Do scriptures say Jesus went to hell?

One of the most well-known sources for the claim that Jesus went to hell is the Apostles’ Creed, a statement of faith recited in many Christian denominations. The creed states, “He descended into hell,” immediately after affirming Jesus’ death and burial. However, the word “hell” in this context may not correspond to the modern understanding of a place of punishment, and its interpretation varies among Christian traditions.

Old Testament Background: Sheol and Hades

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term “Sheol” refers to the abode of the dead—a shadowy place where all souls went after death, both the righteous and the unrighteous. When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, “Sheol” became “Hades.” This concept is different from “Gehenna,” a term Jesus used to describe a place of final judgment and punishment. Therefore, when considering whether Jesus went to “hell,” it is important to distinguish between these terms.

Key New Testament Passages

Several New Testament passages are often cited in discussions about Jesus’ descent to the dead:

1 Peter 3:18-20

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago…” (NIV)This passage suggests that after His death, Jesus proclaimed something to “imprisoned spirits.” Scholars debate the meaning, with some arguing that Jesus proclaimed victory over fallen angels or the dead, while others see it as a metaphorical statement.

Ephesians 4:8-10

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. (What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?)” (NIV) Some interpret “descended to the lower, earthly regions” as referring to Jesus’ descent to the realm of the dead. Others believe it simply means Jesus came to earth.

Acts 2:27, 31

Quoting Psalm 16, Peter says of Jesus, “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead (Hades), nor will you let your holy one see decay.” This is taken to mean that Jesus’ soul went to Hades, but He was not left there, and His body did not undergo decay.

Interpretation and Theological Perspectives

Christian traditions differ on how to interpret these scriptures. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant churches affirm that Jesus descended to the dead—not as a punishment, but to proclaim victory and liberate the righteous who had died before His resurrection. This event is sometimes called the “Harrowing of Hell.” Others, particularly in modern evangelical circles, argue that the scriptural references are metaphorical or refer to Jesus’ experiences of death rather than a literal visit to hell.

Conclusion: What Do the Scriptures Really Say?

While scripture contains references that have been interpreted as Jesus descending into the realm of the dead, the Bible does not explicitly state that Jesus went to hell as it is commonly understood—a place of punishment for the wicked. Instead, the weight of biblical evidence points to Jesus entering the abode of the dead (Sheol or Hades) to fulfill prophecy and proclaim victory, not to suffer punishment.