How many men did King Nebuchadnezzar see walking around in a fiery furnace?

Answer 1

He saw four, although only three had been thrown in there. Some have considered this extra person to have either been an angel , or even the pre-incarnate Christ. In any case, whatever, or whoever it was, it appeared as another person with the three.

The reason that Jesus is thought to be the fourth relates to the description given by King Nebuchadnezzar. This King had previously had dealings with Daniel and from future events recorded in Daniel, evidently had an awareness of the one true God, although maintaining also his heathen idolatry. Thus, his recognition of 'the Son of God' may show such an awareness, or it may simply be an exclamation out of the surprise of seeing the fourth person present, and recognizing the supernatural power of such an occurrence.

In any case, the King also had officials with him who also witnessed this event, including the fourth person.

Daniel 3:21-2521Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They ed and said unto the king, True, O king.

25He ed and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.