King James Version

What Does Hebrews 11:35 Mean?

Hebrews 11:35 in the King James Version says “Women received their dead raised to life again : and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might ob...” — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Women received their dead raised to life again : and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:”

Hebrews 11:35 · KJV

Context

33

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35

Women received their dead raised to life again : and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: This verse presents faith's two contrasting outcomes. First, miraculous deliverance: 'women received their dead raised' references the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24) and Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:18-37) whose sons Elijah and Elisha raised. These resurrections demonstrated God's power over death and foreshadowed Christ's resurrection power. Faith sometimes receives dramatic deliverance even from death itself.

However, the verse pivots dramatically with 'and others'—faith doesn't always produce earthly deliverance. Some were 'tortured' (etympanisthēsan, ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, likely referring to being stretched on a rack or beaten to death), 'not accepting deliverance' (ou prosdexamenoi tēn apolytrōsin). They could have renounced faith to escape torment but refused, demonstrating faith that values eternal reward above temporary life.

The phrase 'that they might obtain a better resurrection' (hina kreittonos anastaseōs tychōsin) reveals their motivation. Those who avoided martyrdom through recantation might preserve physical life temporarily but lose eternal reward. Those who endured torture without compromise would experience 'better resurrection' to eternal glory. This echoes Christ's teaching: 'He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal' (John 12:25). True faith values eternal over temporal, choosing persecution over compromise.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish martyrdom under persecution features prominently in intertestamental period, especially during Maccabean era (167-160 BC) under Antiochus Epiphanes. 2 Maccabees 6-7 describes martyrs tortured for refusing to eat pork or abandon Torah, explicitly mentioning hope of resurrection as motivation. These accounts would have been well-known to first-century Jewish readers. The Maccabean martyrs became models of faithful endurance under persecution. Early Christian martyrs followed this pattern, refusing to renounce Christ despite torture, trusting in resurrection hope. The contrast in verse 35 shows faith produces both miraculous deliverance and patient endurance unto death, depending on God's sovereign purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge any prosperity gospel that promises faith always produces earthly deliverance?
  2. What would you refuse to compromise even under threat of torture, and what does this reveal about your ultimate values?
  3. In what ways does resurrection hope enable believers to endure suffering and even martyrdom rather than deny Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
ἔλαβον1 of 18

“received”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

γυναῖκες2 of 18

“Women”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ἐξ3 of 18

“raised to life again”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἀναστάσεως4 of 18

“resurrection”

G386

a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor

τοὺς5 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νεκροὺς6 of 18

“dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

αὐτῶν·7 of 18
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἄλλοι8 of 18

“others”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

δὲ9 of 18

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐτυμπανίσθησαν10 of 18

“were tortured”

G5178

to stretch on an instrument of torture resembling a drum, and thus beat to death

οὐ11 of 18

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

προσδεξάμενοι12 of 18

“accepting”

G4327

to admit (to intercourse, hospitality, credence, or (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await (with confidence or patience)

τὴν13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπολύτρωσιν14 of 18

“deliverance”

G629

(the act) ransom in full, i.e., (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) christian salvation

ἵνα15 of 18

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

κρείττονος16 of 18

“a better”

G2909

stronger, i.e., (figuratively) better, i.e., nobler

ἀναστάσεως17 of 18

“resurrection”

G386

a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor

τύχωσιν·18 of 18

“they might obtain”

G5177

akin to the base of g5088 through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e., (t

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 11:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 11:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 4:27-371 Kings 17:22-24Philippians 3:11Acts 9:41Acts 24:151 Corinthians 15:54

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