The question of whether Jesus descended into “hell” (or the realm of the dead) between His death and resurrection is a subject of theological debate, with different interpretations based on specific biblical passages. Here’s an examination of key Scriptures and interpretations that have shaped this topic.
1. Ephesians 4:8-10: The Descent to “Lower Earthly Regions”
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks of Christ’s descent before His ascension.
- Ephesians 4:8-10 – “This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’ (What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)”
- Interpretation: Many interpret “the lower, earthly regions” as a reference to Christ descending to the realm of the dead. This may suggest that Jesus visited the place of the dead (often called “Sheol” in Hebrew and “Hades” in Greek), not to suffer, but possibly to proclaim His victory or release the righteous who had awaited redemption.
2. 1 Peter 3:18-20: Proclaiming to the Spirits in Prison
This passage from Peter is one of the most frequently cited when discussing whether Jesus went to the realm of the dead.
- 1 Peter 3:18-20 – “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.”
- Interpretation: This passage has been interpreted in several ways. One view is that, after His death, Jesus went to the realm of the dead to proclaim His victory to “imprisoned spirits” (possibly the souls of those who had died in disobedience). Another interpretation is that this refers to Christ’s Spirit proclaiming through Noah to the people of Noah’s time, who are now “imprisoned.” This passage is ambiguous, but it is sometimes understood as Jesus proclaiming victory over sin and death to spirits in the realm of the dead.
3. Acts 2:25-31: David’s Prophecy and Christ’s Resurrection
In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, he quotes Psalm 16, interpreting it as a prophecy about Jesus’ resurrection.
- Acts 2:27, 31 – “‘You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead; you will not let your holy one see decay.’ … Seeing what was to come, [David] spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.”
- Interpretation: Peter’s sermon suggests that Jesus was not left in Hades (the realm of the dead) but was raised to life. While this passage does not explicitly say Jesus went to Hades, it acknowledges that He was in the realm of the dead between His death and resurrection. The emphasis here is on God’s faithfulness in raising Jesus, preventing Him from remaining in death.
4. The Apostles’ Creed and the Phrase “He Descended into Hell”
The Apostles’ Creed, an early Christian statement of faith, includes the phrase “He descended into hell.” This phrase has been understood in different ways. Some understand “hell” to mean “Hades” or “the grave” (the realm of the dead), while others view it as a reference to a place of punishment. In many translations and traditions, this phrase is taken to mean that Jesus experienced death and went to the realm of the dead but did not suffer torment or punishment.
5. Luke 23:43: “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”
When Jesus speaks to the repentant thief on the cross, He promises immediate presence in “Paradise.”
- Luke 23:43 – “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
- Interpretation: “Paradise” is often understood to mean a place of peace and rest for the righteous dead, not hell in the traditional sense. This promise implies that Jesus’ spirit went to a place of blessing rather than a place of punishment. For some, this suggests that Jesus did not descend to a place of torment but rather to a place of peace in the presence of God.
6. 2 Corinthians 5:8: Absence from the Body and Presence with the Lord
Paul’s words here give insight into the immediate transition to God’s presence after death for believers.
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
- Interpretation: This passage reflects Paul’s belief that death brings the faithful immediately into the presence of God. By implication, since Jesus was without sin, some interpret this to mean that after His death, He would also be in God’s presence.
Summary and Interpretations
The Bible does not give a straightforward answer to whether Jesus “went to hell” in the sense of a place of punishment. However, a few interpretations have developed based on Scripture:
- Descended to Hades/Sheol to Proclaim Victory: Some believe that Jesus went to the realm of the dead (Hades or Sheol) to proclaim His victory over sin and death, possibly even releasing the souls of the faithful who had awaited redemption. Passages like Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-20 support this view.
- Presence in “Paradise” with the Righteous: Luke 23:43, where Jesus speaks of “Paradise,” suggests He went to a place of peace with the repentant thief. In this view, Jesus was in the restful part of the realm of the dead, not a place of torment.
- Symbolic Interpretation in the Apostles’ Creed: In the Apostles’ Creed, “He descended into hell” is often interpreted as Jesus fully experiencing death and the grave. This phrase is taken to mean He went to the realm of the dead but not to a place of punishment or suffering.
In conclusion, while there are passages that suggest Jesus went to the realm of the dead, the Bible does not explicitly teach that He went to a place of torment or punishment. Rather, His descent to the dead can be understood as part of His redemptive work, proclaiming victory over sin and death and fulfilling all aspects of human experience, even in death.