Hebrews 11:36

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} others {G2087} had {G2983} trial {G3984} of cruel mockings {G1701} and {G2532} scourgings {G3148}, yea {G1161}, moreover {G2089} of bonds {G1199} and {G2532} imprisonment {G5438}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Others underwent the trials of being mocked and whipped, then chained and imprisoned.

Berean Standard Bible

Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:36 continues the "Hall of Faith" narrative by shifting focus from miraculous deliverances to the profound suffering endured by other faithful individuals. This verse specifically details the severe trials faced by those who remained steadfast in their commitment to God, highlighting their endurance through public ridicule, brutal physical torture, and debilitating incarceration. It serves as a powerful reminder that unwavering faith does not always lead to earthly comfort or escape from hardship, but often empowers believers to persevere through immense adversity, demonstrating a different, yet equally profound, form of victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Faith Hall of Fame," meticulously catalogs the lives of Old Testament saints who exemplified extraordinary faith. The chapter begins by defining faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith"). It then proceeds through a chronological list of heroes, from Abel to the prophets, illustrating faith through their actions and God's responses. While many earlier examples, such as those in [Hebrews 11:33-35a](/hebrews/11-33-35 "Hebrews 11:33-35a - Faith's Triumphs"), highlight triumphs like conquering kingdoms, stopping lions' mouths, and raising the dead, verses 35b-38 abruptly pivot to describe the intense suffering and martyrdom of others who also lived by faith. This stark contrast underscores the multifaceted nature of faith, showing that it enables both miraculous deliverance and steadfast endurance in the face of extreme persecution, thereby broadening the definition of what "victory by faith" truly entails.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of the book of Hebrews was likely Jewish Christians in the first century, facing intense pressure to revert to Judaism due to ongoing persecution and social ostracism. They were experiencing trials that tested their commitment to Christ, including public shame, confiscation of property, and imprisonment, as alluded to in [Hebrews 10:32-34](/hebrews/10-32-34 "Hebrews 10:32-34 - Enduring Persecution"). The examples in Hebrews 11, particularly those in verses 35b-38, would have resonated deeply with their contemporary struggles. The "mockings and scourgings, bonds and imprisonment" described were common forms of Roman and Jewish persecution. Mockings were public shaming, scourgings (flagellation) were brutal physical punishments often preceding execution, and imprisonment was frequently accompanied by deplorable conditions and further abuse. The author uses these historical examples from the Old Testament and intertestamental periods (e.g., the Maccabean martyrs) to encourage his readers that their suffering was not unique but part of a noble heritage of faith, urging them to persevere without wavering.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Hebrews 11, contributes significantly to several key themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **The Cost of Unwavering Faith**, demonstrating that genuine faith can lead to profound suffering rather than solely miraculous deliverance. It reveals the harsh reality of persecution as a potential consequence of living a life dedicated to God, echoing the teachings of Jesus regarding [blessedness in persecution](/matthew/5-10 "Matthew 5:10 - Blessed are those who are persecuted"). Secondly, it highlights **Endurance and Perseverance** as essential components of faith. The individuals mentioned here exemplify remarkable steadfastness in the face of extreme adversity, their faith enabling them to persevere through intense verbal abuse, brutal physical torture, and debilitating confinement, rather than renounce their beliefs. Finally, it presents **A Different Kind of Victory**. While some in Hebrews 11 experienced visible triumphs and "received back their dead" (as mentioned in [Hebrews 11:35a](/hebrews/11-35 "Hebrews 11:35a - Faith's Power to Restore")), others, like those described in this verse, demonstrated faith through their steadfastness *in* suffering. Their victory was not in escaping hardship, but in remaining faithful despite it, pointing to a greater, eternal reward and highlighting that true faithfulness often involves suffering for Christ's sake, as seen throughout the New Testament (e.g., [Philippians 1:29](/philippians/1-29 "Philippians 1:29 - Suffering for Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trial (Greek, _peîra'_):** From the base of *peran* (through the idea of piercing), this word signifies a test or an attempt, an experience. In this context, it refers to the severe testing and experience of suffering that these individuals underwent, indicating that their faith was put to the utmost proof through these hardships.
* **Mockings (Greek, _empaigmós'_):** Derived from *empaízō* (to mock, ridicule), this term denotes derision, scorn, or intense ridicule. It describes the verbal and emotional abuse inflicted upon the faithful, designed not only to humiliate but also to break their spirit and undermine their convictions. The KJV's added "[cruel]" (though not in the original Greek) accurately captures the malicious and painful nature of such abuse.
* **Scourgings (Greek, _mástix'_):** This word, related to the idea of contact, refers to a whip, specifically the Roman flagellum used for criminals. It describes brutal physical beatings or floggings, a severe form of torture often involving whips embedded with bone or metal fragments, designed to inflict extreme pain and often leading to death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And others had trial of [cruel] mockings":** This clause introduces a new category of faithful individuals, distinct from those who experienced miraculous deliverances. Their initial ordeal was "trial of mockings," indicating that their faith was tested through intense verbal abuse, ridicule, and public humiliation. This was not merely casual insult but a deliberate and often public act of scorn, intended to shame and break the spirit of the believer.
* **"and scourgings":** Following verbal abuse, the suffering escalated to physical torture. "Scourgings" refers to severe beatings or floggings, a brutal and often life-threatening form of punishment. This highlights the progression of persecution from emotional and psychological torment to extreme physical violence.
* **"yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment":** The final stage of suffering described is the loss of freedom and confinement. "Bonds" refers to chains or fetters, indicating physical restraint, while "imprisonment" denotes incarceration. This signifies not only a loss of liberty but often also dreadful living conditions, isolation, and continued abuse, representing the most comprehensive form of physical and social deprivation for their faith.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful literary devices in this verse to emphasize the severity of the suffering endured by the faithful. The most prominent is **Climax** (or **Gradation**), as the verse presents a progression of increasing severity in the trials: from verbal abuse ("mockings"), to physical torture ("scourgings"), and finally to complete loss of freedom and confinement ("bonds and imprisonment"). This escalating list intensifies the reader's understanding of the depth of suffering these saints faced. Furthermore, there is an implicit use of **Juxtaposition** when this verse is read in context with the preceding verses (e.g., [Hebrews 11:33-35a](/hebrews/11-33-35 "Hebrews 11:33-35a - Faith's Triumphs")), which detail triumphs of faith. By contrasting miraculous deliverance with profound suffering, the author broadens the definition of faithful endurance and deepens the emotional impact on the reader, evoking **Pathos** as they contemplate the immense sacrifices made for faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 11:36 provides a crucial theological balance to the triumphs of faith celebrated earlier in the chapter. It powerfully asserts that faith is not a guarantee of earthly ease or immediate deliverance from suffering, but rather a divine enablement to endure *through* suffering, even to the point of death. This verse underscores that true faithfulness often involves a willingness to suffer for God's name, aligning the experience of believers with the pattern of Christ Himself. The steadfastness of these saints, despite extreme persecution, testifies to a hope that transcends temporal comfort and points to an eternal reward, demonstrating that their ultimate victory was found in remaining faithful to God regardless of the earthly cost. Their endurance serves as a profound testament to the power of a faith rooted in God's promises, not in immediate gratification or escape from hardship.

* [Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10-12 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Beatitudes on Persecution")
* [1 Peter 4:12-13](/1_peter/4-12-13 "1 Peter 4:12-13 - Suffering for Christ")
* [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ through Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:36 offers profound encouragement and a sober perspective for believers in every age. It fundamentally challenges the notion that a life of faith will be free from hardship, instead asserting that suffering, ridicule, and persecution are often part of the journey for those who truly follow Christ. This understanding is liberating, as it reframes adversity not as a sign of God's disfavor, but as a path trodden by many of God's most faithful servants throughout history, including the very Son of God. For contemporary believers, this verse calls for a robust and resilient faith, one that is prepared to endure social ostracism, verbal abuse, or even more severe forms of opposition for the sake of the Gospel. It inspires us to embrace perseverance, knowing that we are part of a "great cloud of witnesses" [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - The Cloud of Witnesses") who ran the race before us, demonstrating that true victory lies not in escaping trials, but in remaining steadfastly faithful through them, trusting in God's ultimate vindication and eternal promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hebrews 11:36 challenge your preconceived notions about the Christian life and the nature of faith?**
* **In what ways might you be experiencing "mockings" or other forms of social pressure for your faith today, and how can this verse encourage you to endure?**
* **What does "victory by faith" mean to you in light of the suffering described in this verse, as opposed to only miraculous deliverance?**

### FAQ

**Does Hebrews 11:36 imply that God desires believers to suffer, or that suffering is always a sign of true faith?**

Answer: Hebrews 11:36 does not imply that God desires suffering for its own sake, nor that suffering is the *only* sign of true faith. Rather, it highlights the reality that in a fallen world, and particularly when one stands for righteousness, suffering can be an unavoidable consequence of faithfulness. The verse showcases that faith is robust enough to endure *through* such trials, whether they are verbal abuse (mockings), physical violence (scourgings), or imprisonment. It broadens our understanding of faith's power, demonstrating that it enables both miraculous deliverance (as seen in [Hebrews 11:33-35a](/hebrews/11-33-35 "Hebrews 11:33-35a - Faith's Triumphs")) and steadfast endurance in the face of immense adversity. The emphasis is on the *faith* that enables perseverance, not on suffering as a prerequisite. It reminds us that our example is Christ, who suffered unjustly, and that believers are called to follow in His footsteps [1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ's Example of Suffering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 11:36, detailing the profound suffering of Old Testament saints, finds its ultimate and most poignant fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonment" endured by these faithful individuals precisely prefigure the trials faced by the Messiah. Jesus was indeed subjected to [cruel mockings](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus is Mocked") by soldiers and crowds, His divine identity derided and His suffering made a public spectacle. He endured [brutal scourgings](/john/19-1 "John 19:1 - Jesus is Scourged") at the hands of Roman soldiers, a physical torment so severe it often led to death. Furthermore, He experienced "bonds and imprisonment" as He was arrested, bound, and held captive before His trials [Matthew 26:50](/matthew/26-50 "Matthew 26:50 - Jesus is Arrested"). The very suffering that tested the faith of the Old Testament heroes became the path of obedience and redemption for the Son of God. His willingness to endure these ultimate trials, not for His own sin but for the sins of humanity, demonstrates the pinnacle of faith and obedience. Through His suffering, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the pattern of faithful endurance, transforming the "trial" into the means of our salvation and providing the ultimate example for all who would follow Him, looking "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Faith"). His victory was not in escaping suffering, but in triumphing *through* it, opening the way to eternal glory for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 20:2

Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that [were] in the high gate of Benjamin, which [was] by the house of the LORD.

Genesis 39:20

And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners [were] bound: and he was there in the prison.

Jeremiah 37:15

Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

Jeremiah 37:21

Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

2 Chronicles 30:10

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

Jeremiah 20:7

¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

Jeremiah 32:2

For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.