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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Women received their dead raised to life again." He here speaks of what occurred in regard to the prophets, Elisha, and Elijah; for they raised the dead. "And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." But we have not obtained a Resurrection. I am able however, he means, to show that they also were cut off, and did not accept deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. For why, tell me, when it was open to them to live, did they not choose it? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The widow of Zarephath through Elijah (3 Kingdoms 17:20–23) and the Shunammite woman through Elisha (4 Kingdoms 4:32–37). That is, they were beheaded, like John the Baptist (Matt. 14:3–11), like James the son of Zebedee (Acts 12:2). Some, however, interpreted the torture in the sense of being beaten with rods. That is, they could have refrained from reproaching those whom they reproached, and thus escaped the punishment inflicted on them, but they did not wish to do so. …
Oecumenius
"Women received back their dead." The Shunammite through Elisha, and before that the woman of Zarephath through Elijah. "Some were tortured." They were cut off, like James and John, and those who were beheaded. Or they died by clubs. Others say that being tortured means being flayed. It is also said about the Maccabees, "refusing to accept release." (2 Macc. 7:1) As if they did not accept to be released from the punishment that was brought upon them. Although it was possible for them, he says, to live, they did not wish to. …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
641 (cont.). – But the third pertains to the effect of divine courage; hence, he says, Women received their dead raised to life again, i.e., by the resurrection. Some who misunderstood this, explained their dead, i.e., their husbands, and argued that death does not dissolve the bond of marriage. This is false even if they should rise again. …
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