Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 11:35

"Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:" — Hebrews 11:35 (ASV)

A number of women in Scripture “received back their dead” as living: Elijah’s hostess (1 Kings 17:17–24), the Shunammite who befriended Elisha (2 Kings 4:18–37), the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–14), Lazarus (Jn 11), and Dorcas, the friend of widows (Acts 9:36–41). Sometimes, however, faith worked in another way. Some accepted torture rather than release in order that “they might gain a better resurrection,” i.e., be raised to the life of the age to come with God and not simply be restored to the life of this age. A “better resurrection” perhaps implies that all will be raised; it is better to endure suffering and even torture now in order that the resurrection may be joyous. Other forms of torture were severe mockery, floggings, chains, and imprisonment.