Where was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection? Did Jesus go to Hell?

Southern Seminary2 minutes read

After Jesus' death, there are differing interpretations on whether He descended to hell or ascended to heaven, with biblical accounts and interpretations challenging the belief of His descent to hell between His death and resurrection. Paradise is described as a place of joy and happiness where believers go upon physical death, awaiting resurrection, contrasting with the suffering of hell.

Insights

  • The interpretation of Ephesians 4:7 varies, with some viewing Jesus' actions as freeing people from hell and others as neutralizing demonic opposition.
  • The biblical accounts, like the interaction between Jesus and the thief on the cross in Luke's Gospel, challenge the traditional belief that Jesus descended to hell after His death, pointing towards His immediate ascension to heaven.

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Recent questions

  • Did Jesus go to hell after His death?

    No

  • What is the Doctrine of Christus Victor?

    Jesus' victory over Satan

  • Where do believers go after physical death?

    Paradise

  • What is the significance of Ephesians 4:7 in relation to Jesus?

    Gave gifts to men

  • What does 1 Peter 3:18-20 clarify about Jesus' descent?

    Spirits were in prison

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Summary

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Did Jesus Descend to Hell After Death?

  • Tradition in the church suggests that after Jesus' death, He went to hell and released people held captive by Satan, as part of the Doctrine of Christus Victor.
  • Ephesians 4:7 mentions that Jesus, upon ascending, led captive a host of captives and gave gifts to men, which some interpret as freeing people from hell, while others see it as neutralizing demonic opposition.
  • 1 Peter 3:18-20 is sometimes interpreted as Jesus descending into hell to preach to spirits, but the NASB version clarifies that the spirits were in prison at the time of proclamation, not before.
  • The account in Luke's Gospel of Jesus' interaction with the thief on the cross indicates that the thief would be with Jesus in paradise that day, suggesting Jesus did not descend to hell but ascended to heaven.
  • Paradise is described as a place of joy and happiness where believers go upon physical death, awaiting resurrection, contrasting with the suffering of hell.
  • The belief that Jesus descended to hell between His death and resurrection is questioned due to the biblical accounts and interpretations that suggest otherwise.
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