It’s one of the big questions people ask after reading the Apostles’ Creed or passages like 1 Peter 3:18-20: did Jesus actually go to hell after He died?
The short answer is no—at least not in the way most people imagine hell today.
But the Bible does say He went somewhere between the cross and the resurrection, and understanding that makes the gospel even clearer.
Let’s break it down.
Where Did Jesus Go When He Died?
When Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), He wasn’t talking about the fiery hell of eternal punishment.
He was speaking of a place the Jews called Sheol (in Hebrew) or Hades (in Greek)—the “realm of the dead.”
Think of it like this: before the resurrection, people didn’t go directly to heaven or hell as we picture them (although that’s up to some debate as well).
Instead, the Bible points to Sheol/Hades as a temporary holding place.
Some passages describe it as having two parts—one for the righteous (paradise, “Abraham’s bosom”) and one for the unrighteous.
Jesus went to the side of the righteous.
Did Jesus Descend Into Hell?
Christians have said for centuries in the Apostles’ Creed: “He descended into hell.”
That line has confused a lot of people.
In the original context, it didn’t mean Jesus was tortured in the lake of fire.
It meant He truly died and went to the realm of the dead.
Early Christians wanted to stress that Jesus didn’t just “appear” to die.
He really entered death itself.
And by doing that, He broke the power of death from the inside out.
This moment is sometimes called the “harrowing of hell” or the “descent to the dead.”
Jesus Went to Hell Scripture References
So where do we get this from?
Here are the main passages:
- Acts 2:27 – Peter quotes Psalm 16 about Christ: “you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay.”
- 1 Peter 3:18-20 – talks about Jesus preaching to the “spirits in prison.”
- Ephesians 4:9 – says He “descended to the lower parts of the earth.”
- Luke 23:43 – Jesus tells the thief they’ll be in paradise that very day.
These verses don’t teach that Jesus was punished in hell.
Instead, they show that He entered death fully, went to the place of the dead, and came back victorious.
Did Jesus Preach to Souls in Hell?
This is where 1 Peter 3 comes in.
It says that after His death, Jesus “went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.”
Some think this means He gave the dead another chance to repent.
But the rest of Scripture doesn’t support that.
A better way to read it is that Jesus declared His victory over sin and death—even to the spiritual realm.
He wasn’t suffering there; He was announcing His triumph.
This is why Christians throughout history have asked: “What did Jesus do in hell for three days?”
The biblical picture isn’t one of suffering—it’s one of victory declared between Good Friday and Easter morning.
Paradise, Hades, and the Meaning of “Hell”
Here’s where things get messy: our English Bibles often use the word “hell” to translate very different terms.
| Term | Language | Meaning | How it Applies to Jesus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheol | Hebrew | The grave, the place of the dead | Jesus entered Sheol when He truly died |
| Hades | Greek | Same as Sheol, the unseen realm of the dead | Acts 2:27 says Jesus’ soul was not abandoned there |
| Gehenna | Greek | The place of final punishment, eternal fire | Jesus did not go to Gehenna |
| Paradise | Greek | The resting place of the righteous dead | Jesus promised the thief they’d be here together |
When the creed says “He descended into hell,” it’s really talking about Sheol/Hades—the realm of the dead—not Gehenna.
Jesus went to the grave, to the place of the dead, but not to the place of eternal torment.
What This Means for Christians Today
Here’s the good news: Jesus entered death and walked out the other side.
He didn’t just brush up against suffering—He went all the way into the grave so we don’t have to fear it anymore.
Because of His descent, death is no longer a prison for those who trust in Him.
Paradise is now open.
Heaven is no longer closed off.
That’s why Paul could say, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Final Thoughts
So, did Jesus go to hell?
Not in the way most people imagine.
He went to the place of the dead, proclaimed His victory, and came back alive.
That’s why His resurrection isn’t just a miracle—it’s the guarantee that death itself has lost its power.
If you’re wondering what happens when you die, the answer isn’t in speculation.
It’s in Jesus, the One who went there and came back to tell the story.
FAQ
Did Jesus go to paradise or hell?
He went to paradise, the righteous side of Sheol/Hades, not to Gehenna—the hell of eternal punishment.
Where was Jesus between death and resurrection?
He was in the realm of the dead (Sheol/Hades), in paradise, before rising on the third day.
What does “He descended into hell” mean?
It means He fully entered death—the realm of the dead—not that He was punished in Gehenna.
Did Jesus preach to people in hell?
He proclaimed His victory to the spiritual realm but Scripture doesn’t say He offered second chances.
Where in the Bible does it say Jesus went to hell?
Key passages are Acts 2:27, 1 Peter 3:18-20, and Ephesians 4:9. These describe His descent to the realm of the dead.
Why did Jesus go to hell?
He went to the place of the dead to show He truly died, to proclaim victory, and to open the way to eternal life.
Did Jesus go to hell or heaven first?
He first went to paradise, the realm of the righteous dead, and after the resurrection He ascended to heaven.
Did Jesus go to hell and fight the devil?
The Bible doesn’t describe Jesus fighting Satan in hell. Instead, the cross and resurrection were His victory over the devil.