Hebrews 11:35-37
Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse makes a profound distinction between two kinds of resurrection: one that brings someone back to earthly life, and another that leads to an enduring, "better" life. This means that even miracles of restoration in this life were ultimately understood by faith as pointing toward something even greater.
The author transitions from examples of faith leading to victory and deliverance to those facing extreme suffering and martyrdom. This verse highlights two distinct acts of faith: women receiving back their dead children through resurrection, and others choosing torture over release to attain a "better resurrection," looking beyond earthly life. This sets the stage for the continued examples of faith through suffering that will fill the rest of the chapter.
The verse speaks of resurrection twice, but not in the same way. What's the difference, and why does it matter so much?
Hebrews 11:35 presents two distinct encounters with resurrection:
A Glimpse of God's Power
The first part mentions women receiving their dead 'by resurrection.' This points to Old Testament accounts 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 individuals back to earthly life. It was a sign of God's provision and His ability to overcome even death in this world.
The Ultimate Hope
But then, the verse contrasts this with those 'tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.' This 'better resurrection' isn't just a return to this life. It's a resurrection to eternal life, a resurrection that transcends earthly suffering and loss. The martyrs chose death rather than compromise their faith, holding onto the promise of a future, unending existence with God. Their earthly deliverance would have meant denying this ultimate hope.
We often associate faith with victory and triumph. But this verse shows faith shining brightest in the face of unimaginable pain.
The author of Hebrews shifts from stories of faith's victories to stories of faith's endurance in suffering. It's easy to see God's hand when things go well, but true faith is revealed when we hold on even when life brings torture and death.
Choosing the Unseen
The individuals described here faced brutal torture. They were offered a way out – a 'deliverance' – but it required them to deny their faith. They refused. Why? Because they were looking beyond the immediate agony to a future reality.
The Cost of Conviction
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.
empaigmos · Greek Noun
An attitude of hostility or contempt shown toward those who follow God. In Scripture, it often refers to the world's rejection of God's messengers and the truth of the Gospel.
hystereō · Greek Adjective
Being in a state of severe hardship, lack, or poverty. It characterizes those who have forsaken worldly comforts to remain faithful to God's calling.
The text contrasts resurrections to earthly life with the ultimate resurrection to eternal life, highlighting the extraordinary faith of those who endured torture, refusing earthly deliverance for a greater heavenly reward.
c. 875 BC
Elisha raises Shunammite's son
The prophet Elisha miraculously restores the dead son of a Shunammite woman back to life, an act of faith foreshadowing later resurrections.
c. 850 BC
Elijah raises widow's son
The prophet Elijah revives the son of the widow of Zarephath, demonstrating God's power over death through faithful intercession.
167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt begins
The persecution of Antiochus IV Epiphanes intensifies, leading to Jewish resistance and widespread martyrdom for faithfulness to the Law.
c. 165 BC
Martyrdom of Eleazar
Eleazar, an aged scribe, is tortured to death for refusing to eat pork, choosing faithfulness to God's Law over life.
c. 165 BC
This passage directly relates to the first part of Hebrews 11:35, showing a woman receiving her dead son back to life through Elijah's prayer, highlighting the theme of resurrection by faith.
2 Kings 4:35-37Similar to the event in 1 Kings, this account shows another woman receiving her son back to life through Elisha, further illustrating the theme of resurrection granted through faith and prophetic intervention.
This powerful account from the Apocrypha provides a vivid historical context for the latter part of Hebrews 11:35, detailing the torture of seven brothers and their mother who refused deliverance to obtain a better resurrection.
This prophecy speaks of a future resurrection for both the wise and the foolish, providing a broader theological backdrop for the concept of 'a better resurrection' mentioned in Hebrews, contrasting it with resurrection to judgment.
Philippians 3:10-11Paul's desire to 'know Christ and the power of his resurrection' and to 'attain the resurrection from the dead' echoes the Hebrews writer's theme of pursuing a superior resurrection beyond earthly life.
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…
The verse makes a profound distinction between two kinds of resurrection: one that brings someone back to earthly life, and another that leads to an enduring, "better" life. This means that even miracles of restoration in this life were ultimately understood by faith as pointing toward something even greater.
The author transitions from examples of faith leading to victory and deliverance to those facing extreme suffering and martyrdom. This verse highlights two distinct acts of faith: women receiving back their dead children through resurrection, and others choosing torture over release to attain a "better resurrection," looking beyond earthly life. This sets the stage for the continued examples of faith through suffering that will fill the rest of the chapter.
The author transitions from examples of faith leading to victory and deliverance to those facing extreme suffering and martyrdom. This verse highlights two distinct acts of faith: women receiving back their dead children through resurrection, and others choosing torture over release to attain a "better resurrection," looking beyond earthly life. This sets the stage for the continued examples of faith through suffering that will fill the rest of the chapter.
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Their choice wasn't about seeking suffering, but about refusing to accept a deliverance that would cost them their eternal destiny. They understood that earthly life is temporary, and their commitment to God was worth more than any temporary escape. This shows a profound trust that God's promises far outweigh present troubles.
thlibō · Greek Verb/Adjective
To be burdened, harassed, or suffering under external pressure. It describes the physical and emotional distress endured by the faithful while living in a fallen world.
Martyrdom of the Maccabean Martyrs
Seven brothers and their mother are brutally tortured and killed for refusing to renounce their faith under Antiochus Epiphanes, holding onto the hope of 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. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they…" — The verse makes a profound distinction between two kinds of resurrection: one that brings someone back to earthly life, and another that leads to an enduring, "better" life. This means that even mi…
