Did Jesus Go to Hell Between His Death and Resurrection?

Sep 30

One of the most puzzling statements in Christian tradition comes from the Apostles’ Creed: Jesus “was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell.” This phrase has raised questions for centuries. Did Jesus truly go to hell? And if so, what happened between His death and resurrection?

The Bible speaks of the grave as Sheol (Old Testament) or Hades (New Testament)—a place of the dead. After the cross, the New Testament suggests Jesus went to this “lower place,” not to suffer but to proclaim victory and to free the saints of old. With His death and resurrection, heaven was opened to God’s people, and Sheol ceased to be the resting place of the righteous.

1. Understanding the Apostles’ Creed and the Word “Hell”

The Apostles’ Creed uses the phrase “descended into hell,” but this requires careful interpretation.

Greek term: The word in question is katotata, literally meaning “the lower places.” It does not carry the same meaning as Gehenna, the trash heap of fiery punishment, but simply describes the grave or underworld.
Sheol and Hades: In the Old Testament, Sheol refers to the place of the dead. In the New Testament, Hades carries the same meaning. Both describe a waiting place where the souls of the damned and the saints remain until resurrection or judgment. Yet, David knew that the Lord would not abandon his soul to Sheol (Psalm 16:10).
Shift in meaning: Over time, “hell” became the common understanding for Sheol/Hades, perhaps mistakenly, though in modern English it carries the narrower sense of the place of the damned.

Therefore, when the Creed says Jesus descended into “hell,” it does not mean He went to Gehenna to suffer punishment, but rather that He entered death and the ‘lower’ region of the dead.

2. Jesus’ Death and the Events at the Cross

The Gospels describe several remarkable events at the moment of Jesus’ death:

Darkness over the land (Matthew 27:45): A sign of God’s judgment, but also of heaven’s veil being drawn.
The temple curtain torn (Matthew 27:51): Symbolizing direct access to God now opened by Jesus’ sacrifice.
The saints raised (Matthew 27:52–53): Tombs were opened, and many saints who had fallen asleep were raised and appeared to many.

These signs point to a cosmic change: through His death, Jesus opened the way to heaven, and the saints of old were freed from Sheol. Death could no longer hold those who belong to God.

3. Jesus’ Proclamation to the Spirits in Prison

The most direct biblical reference to what Jesus did after death is found in 1 Peter 3:18–20:

Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God.
He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
In this state, He proclaimed to the spirits in prison, who had long been disobedient.

This passage suggests that Jesus entered the realm of the dead and proclaimed victory. He did not descend to hell to be punished, but to announce His triumph over sin, death, and the devil. This proclamation also carried a liberating effect: the captives—understood by many as the faithful saints of the Old Testament—were set free to enter heaven.

4. Sheol Before and After the Resurrection

Before Christ’s resurrection:

Sheol/Hades was seen as a holding place for both the righteous and the unrighteous (cf. Luke 16:19–31, Lazarus in “Abraham’s bosom” and the rich man in torment).
The righteous waited for God’s final redemption.

After Christ’s resurrection:

The righteous no longer remain in Sheol. Paul declares that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).
Sheol becomes the waiting place of the damned, those awaiting final judgment (Revelation 20:13–14), i.e., hell.

Thus, Jesus’ descent marks a turning point in redemptive history: He emptied Sheol of the saints and opened heaven as their eternal home.

5. Why This Matters for the Gospel

This question is not just about what happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday—it touches the heart of the Gospel.

Jesus truly died: His descent into Sheol confirms He experienced the full reality of death on our behalf (Hebrews 2:9).
Jesus truly triumphed: His proclamation in the “lower places” declares His victory over sin, Satan, and death itself (Colossians 2:15).
Jesus truly opened heaven: Because of His death and resurrection, believers no longer fear the grave. At death, they enter immediately into the presence of Christ, awaiting the resurrection of the body and the new creation (Revelation 21:1–5).

In this sense, the descent of Christ is part of the “good news”: He conquered death for His people and transformed Sheol into a place of judgment rather than hope.

Conclusion

So, did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection? Not exactly. He did not descend to the place of the damned to suffer further punishment. According to the Creed and the witness of Scripture, He went to the grave—the “lower place”—to proclaim His victory and to free the saints of old.

When Jesus died, the heavens were opened, the saints rose, and the way to eternal life was secured. Now, those who die in Christ enter immediately into His presence, awaiting the day when His eternal kingdom is revealed in fullness.

Bible verses about Jesus’s Descent to “Hell”

Matthew 27:45 – “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.”
Matthew 27:51 – “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
Matthew 27:52–53 – “The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.”
Luke 23:43 – “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 16:22–23 – “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment…”
John 19:30 – “It is finished.”
1 Peter 3:18–20 – “He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison…”
2 Corinthians 5:8 – “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
Philippians 1:23 – “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”
Revelation 20:13–14 – “Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them… then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.”

Anthony Delgado https://anthonydelgado.net