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Hebrews 11:36

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of Hebrews 11:36

Hebrews chapter 11 is famously known as the "Faith Hall of Fame," chronicling the lives of numerous Old Testament figures who exemplified extraordinary faith. While many verses in this chapter highlight triumphs and miraculous deliverances achieved through faith, verses 35b-38 shift focus to the darker side of faith's journey: the severe suffering and persecution endured by others who also remained steadfast. Hebrews 11:36 specifically details the verbal abuse, physical torture, and confinement faced by these faithful individuals, reminding us that faith does not always guarantee earthly comfort or escape from hardship, but often empowers believers to endure through immense trials.

Key Themes

  • The Cost of Unwavering Faith: This verse starkly illustrates that genuine faith can lead to profound suffering, not just miraculous deliverance. It reveals the harsh reality of persecution as a potential consequence of living a life dedicated to God, echoing the words of Jesus about blessedness in persecution.
  • Endurance and Perseverance: The individuals mentioned here exemplify remarkable endurance in the face of extreme adversity. Their faith enabled them to persevere through intense verbal abuse, brutal physical torture, and debilitating confinement, rather than renounce their beliefs.
  • A Different Kind of Victory: While some in Hebrews 11 experienced visible triumphs and received back their dead (as mentioned in Hebrews 11:35), 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.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses powerful terms to convey the severity of the trials faced by these faithful saints:

  • "Mockings" (Greek: empaigmōn) signifies intense ridicule, scorn, and derision. This was designed not only to humiliate but also to break the spirit of the faithful. The KJV's added "[cruel]" further emphasizes the malicious and painful nature of such abuse.
  • "Scourgings" (Greek: mastigōn) refers to severe beatings or floggings. This was a brutal form of physical torture, often involving whips with embedded bone or metal fragments, used to inflict extreme pain and often leading to death.
  • "Bonds and imprisonment" (Greek: desmōn kai phylakēs) describe physical confinement, chains, and incarceration. This meant a loss of freedom, often accompanied by dreadful conditions, isolation, and further abuse.

These terms paint a vivid and sobering picture of the suffering endured by those who chose to remain faithful to God.

Practical Application

Hebrews 11:36 offers profound encouragement and perspective for believers today:

  • Suffering is Not Alien to Faith: It reminds us that experiencing hardship, ridicule, or persecution for one's faith is not a sign of God's disfavor, but rather a path trodden by many of God's most faithful servants throughout history.
  • Inspiration for Steadfastness: This verse calls us to embrace perseverance. Just as these ancient saints endured, so too can modern believers find strength through faith to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, whether it be social ostracism, verbal abuse, or more severe forms of persecution.
  • Connection to a Noble Heritage: We are part of a continuous line of believers, connected to a "great cloud of witnesses" who persevered before us. Their stories serve as a powerful testament to the enduring power of faith and an encouragement to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
  • Focus on Eternal Hope: The steadfastness of these saints points to a heavenly reward and a hope that transcends earthly suffering. Their willingness to endure such trials underscores the immense value they placed on their relationship with God and the eternal promises awaiting them.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 20:2 (13 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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.