This one and the next two verses revealed on the occassion of OHUD, but they also carry a general sense of meaning for all the martyrs in the cause of the truth, as well as those fourteen faithfuls who were slain in the BADR. ``Do not consider those who die in the path of Allah as dead ones - they live and are sustained from the indescribable nearness and favour of Allah!''
To die in the path of God or for the cause of truth is not merely confined in being killed in a battle which is for the sake of Allah. It may have many shades of meaning and include many sorts of death that are for the cause of God.
By eternal life and immortality which is marked in this verse, the life after death is wanted; the interval between death and Resurrection, that in QURÄN'S language is called BARZAKH, which literally means ISTHMUS. This life is not especialized to the martyrs, but it is rather common to all - good and bad, faithful or faithless; and each having his own deserved position there. Here in this verse, due to the rank and dignity of the martyrs, the life after death is mentioned after them as a mark. The martyrs and the Godly people, through the gateway of death will enter a true, real, glorious life, which is in a far and higher sense than this mortal life which lapses like a shadow.