Short Answer: The Bible teaches that Jesus truly died and was in the realm of the dead, yet he told the repentant thief he would be with him in Paradise, so Christians should be careful with the word “hell” and anchor their confidence in Jesus’ finished work and victorious resurrection.
Long Answer: The Bible teaches that Jesus truly died and was in the realm of the dead, yet he told the repentant thief he would be with him in Paradise, so Christians should be careful with the word “hell” and anchor their confidence in Jesus’ finished work and victorious resurrection.
This question often comes up because some Christians have heard the phrase “He descended into hell.” Others wonder whether Jesus suffered in hell after the cross. To answer well, we need to let Scripture define the terms.
What Jesus said at the moment of death
On the cross, Jesus told the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). That points to blessing and fellowship with God, not torment.
Jesus also cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and then entrusted himself to the Father: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). That language emphasizes completion and trust. The cross is where Jesus bore our sins; he did not need to continue suffering after death to “finish” redemption.
What does “hell” mean in the Bible?
English Bibles can use “hell” for more than one concept:
- The place of final judgment (often tied to “Gehenna” language)
- The realm of the dead (“Sheol” in the Old Testament, often “Hades” in the New Testament)
When people say, “Jesus went to hell,” they may mean different things. Scripture does not teach that Jesus went to the place of final punishment to suffer further for sin. But it does teach that he truly entered death—he was buried and was among the dead.
Key passages people point to
Acts 2 and Psalm 16
Peter says Jesus was not “abandoned to Hades” and his body did not see corruption (Acts 2:27, 31, drawing from Psalm 16). The point is Jesus truly died, but God did not leave him in death—he raised him up.
1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:18–20 speaks about Jesus and “spirits in prison,” a difficult passage that Christians interpret in different ways. Whatever view you take, the central point is Jesus’ victory: he suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). The passage is not meant to make us fear that Jesus was tormented after the cross; it’s meant to show that his triumph reaches everywhere.
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4:8–10 mentions Christ “descending” and “ascending.” Many understand this as referring to his incarnation and then exaltation, not a detailed map of an underworld journey. The main emphasis is that Jesus fills all things as the victorious Lord.
A careful biblical summary
Here’s what we can say confidently:
- Jesus truly died (Mark 15:37–39).
- Jesus was buried (Mark 15:46).
- Jesus’ body was in the grave until resurrection.
- Jesus’ spirit was in God’s care, and Jesus spoke of “Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
- Jesus did not go to the place of final punishment to continue paying for sin; his atoning work was finished on the cross (John 19:30).
What to do next
- If this topic confuses you, start with the clear texts (Luke 23:43; John 19:30; Acts 2:24–32).
- Build your assurance on what is certain: Jesus died for our sins and rose bodily from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
- Let the resurrection strengthen your hope: because Jesus lives, death is not the end for those who belong to him (Romans 6:5).
Key Scriptures: Luke 23:43; Luke 23:46; John 19:30; Acts 2:24–32; 1 Pet 3:18–20; Eph 4:8–10; Mark 15:37–39, 46; 1 Cor 15:3–4