‘And others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tested, they were slain with the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.'
The whole of the faithful in past history are summed up here. Every conceivable insult was poured on them, every conceivable violence was shown to them, they regularly endured the loss of all their possessions and of their homes, and had to survive in hiding, but they held firm in faith because they believed the promises of God. See for examples Judges 6:2; Judges 8:18-19; Jdg 16:25; 1 Samuel 13:6; 1 Kings 18:4; 1Ki 18:13; 1 Kings 19:14; 1 Kings 21:10; 1Ki 21:13; 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 1:8; 2 Kings 2:23; 2 Chronicles 16:10; 2Ch 24:21; 2 Chronicles 30:10; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 20:2; Jeremiah 20:7; Jeremiah 32:2; Jeremiah 36:5; Jeremiah 37:15-21; Jeremiah 38:6; Jeremiah 38:13; etc). But examples from tradition might well also be in mind, probably including the time of the Maccabees. However, cruel treatment was a regular feature of life for those who displeased monarchs and their representatives. Compare 2 Samuel 12:31 for such an example.
According to Rabbinic sources Isaiah suffered death at the hands of King Manasseh by being sawn in two, because he was enraged when Isaiah prophesied the destruction of the Temple. He may thus have been in mind. But not necessarily so for the use of saws, among other things, for killing people appears to have been regular practise in the time of David (2 Samuel 12:31). Yet if this was a sudden switching back to Isaiah's fate it demonstrates that chronology was not of prime importance to the writer, except when greater issues were in question. It reminds us that the incidents cover a wide range of centuries and cannot in the main be dated. Most occurred again and again throughout a number of centuries.
‘Of whom the world was not worthy.' Thus does he summarise his view of these gallant men and women of faith. They were citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20) and the world was not worthy of such people as they revealed themselves to be, as men and women of faith. In these seven words is summed up God's verdict on these people of faith. Of those who are born of women there were no greater than these.