11:35

Women received their dead by resurrection: The Hebrew Scriptures mention two women of great faith who were favored in this way. The first was the widow of Zarephath, a Phoenician town to the north of Israel. (Lu 4:25, 26) Jehovah empowered his prophet Elijah to raise her young boy from the dead​—the first such miracle in the Bible record. (1Ki 17:17-24) The second was a barren married woman in Shunem. Jehovah’s prophet Elisha told her that she would bear a child. When the boy suddenly died some time later, Jehovah used Elisha to resurrect him.​—2Ki 4:8-20, 32-37.

they would not accept release by some ransom: Accepting “release by some ransom” apparently refers to compromising in order to avoid torture or even death. One reference work explains that the idea included “deliverance offered at the price of denying [one’s] faith.” Paul does not name these other men, but the Bible does mention some who did not compromise and who even died for their obedience to Jehovah. (1Ki 19:10; 21:3, 15; 2Ch 24:20, 21; Ne 9:26) For example, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have avoided what appeared to be certain death in a fiery furnace if they had obeyed Nebuchadnezzar’s order to bow down to the image he had set up. (Da 3:1-30) And Daniel himself refused to stop praying openly to Jehovah, though the prophet knew that his actions could cost him his life. (Da 6:7, 10) There were doubtless many others like these, both men and women.

a better resurrection: This phrase apparently refers to a resurrection better than the ones just mentioned. As thrilling as those miracles were, the people who were resurrected died again. Jehovah’s faithful servants in ancient times hoped for a resurrection that was even better​—one that could lead to everlasting life.​—Job 14:13-15; Isa 25:8; 26:19; Da 12:2.