Jesus In Hell

If you’ve ever recited the Apostle’s Creed, you’ve probably heard this line:
“He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead.”

Wait—Jesus descended to hell?

For many Christians, this line is surprising. Even if you’ve recited it over the years, you might pause and ask…

• What does this even mean?
• Is it biblical?
• Did Jesus go to hell after His death on the cross?

If you’ve ever wrestled with these questions, stick with me. Today, we’re going to dive into scripture, explore church tradition, and revisit Jesus’ own words to uncover the life-changing truth about what happened during those three mysterious days.

What Does “He Descended to Hell” Mean?

To understand the meaning of this phrase, let’s start with the Apostle’s Creed. While the phrase “He descended to hell” isn’t a direct quote from scripture, it is grounded in early church teaching. The original Latin text uses the term “inferos,” which translates to “the lower places.”

But what are these lower places? Is it the fiery hell of eternal punishment we often imagine? Not quite. Instead, this refers to a concept deeply rooted in both Jewish and early Christian beliefs:

• Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek): These terms describe the realm of the dead—a holding place for all souls, both righteous and unrighteous, before final judgment.

This means that Jesus descended to the realm of the dead. But He didn’t go as a prisoner—He went as a victorious Redeemer.

His descent wasn’t about suffering further punishment. It was a mission of redemption and a bold declaration that even death couldn’t stop Him.

Paradise, Sheol, and the Thief on the Cross

One of the most fascinating parts of Jesus’ descent into the realm of the dead comes from what He said to the thief on the cross:
“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Let’s unpack this statement, because paradise is often misunderstood.

In Jewish tradition, paradise referred to Abraham’s Bosom—a place distinct from heaven. It was believed to be the section of Sheol (or Hades) reserved for the righteous dead, a place of rest and comfort while they awaited the ultimate redemption through God’s Messiah.

This raises an important question: Was paradise in heaven?

The answer is no, and we know this because of what Jesus said to Mary after His resurrection. Let’s revisit that scene in John 20:17:

“Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.”

Think about this. Jesus had already died, spent three days in the grave, and risen, yet He tells Mary He hadn’t ascended to His Father yet. This means that paradise is not heaven.

What does this reveal to us?

• While His spirit descended to paradise in Sheol after His death (where He met the thief, as promised), He hadn’t yet ascended to the presence of the Father in heaven.
• Paradise was a temporary place of peace for the righteous dead, separate from the eternal dwelling of God, until Jesus completed His mission.

This important detail establishes that:

1. Jesus’ descent into Sheol wasn’t to torment or punishment, but to paradise, where He fulfilled His promise to the thief.
2. Heaven (the Father’s presence) came later, after His mission was complete.

What Did Jesus Say About His Death and Resurrection?

Throughout His ministry, Jesus previewed His journey through death and resurrection. Here are some key examples:

• Mark 8:31:
  “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected… and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
• John 2:19–21:
  “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”

These words remind us: Jesus knew exactly what was coming. His journey to the cross, His descent to paradise, and His eventual resurrection were all part of God’s massive plan of salvation.

Check out my latest book 63 Hours In Hell, a Christian Fantasy where it explores the 3 days between Jesus death and Resurrection.

Old Testament Foreshadowing: Jonah and “The Heart of the Earth”

Let’s rewind to the Old Testament, where we find a breathtaking foreshadowing of Jesus’ burial and descent.

In Matthew 12:40, Jesus Himself draws a parallel:
“Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

This is where an amazing connection starts to surface:

• Jonah 2:2:
  “Out of the belly of Sheol, I cried, and You heard my voice.”

Jonah speaks of being in Sheol, the realm of the dead, as a metaphor to describe his experience in the belly of the fish. This directly parallels Jesus spending three days in Sheol, not as one abandoned, but as one preparing for ultimate victory.

Or some believe that Jonah died and went to Sheol for three days but there isn’t any further scriptural evidence to support this.

What Happened in Sheol?

So, what was Jesus doing during those three days in the realm of the dead?

1. Proclaiming Victory

• 1 Peter 3:18–19:
  “Christ… being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison…”
  • In Sheol, Jesus made a bold proclamation—not just to the righteous, but also to the rebellious spirits. This wasn’t a sermon for salvation, but a declaration of His authority over death, sin, and hell.

2. Redeeming the Righteous

• Ephesians 4:8–10:
  “When He ascended on high, He led a host of captives and gave gifts to men.”
  • Jesus didn’t leave Sheol empty-handed. He freed the souls of the righteous dead who had been waiting for their Redeemer.

3. Breaking the Power of Death

• Revelation 1:17–18:
  “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
  • Jesus didn’t just proclaim victory—He came out of Sheol holding the keys to both Death and Hades, symbolizing His absolute authority.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Here’s where the story gets personal:

1. Paradise Still Offers Hope: Just like Jesus brought redemption and peace to the righteous in Sheol, He offers the same to us today. No matter how deep our darkness feels, Jesus is greater.
2. Death Isn’t the End: Jesus walked into the grave and came back victorious. For those who trust in Him, death is no longer your greatest fear—eternal life is your greatest reality.
3. Jesus’ Mission Was Always About You: Every moment spent in the grave, in Sheol, and at the cross was motivated by His desire to rescue you so you could dwell with Him forever.

Final Thoughts: From the Cross to Paradise

Jesus’ descent into the realm of the dead wasn’t a period of waiting or defeat—it was one of ultimate triumph.

• He descended to paradise in Sheol.
• He proclaimed freedom to the captives.
• He conquered sin, death, and hell forever.

The incredible truth is this: Jesus entered the depths so you don’t have to. Whatever darkness you’re walking through, He has already been there—and He has overcome it.

Through His death, descent, and resurrection, Jesus holds the keys to life and freedom for you. Heaven is now wide open, and we get to live as redeemed, victorious, and wholly loved children of God.

So here’s the question: Are you holding on to the victory He already won for you?

What Does Descent Into Hell Mean?

To truly understand this, we need to look at Scripture, explore what “hell” meant in early Christian teachings, and see how this event—whether you call it a descent, a mission, or a victory—changed the world forever. What Does “He Descended to Hell” Mean? The phrase “He descended to hell” isn’t directly found in Scripture, but it comes from early church teaching in the Apostle’s Creed. The original Latin text uses the word inferos, meaning “the lower places.”

This isn’t the fiery hell we often imagine (like Gehenna). Instead, it refers to Hades in Greek or Sheol in Hebrew—terms used for the realm of the dead.

In ancient Jewish belief, Sheol was thought to be the place where all souls—both good and bad—waited for final judgment. When Jesus descended there, it wasn’t a mission of torment. It was a mission of redemption, a declaration of victory, and a demonstration of His total power over death and the grave.

It was the ultimate act of triumph, proving that not even death could hold Him back.

Final Thoughts: A Mission of Redemption

Jesus’ descent into the realm of the dead is not just a theological concept—it’s a profound and life-changing truth. His journey to paradise in Sheol wasn’t about punishment or delay; it was a deliberate mission of redemption, victory, and love for humanity.

Through His death on the cross, His descent to proclaim freedom, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that no depth is too great for His power and grace. He entered the deepest places of death to proclaim life, to break the chains of captivity, and to open the way for eternal life with God.

Here’s the incredible truth: This victory wasn’t just for that moment in history—it’s for you.

• Death has no power over you because Jesus has conquered it.
• Sin cannot condemn you because He paid the price.
• You are not abandoned in darkness because Jesus has overcome it.

The question now is: Are you walking in the victory He has already won for you?

Take heart in knowing that the same Jesus who descended into the depths for the righteous dead has also opened the door to abundant life and eternal hope for all who trust in Him. Whatever challenges you face today, remember—He has already gone before you, and He holds the keys to death, Hades, and ultimate freedom.

The victory is His. And because of His love, that victory is yours too.