Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
stoned--as Zechariah, son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:20-22; Matthew 23:35).
sawn asunder--as Isaiah was said to have been by Manasseh; but see my Introduction to Isaiah.
tempted--by their foes, in the midst of their tortures, to renounce their faith; the most bitter aggravation of them. Or else, by those of their own household, as Job was [ESTIUS]; or by the fiery darts of Satan, as Jesus was in His last trials [GLASSIUS]. Probably it included all three; they were tempted in every possible way, by friends and foes, by human and satanic agents, by caresses and afflictions, by words and deeds, to forsake God, but in vain, through the power of faith.
sword--literally, "they died in the murder of the sword." In Hebrews 11:34 the contrary is given as an effect of faith, "they escaped the edge of the sword." Both alike are marvellous effects of faith. In both accomplishes great things and suffers great things, without counting it suffering [CHRYSOSTOM]. Urijah was so slain by Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:23); and the prophets in Israel (1 Kings 19:10).
in sheepskins--as Elijah (1 Kings 19:13, Septuagint). They were white; as the "goat-skins" were black (compare Zechariah 13:4).
tormented--Greek, "in evil state."
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
2 Kings 1:8
2 Kings 21:16
Isaiah 5:30
Daniel 11:33
Luke 12:46
2 Corinthians 4:9
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