Jesus’s descent into the underworld is one of Christianity’s most mysterious, overlooked, and misunderstood stories. Today many Christians aren’t even aware that it’s a canonical part of the New Testament with a rich theological history. Personally, I think this is a bit of a shame. The story of Jesus’s journey after death adds insightful layers to his earthly mission and neatly ties the cross to the people who lived in the days of old.
Hell In The Bible
Before we get into the verses, it is probably prudent to first define the word HELL and take a look at the Biblical afterlife.
In modern culture, Hell is often depicted as an uncomfortably hot place, with sketchy Wi-Fi, gas station sushi, and no snow. However, in the Christian world, the term Hell strictly refers to the place of eternal punishment. The Bible describes Hell as a burning lake of sulfur reserved for the devil, death, and those whose names are not written in the Book of Life (Revelations 20:10-15).
In the Christian tradition, this world of eternal suffering is contrasted by a place of infinite awesomeness called heaven. Although Christendom is virtually united on the existence of these two locations, there is some debate about when people go. Some believe we are judged and separated right after death, while others argue that the dead are all waiting for a big judgment event at the end of time. Other concepts like the rapture and purgatory also add complications to the conversation.
Sheol?
Although Heaven and Hell are a big part of New Testament Theology, there is no mention of either location in the Old Testament. Instead, the afterlife is described as a place called Sheol. Unlike Heaven and Hell, Sheol is a place for all the dead, both good and bad. Ancient people also believed spiritual forces lived there. In the New Testament, Sheol is described with words like holding place, prison, the deep, or the land of the dead.
Verses About Jesus Descent Into The Underworld
Although all three of these afterlife locations are mentioned in the New Testament, the four verses that talk about Jesus’s activities right after his death describe him journeying to Sheol. Not Heaven or Hell.
“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?”
Ephesians 4:8-9
“In whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.”
1 Peter 3:19-20
“That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit.”
1 Peter 4:6
“Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.”
Acts 2:31
It should be mentioned that some people believe Acts 2:31 could be referencing Hell instead of Sheol. This opinion comes from the original Greek, which says “he was not abandoned Hades.” Luke 16:19-31 depicts Hades as a torturous place where bad people reside. However, it is also important to remember that Acts 2:31 is a quotation of Psalm 16:10, which explicitly says Sheol. The fact that this passage is a quotation of Psalm 16:10 strongly suggests that the writer was talking about Sheol, not Hell.
Did Jesus God to Hell?
Okay, so having said all that… Did Jesus go to Hell?
Well, when we look at all of the passages about Christ’s journey to the nether world, It becomes obvious that he went to Sheol, not Hell. Like all people of his day, Christ, after his death, departed to the realm of the dead. Where he, according to Peter, “preached to the spirits in prison.” However, unlike the rest of humanity, death could not hold him, and on the third day…. he rose.
Final Thoughts
As stated above, I really like this tidbit of information the apostles slide to us in their letters. Personally, I often view Christ’s sacrifice as an event for the people of his day and mine. This little nugget of a story reminds me that Jesus’s sacrifice is tied to promises made in our ancient past, that none of us will be forgotten, and that Christ conquered all.
I think it’s also a beautiful illustration of Christ’s humanity. In both life and death, Jesus walked in our shoes. Our God is not an immature kind of deity who spends his day lounging on fluffy clouds while judging people he does not know or understand. Our God came down in the flesh, put on a pair of Jesus sandals, and walked a mile. He knows what it’s like to face reality and be swallowed by death.
Thanks for being awesome!
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