Did Jesus go to hell?

There are many debates, interpretations and speculation on where Jesus was during the 3 days His body was in the grave. There are several passages that clue us in, (and even confuse us) on where He was. But truly, the information given in scripture is slim and scant. But I believe when we place all the pieces of the puzzle together, we can have a fairly good idea of what did or didn’t happen.

First. Let’s talk about hell. For us to understand where Jesus went, we must understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.

Hebrew scriptures, old testament = sheol. Which simply means place of the dead or departed souls.

The new testament greek equivalent = hades.

The NT indicated that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await final judgment.

Many people call both hades and the final resting place “hell” and this causes confusion.

Revelation 20:11-15.

NT teaches that hades/sheol is a realm with two divisions. One of temporary blessing, the other of temporary judgement.

Matt 11:23.

Psalm 16:10-11.

Luke 16:19-31.

When Jesus died He told the thief.. Luke 23:43.

Rev 21:1. 2 Peter 3:13.

Clearly Jesus went to the temporary paradise…

Another verse that brings confusion..

1 Peter 3:18-20.

3 things we know about these spirits

bodiless

imprisoned

their sin was committed before the flood.

2 Schools of thought

1. the spirits in prison are fallen angels or demons.

not all are imprisoned so this must be a special group..

Jude 1:6.

2 Peter 2:4.

Perhaps this is the sin of Genesis 6.. where they left their proper dwelling to sin with the daughters of man..

Perhaps God imprisoned them so that it discouraged this from happening any further and that’s why some demons are imprisoned and others are not.

1 Peter 3:19. Says that Jesus proclaimed, or publically declared to the spirits in prison. He would be declaring His victory.

If these are imprisoned demonic spirts or fallen angels, then Jesus would have went to the Abyss to proclaim their defeat and His victory.

Abyss simply means deep hole. This is not “hell”.

Interesting, in Luke 8 the demons that were cast in the pigs begged that they wouldn’t be cast into the abyss. Obviously a place they want to avoid..

Rev 20:1-3. Lowest part of Hades?

2. The spirits in prison are the human spirits of those who perished in Noah’s day.

three interpretations.

A) preaching figuratively in and through Noah while they were in the flesh

2 Peter 2:5.

B) Christ preached to them literally being present with Noah through the Holy Spirit who inspired him to proclaim the coming judgment

C) He did this physically in between His death and resurrection.

MY VIEW!

I think Jesus proclaimed victory over ALL WHO DISOBEYED BEFORE THE FLOOD, ALL WHO REJECTED GOD (MAN, NEPHILIM, SONS OF GOD (FALLEN ANGELS). HE PROCLAIMED BY HIS DEATH THAT HE IS THE VICTOR! He did not do this by going to hell and taking back keys. That is nowhere in scripture. We see He was in paradise after His death. Therefore i conclude it must have simply been proclaimed by His death and triumph on the cross!

SO WHAT ABOUT THE KEYS?

We may see something about Jesus proclaiming to spirits.. whatever your interpretation is there is NOTHING about Jesus going to hell to take back any keys.

Rev 1:18.

Jesus didn’t have to find satan for the keys because he never had them.

Since Jesus alone conquered death and came out of the grave, He alone determined who enters death and hades. He has all authority over death, and the place of the dead.

JESUS DEATH ON THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION WAS THE FINAL VICTORY. NO NEED TO FIGHT SATAN!

Col 2:15.

Rev 20:13-14.