Christ Decends into Hades

Lexham Survey of Theology Jesus’ Descent into Hell

The key text is 1 Peter 3:18–20: “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.” This is often coupled with 1 Peter 4:6: “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” Throughout history there have been variant interpretations proposed for these texts: some have understood these passages to mean that in his descent, Christ proclaimed salvation to the souls of the Old Testament saints, while others have taken them to refer to Christ’s preaching through Noah prior to the deluge.

Rather than elaborating on what the Lord was doing while in Hades, the overwhelming witness of Scripture is concerned with reiterating the idea that he truly descended to the dead (Ps 62:10; Acts 2:24–32; Heb 13:20; Eph 4:7–10; Rom 10:6–7) and was subsequently raised from the dead, thereby conquering death (2 Tim 1:10), removing its sting (1 Cor 15:55), and retaining possession of its keys (Rev 1:18). The doctrine serves to reinforce the true humanity and death of Christ, as well as his resurrection and the vindication of his ministry and divine nature.

1 Peter 3:18–20 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,”

1 Peter 4:6 “For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.”

Psalm 62:10 “Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.”

Acts 2:24–32 “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

Hebrews 13:20 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,”

Ephesians 4:7–10 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)”

Romans 10:6–7 “But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

2 Timothy 1:10 “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

1 Corinthians 15:55 ““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?””

Revelation 1:18 “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

John 19:30 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Ephesians 4:8–9 “This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?”

Systematic Theology § 5. His Death and Burial

This is the precise sense ascribed to the passage by St. Peter in Acts 2:27–31, and by St. Paul in Acts 13:34, 35. In both cases the Psalm is quoted to prove the resurrection of Christ. David was left in the state of the dead; his body did see corruption. Christ was delivered from the grave before corruption had time to affect his sacred person

Systematic Theology § 5. His Death and Burial

My soul (נַפְשִׁי), may be taken here, as so often elsewhere, for the personal pronoun, as in the passage quoted above. Psalm 30:3: “Thou hast brought up my soul (me) from the grave.” See Psalm 3:2, “Many there be which say of my soul (me), there is no help for him in God.” Psalm 7:3, “Lest he tear my soul (me) like a lion.” Psalm 11:1, “How say ye to my soul (to me) Flee as a bird to your mountain.” Psalm 35:7, “A pit which without cause they have digged for my soul (for me).” But even if the words “my soul” be taken in their strict sense, the meaning is still the same. The souls of men at death pass into the invisible world, they are hidden from the view and companionship of men. This condition was to continue in the case of Christ only for a few days. He was to be recalled to life. His soul was to be reunited to his body, as it was before.

Systematic Theology § 5. His Death and Burial

A second passage relied upon in this matter is Ephesians 4:9, “Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” By “the lower parts of the earth” many understand the parts lower than the earth; the lower, or infernal regions. But in the first place, this is altogether an unnecessary interpretation. The words may naturally mean here, as elsewhere, the lower parts, namely, the earth; the genitive τῆς τῆς being the genitive of opposition. See Isaiah 44:23, “Sing, O ye heavens; … shout, ye lower parts the earth.” In the second place, the context neither here nor in Psalm 68 whence the passage is taken, or on which the Apostle is commenting, suggests any other contrast than that between heaven and earth. ‘He that ascended to heaven, is he who first descended to the earth.’ In the third place, the Apostle’s object does not render either necessary or probable any reference to what happened after the death of Christ. He simply says that the Psalm (68) which speaks of the triumph of its subject must be understood of the Messiah because it speaks of an ascension to heaven, which implies a previous descent to the earth.

Systematic Theology § 5. His Death and Burial

Much less can 1 Timothy 3:16, where it said of God as manifest in the flesh that He was “seen of angels,” be understood of Christ appearing in the under-world in the presence of Satan and his angels. The word ἀγγέλοι, angels, without qualification, is never used of fallen angels. The Apostle refers to the evidence afforded of the divinity of Christ; He was justified by the Spirit, seen and recognized by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed upon in the world, and received up into glory. All classes of beings had been the witnesses of the fact that God was manifested in the flesh