Is it true that after the crucifixion of Jesus...?

Question

that He went to hell and then came back or something? Does it actually say that in the bible?

Answer 1

In the Old Testament, hell (or sheol in the Hebrew texts or hades in Greek texts) referred to "the place of the dead." This hell was for both the good and the bad, the just and the unjust. It was the nether world, a region of darkness. In the later writings of the Old Testament, a clear distinction is made between where the good resided in hell versus where the bad were, the two being separated by an impassable abyss. The section for the unjust was named Gehenna, where the souls would suffer eternal torment by fire.

Our Lord attested to this "land of the dead" understanding of hell: Recall the parable of Lazarus, the poor beggar, who sat at the gate of the rich man, traditionally called Dives (cf. Lk 16:19ff). Lazarus dies and is taken to the "land of the dead" (the original Greek text uses the word hades) and is comforted at the bosom of Abraham. Dives also dies and goes to the "land of the dead"; however, he finds eternal torment, being tortured in flames. Dives sees Lazarus and cries out to Abraham for relief. However, Abraham replies, "My child, remember that you were well off in your lifetime, while Lazarus was in misery. Now he has found consolation here, but you have found torment. And that is not all. Between you and us there is fixed a great abyss, so that those who might wish to cross from here to you cannot do so, nor can anyone cross from your side to us."

Our Lord also emphasized the "eternal punishment" of hell: When Jesus spoke of the coming last judgment and the separating of the righteous from the evil, he will say to the latter, "Out of my sight you condemned, into that everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (cf. Mt 25:31ff). Jesus also spoke of "risking the fires of Gehenna" for serious sins, like anger and hatred (Mt 5:21ff), and adultery and impurity (Mt 5:27ff).

Given this understanding, we believe that the sin of Adam and Eve had closed the Gates of Heaven. The holy souls awaited the Redeemer in the land of the dead, or hell. Our Lord offered the perfect sacrifice for all sin by dying on the cross, the redemptive act that touches all people of every time — past, present and future. He was then buried. During that time, He descended among the dead: His soul, separated from His body, joined the holy souls awaiting the Savior in the Land of the Dead. Remember St. Paul wrote, "'He ascended' — what does this mean but that He had first descended into the lower regions of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended high above the heavens, that He might fill all men with His gifts" (Eph 4:9-10). His descent among the dead brought to completion the proclamation of the Gospel and liberated those holy souls who had long awaited their Redeemer. The Gates of Heaven were now open, and these holy souls entered everlasting happiness enjoying the beatific vision. Please note Jesus did not deliver those souls damned to eternal punishment in hell nor did He destroy hell as such; they remained in that state and place of damnation begun at the time of their particular judgment.

Answer 2

This is what the Holy Spirit who we talk to said: After Jesus died on the cross, He went to the place called Limbo where holy people, like Abraham, Jacob, etc. were placed. He took these holy people from Limbo and opened the gate of Heaven and allowed them in. Then Jesus destroyed Limbo which ceased to exist anymore. Then Jesus resurrected after being in the tomb for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40).

This confirms what the Holy Bible says, to wit (Matthew 27:52-53, King James Version): “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”

Who were the saints who were sleeping? They were the holy people, like Abraham, Jacob, etc. Where were they? They were sleeping in their graves. During the three days that Jesus was in the tomb, He took these people and allowed them in to the holy city, which is called the New Jerusalem or Heaven.

This also confirms about Abraham, the rich man and the beggar named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom (Heaven) whereas the rich man went to Hell.

Answer 3

It does not say that in the Bible but the idea is that he was AWOL for 3 days between the crucifixion and the resurrection. One (legendary) view, I believe, is that he descended into the Netherworld during this time to teach and redeem souls held captive there (because folks couldn't achieve salvation and go to heaven until he showed up).

Answer 4

Jesus went to Paradise which was back then located in the uppermost regions of hell. You can tell that because He said to the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." However, we know that a battle took place between HIm and the devil in which Jesus recovered the keys of death and hell, but it doesn't say where in hell this battle took place. Jesus rose three days after He was crucified.

Answer 5

The main reason you are getting so many contradictory answers here is that "hell" is a word unknown to the New Testament authors, and different sects have different beliefs in the matter.

What scripture *does* claim is that Jesus preached to "the spirits in prison", presumably during his death, as reported accurately by jesussav... in his answer. Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean that he went to hell (the traditional abode of lost souls). However, whether or not this was "hell" as we think of it is a matter of interpretation and faith, not one specified in scripture.

Nevertheless, he did go the the "place of the dead" (whatever name you choose to give it), in which were imprisoned spirits from Noah's time, and preached to them.

So much for the "dead know nothing until resurrected" doctrine.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 6

Dear Friend,

When Jesus died, he was dead util, the father resurrected him. Hell is an invention of the modern church, and not a true christian teaching. Consider this, God said to Adam that if he ate from the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil he would surely Die. Now if adam went to hell and is forever tormented, surely he has eternal life, albeit a poor quality one.

The Bible teaches us thus:

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
and even the memory of them is forgotten.

The dead know nothing, the bible again and again refers to the dead as asleep.

1 Corinthians 11:30
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep

1 Thessalonians 4:13
[ The Coming of the Lord ] Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope

In addition, If we were judged straight after we die, why then does Christ return to judge us again after the resurrection?

The Bible teaches us that We die, we sleep, we rise and are either given into the Kingdom or into eternal destruction.

God Bless

Answer 7

No, he actually went to Hades / Pergatory, which is divided into two areas one is for the righteous, it is called paradise. The other side is for those who (to put it nicely) were not good people. The souls wait there for final judgement.

Excellent quote from Brian.

Answer 8

The bible clearly has no reference that our Lord Jesus Christ went to hell at any time. It does state he would have the sinner who redeemed himself to the Lord on the cross be with him in paradise. 40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Answer 9

no, that is a mistranslation. It actually says that he descended into the lower places. Many Christians believe this means he went to a place known as paradise where the Old Testament saints were being held until Jesus' sacrafice could also pay for their sins

Answer 10

Yes,Jesus descended into Hell to preach the Good News to those who died before His Resurrection.