Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a profound choice: accepting torture and death rather than compromising faith for a temporary release. It contrasts a "resurrection" that simply restores life on earth with a "better resurrection" – a future, eternal life that makes present suffering seem insignificant.
Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author shifts from examples of faith that brought victory to those that endured suffering. This verse presents women who received their deceased children back to life, highlighting a faith that even overcame death in a limited way. Immediately following, it pivots to individuals who endured horrific torture rather than compromise their beliefs, all in anticipation of an even greater resurrection.
Some faced horrific torture, refusing to give up their faith. Why would anyone choose suffering over freedom?
This verse highlights two distinct kinds of resurrection hope.
A Glimpse of Earthly Revival
The first part mentions women receiving their dead back through resurrection. This points to powerful Old Testament stories, like Elijah raising the widow of Zarephath's son and Elisha raising the Shunammite woman's son. These were incredible acts of God's power, bringing loved ones back to this life. They were incredible blessings, giving a taste of God's ability to overcome even death.
The Higher Hope
But the verse contrasts this with a better resurrection. The tortured believers weren't just seeking a return to earthly life. They were looking forward to a resurrection that meant eternal life, a state far superior to their current earthly existence, even if that existence were restored. Their refusal of deliverance wasn't just stubbornness; it was a profound statement of faith in a future, unending life with God.
Imagine being offered freedom from torture, but you have to compromise your deepest convictions. What would you do?
The writer of Hebrews doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of persecution. The phrase 'others were tortured' speaks of horrific suffering, potentially involving being stretched and beaten (as the Greek word suggests, related to a drum-like instrument).
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The Temptation of Deliverance
Crucially, these believers were offered 'deliverance.' This wasn't just a passive escape; it was an active choice they refused. They could have renounced their faith, saved themselves from agony, and perhaps received earthly benefits or release. But doing so would mean forfeiting their hope for the 'better resurrection.'
Faith Under Pressure
Their refusal was a testament to a faith that saw beyond immediate pain. It understood that earthly life, even if restored, is temporary. True victory wasn't escaping suffering at any cost, but enduring it faithfully for the promise of an eternal reward.
Understand the original words
anastasis · Greek Noun
The act of being raised from the dead to new life; it is the ultimate manifestation of God's power over death and the realization of eternal life.
tympanizō · Greek Verb
The act of inflicting severe physical pain, often for the purpose of coercion or punishment for holding to one's convictions; biblically, it is associated with the trials of the faithful.
The examples in Hebrews 11:35 highlight a progression in the understanding of resurrection: from a return to earthly life in the Old Testament, to a steadfast endurance of torture and death for the promise of an eternal, 'better' resurrection, a concept powerfully illustrated by the Maccabean martyrs.
c. 870 BC
Elijah raises widow's son
The prophet Elijah, by God's power, raises the son of the widow of Zarephath back to life, a profound act of faith and divine intervention.
c. 840 BC
Elisha raises Shunammite's son
The prophet Elisha restores life to the son of a Shunammite woman, demonstrating God's continued power to reverse death through faith.
167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt begins
The persecution of the Jews by Antiochus IV Epiphanes intensifies, leading to a revolt and brutal attempts to force Hellenistic practices upon them.
c. 165 BC
Martyrdom of Eleazar
Eleazar, an aged scribe, is tortured to death for refusing to eat pork, boldly choosing faithfulness to God's law over a reprieve.
c. 165 BC— this verse
Martyrdom of the Maccabean brothers
Seven brothers and their mother are brutally tortured and killed for refusing to renounce their Jewish faith under Antiochus IV. They are offered deliverance, but choose to face death for the hope of a future resurrection.
This passage directly illustrates the first part of Hebrews 11:35, showing a woman receiving her dead son back to life through the prophet Elijah, demonstrating faith in God's power to restore life.
2 Kings 4:17-37Similar to the previous reference, this account shows the Shunammite woman receiving her dead son back to life through Elisha, reinforcing the theme of women experiencing resurrection through faith and divine intervention.
This historical account provides a vivid backdrop for the latter part of Hebrews 11:35, detailing the torture and martyrdom of Eleazar and the seven brothers who refused deliverance on sinful terms, holding fast to the hope of a better resurrection.
This prophecy speaks of a future resurrection for both the righteous and the wicked, providing a foundational understanding for the concept of a 'better resurrection' that believers could anticipate, distinguishing it from mere earthly restoration.
Romans 8:18This verse encourages believers to compare present sufferings with future glory, which aligns with the mindset of those in Hebrews 11 who endured torture, believing their temporary pain would lead to an eternal reward—a 'better resurrection'.
ellicottHebrews 11:35: "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:"
(35) Raised to life again. —Literally, by a resurrection. (See 1Kings 17:22-23 ; 2Kings 4:35-37 .) At this point the character of the record is changed; hitherto we have heard of the victories of faith in action, now it is of the triumph of faith over suffering that the writer speaks. Those who “escaped the edge of the sword” ( Hebre…
wesleyHebrews 11:35: "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:"
11:35 Women - Naturally weak. Received their dead - Children. Others were tortured - From those who acted great things the apostle rises higher, to those who showed the power of faith by suffering. Not accepting deliverance - On sinful terms. That they might obtain a better resurrection - An higher reward, seeing the greater their su…
This verse highlights a profound choice: accepting torture and death rather than compromising faith for a temporary release. It contrasts a "resurrection" that simply restores life on earth with a "better resurrection" – a future, eternal life that makes present suffering seem insignificant.
The author shifts from examples of faith that brought victory to those that endured suffering. This verse presents women who received their deceased children back to life, highlighting a faith that even overcame death in a limited way. Immediately following, it pivots to individuals who endured horrific torture rather than compromise their beliefs, all in anticipation of an even greater resurrection.
The author shifts from examples of faith that brought victory to those that endured suffering. This verse presents women who received their deceased children back to life, highlighting a faith that even overcame death in a limited way. Immediately following, it pivots to individuals who endured horrific torture rather than compromise their beliefs, all in anticipation of an even greater resurrection.
"Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life." — This verse highlights a profound choice: accepting torture and death rather than compromising faith for a temporary release. It contrasts a "resurrection" that simply restores life on earth with a "b…
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Last reviewed October 2026