Did Jesus Go to Hell Between His Death and Resurrection? This is one of the most common questions Christians ask, and the answer may surprise you. Many people feel confused because they hear different things in church, in sermons, or from the Apostles’ Creed which says, “He descended into hell.” Others read different Bible translations and wonder what really happened during those three days when Jesus’ body was in the tomb.
So let’s keep it very simple and clear. The Bible never says Jesus went to a place of fire, punishment, or eternal suffering. Instead, it teaches that Jesus’ body rested in the grave, and His soul went to sheol/hades, the “place of the dead,” specifically the peaceful and blessed side that Jesus Himself called “paradise.” That’s why He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
In this blog, we will look at the short answer first, then we will explore the Scriptures, break down the confusing terms, and understand what Jesus actually did during those three days explained in simple words anyone can understand.
What Do the Words “Sheol,” “Hades,” and “Hell” Mean?
Hebrew: Sheol — Literal Meaning & Old Testament Usage
In the Old Testament, the word sheol simply means “the place of the dead.” It was not a place of fire or punishment. It was the place where every person’s soul went after dying. Some went to a peaceful side, and others went to a place of waiting for judgment. The Bible uses sheol to describe this whole unseen world, not eternal torment.
Greek: Hades — New Testament Use & Difference From the Lake of Fire
In the New Testament, the word hades is the Greek version of sheol. It also means “the place of the dead.” Hades is temporary. The Bible clearly shows that hades is different from the “lake of fire,” which is the final place of judgment. The lake of fire is the eternal place of punishment, but hades is only a holding place until the final resurrection.
Modern “Hell” vs. Biblical Sheol/Hades — Why Translation Causes Confusion
Most people today hear “hell” and think of fire, demons, and eternal punishment. But the Bible’s words sheol and hades do not mean that. Many older Bible translations, like KJV, sometimes used “hell” even when the original text said sheol or hades. This created confusion. Jesus did not go to the place of torment. He went to the peaceful side of sheol/hades, which He called “paradise.”
Key Bible Passages People Cite
Luke 23:43 — “Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise”
When Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross, He said, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” This makes it very clear that Jesus did not go to a place of suffering. Instead, He went to the blessed side of the place of the dead. Jesus and the repentant thief entered the peaceful, joyful place the Bible calls “paradise.”
Psalm 16:10 / Acts 2:27 — Translation Notes (KJV “hell” vs. grave/sheol)
Psalm 16:10 says God “will not leave His soul in sheol.” But some translations, like the KJV, use the word “hell” here. This can sound confusing. The correct meaning is “the grave” or sheol, not the place of burning. In Acts 2, Peter explains that this verse points to Jesus. His body did not decay, and His soul was not left in the realm of the dead. These verses do not mean Jesus went to a place of torment.
1 Peter 3:18–20 & Ephesians 4:8–10 — Different Interpretations
These passages are sometimes used to claim Jesus preached in hell. But Christians have different views on what they mean:
- Some believe Jesus announced His victory to the spirits in prison.
- Some believe Peter is talking about the days of Noah, not Jesus’ time in the grave.
- Some think Ephesians 4 describes Jesus rising to heaven, not going to a place of fire.
All views agree on one thing: Jesus did not suffer after death. His suffering ended on the cross when He said, “It is finished.”
Did Jesus Go to the “Torment” Side of Hades (the Popular Idea of Hell)?
Many people think Jesus went to the burning, painful part of hell after He died. But the Bible does not teach this. The confusion mostly comes from the Apostles’ Creed, which says, “He descended into hell.” When this line was first written, the word “hell” did not mean a place of fire. It meant the realm of the dead sheol or hades.
Different Christian traditions explain this line in different ways, but all agree on one key point:
Jesus did not go to the place of torment. His suffering ended on the cross.
Catholic View
The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus went to the “abode of the dead,” but not to the place of punishment. He went to the righteous souls who died before Him and opened the way to heaven for them. He did not suffer there.
Eastern Orthodox View
The Orthodox Church teaches that Jesus entered hades as a conqueror. He broke the power of death and freed those who were waiting for salvation. Again, this was not the place of fire or torment.
Protestant View
Most Protestant groups teach that Jesus’ soul went to the blessed side of hades—the same place He called “paradise” when speaking to the thief on the cross. They believe He did not go to any place of fire, punishment, or suffering.
Across all traditions, the message is the same:
- Jesus did not go to the torment side of hades.
- Jesus’ suffering fully ended when He said, “It is finished.”
What Is the Harrowing of Hell? (Catholic / Traditional View)
The phrase “Harrowing of Hell” is a traditional Christian belief, especially in the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It describes what Jesus did between His death and resurrection. The teaching says Jesus went to the place of the dead not the fiery part and set the righteous free, the people who waited for God’s promise before Jesus came.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way:
“Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before Him.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 633
This means:
- Jesus did not go to a place of punishment.
- Jesus did not suffer after His crucifixion.
- Jesus entered the peaceful side of the realm of the dead.
- He brought hope, freedom, and victory to the faithful who had been waiting.
This moment is called the “Harrowing of Hell” because Jesus entered the realm of death as a champion, breaking its power and opening heaven for God’s people.
Popular Protestant / Evangelical View (What Many Modern Articles Say)
Most Protestant and Evangelical teachers explain the three days in a very simple way. They say Jesus went to the blessed side of the place of the dead, often called “Abraham’s bosom” or “paradise.” This matches Jesus’ own words to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
They also point to the words “It is finished.” This means Jesus’ suffering ended at the cross. He did not need to go to a place of torment later. Salvation was complete the moment He died.
So, Where Was Jesus During the Three Days? Practical Summary
Simple Timeline (Easy to Follow)
- Crucifixion: Jesus dies on the cross.
- His body: Placed in the tomb.
- His soul: Goes to the blessed side of sheol/hades (paradise).
- No torment: His suffering ended at the cross.
- Resurrection: On the third day, Jesus rises with a glorified body.
- Ascension: Later, He returns to the Father in heaven.
This is the most balanced and Bible-based summary accepted by most Christians today.
Why This Matters — Theological & Pastoral Significance?
- It gives assurance that believers who die in Christ also enter a place of peace with Him.
- It clears confusion caused by old translations that used “hell” in different ways.
- It brings comfort, knowing Jesus truly defeated death and opened the way to eternal life.
- It helps Christians understand that salvation was fully paid at the cross nothing was “unfinished.”
Conclusion
The Bible never teaches that Jesus suffered again after He died. His work was fully complete on the cross. During the three days, His body rested in the tomb, and His soul was in sheol/hades on the blessed side, the place He called “paradise.” When the Apostles’ Creed says “He descended into hell,” it refers to His descent to the realm of the dead, not a place of fire or torment. This truth gives us peace, hope, and confidence in His finished work.
If you have questions or need clarity, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
FAQs: About Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?
Q. Did Jesus go into hell when He died?
No, Jesus did not enter a place of fire or torment. He went to the blessed side of sheol/hades, which He called paradise.
Q. Where did Jesus go between His death and resurrection?
His body was in the tomb, and His soul was in the peaceful side of the realm of the dead until He rose on the third day.
Q. Did Jesus go to hell to get the keys?
No. The “keys of death and hades” show His authority after the resurrection, not a trip to a fiery hell.
Q. Did Jesus ever say “go to hell”?
No. Jesus never used this phrase. His teachings focused on warning, love, and calling people to repentance.
For a deeper look at the hope and victory that came through Christ’s rising on the third day, you can also read our heartfelt resurrection prayers that celebrate His power over death.