing marked his office as distinct from that of the six officers of vengeance. "Linen" characterized the high priest (Leviticus 16:4), being emblematic of purity. A linen coat, linen breeches, linen girdle, and linen mitre were worn by the high priest. The same garment is assigned to the angel of the Lord (for which Michael is but another name) in the contemporary prophet Daniel (Daniel 10:5; Daniel 12:6-7). Therefore the Intercessory High Priest in heaven must be meant (Zechariah 1:12). The six with Him are His subordinates; therefore He is said to be "among them" - literally, 'in the midst of them,' as their recognized Lord (Hebrews 1:6). He appears as a "man," implying His incarnation; as "ONE" (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5). Salvation is peculiarly assigned to Him, and so He bears the "inkhorn," in order to "mark" His elect (Ezekiel 9:4; compare the blood-mark on the houses of Israel, which saved them, on the night of the Passover, from the destroying angel, Exodus 12:7; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 9:4; and contrast the mark of the beast on his deluded from the destroying angel, Exodus 12:7; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 9:4; and contrast the mark of the beast on his deluded followers, 13:16-17; 20:4), and to write their names in His book of life (Revelation 13:8).
As Oriental scribes suspend their inkhorn at their side in the present day, and as a "scribe of the host" is found in Assyrian inscriptions accompanying the host to number the heads of the slain, so He stands ready for the work before Him. "The higher gate" was probably where now the gate of Damascus is. The six with Him make up the sacred and perfect number, seven (Zechariah 3:9; Revelation 5:6). The executors of judgment on the wicked, in Scripture teaching, are good, not bad angels; the bad have permitted to them the trial of the pious (Job 1:12; 2 Corinthians 12:7). The judgment is executed by Him (Ezekiel 10:2; Ezekiel 10:7; John 5:22; John 5:27) through the six (Matthew 13:41; Matthew 25:31); so beautifully does the Old Testament harmonize with the New Testament. The seven come "from the way of the north;" for it was there the idolatries were seen (Ezekiel 8:3; Ezekiel 8:5; Ezekiel 8:14), and from the same quarter must proceed the judgment (Babylon lying northeast of Judea). So Matthew 24:28.
They went in and stood - the attitude of waiting reverently for Yahweh's commands.
Beside the brasen altar - the altar of burnt offerings, not the altar of incense, which was of gold. They "stood" there to imply reverent obedience, because there God gave His answers to prayer (Calvin); also, as being about to kill victims to God's justice, they stand where sacrifices are usually slain (Grotius). (Ezekiel 39:17; Isaiah 34:6; Jeremiah 12:3; Jeremiah 46:10.)