Christ In Hell Three Days?

Here we consider the idea and doctrine of Christ’s descent into Hell for those three days, while his body was in the tomb between his crucifixion and resurrection. This is an historical Christian teaching, noted by the Apostles Creed and taught by many other creeds and individuals. Is it Biblical and if so, what does it mean? The scriptures will tell us what we need to know.

First we look at the scriptures below. These are the scriptures many use to make or break this historical teaching. Some of these verses may have nothing to do with it whatsoever, I only include them so they are here to be considered weather they support, refute or have nothing to do with the subject at hand.

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” - Acts 2:23-39 (also see Psalm 16:10)

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” - Peter 3:18-21 (Also 1 Peter 4:5-6, and Ephesians 4:8-10.)

“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” - Hebrews 9:26-27

These portions of scripture have been interpreted so many different ways. I am not going to even mention most of them. Some have said that Christ preached the gospel to those in Hell. They say he gave them another chance to repent. This is a dangerous unscriptural Lie. We know this is false for two reasons. First, we know from Hebrews 9:27 above (and from many other scriptures) that judgment comes after our time in this life in the flesh. When we die the time is past for repentance and accepting Jesus Christ. This “second chance” teaching is akin to the false teaching of Universalism (that all men will eventually be saved), which undermines the entire Gospel message and denies scripture.

Now here someone might argue “but those who lived and died before Christ never knew the Gospel, so they could not be saved until Christ preached it to them.”

The argument in the Paragraph above is not true for many reasons. Christ is the author of Salvation (Hebrews 5:9, 12:2). Christ was from the beginning (John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-3, Genesis 1:26) Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus Christ did not “become” the way, the truth, and the life, he Always Was, Is, and Forever Will Be the way, the truth, and the life. Notice Romans 3:21-31 especially verse 25. The prophets knew long before Christ’s Death and Resurrection that they would come to pass, and that through Christ our Saviour Salvation would be manifested. They looked forward by faith to the future coming of the messiah and trusted him to be their Saviour. See Acts 3:18-24, Deuteronomy 18:15-19, John 1:45, Genesis 49:10. Notice in Revelation 13:8 that “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” It was in the plan of God from the very beginning that Christ was to die for the elects sake; that through Christ’s death the wrath of God upon all men who accept Christ as Lord and Saviour might be assuaged. Seeing that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:18, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:18-20, also see Luke 24:25-27). Also see these related posts Gospel, Repentance, They Should Have Known and Works? Faith? Repentance? Old testament Salvation?

Based on the verses in Acts 2:21-31, I believe it is clear that Christ did go to Hell before he was resurrected. Perhaps he went there to better taste death for us (Hebrews 2:9), and as part of the requirement of appeasing God’s wrath, that we may be forgiven. Perhaps Christ had to experience the Hell that was for us to fully take the punishment that would have been for us, in order that we may be free from it as we place our faith in him. More specifically, as Christ became sin for us on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2) he was forsaken by God (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Psalm 22:1), since God is too holy to look upon such great sin (Habakkuk 1:13). So then the reason for his going to Hell was the result of being momentarily forsaken of God (Isaiah 53:10). But one thing is clear, the shedding of his blood is what has made the remission of our sins possible (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:22-28).

Whether or not Christ preached the Gospel there is another question. If he did it was not done in any sense which would allow those dead to be converted. Rather it was done (as a testimony against them) in the sense of Christ merely allowing them to be witnesses of the salvation available through him, which they no longer had any hope of receiving because of their past rejection of God and righteousness.

Now there is someone who may point out Luke 23:43 and claim that Christ could not have gone to Hell because he said to that one malefactor “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This is really no problem at all seeing that Christ is God and capable of being in more than one place at one time. Also, time itself is not really a factor. Time in the sight of God is much different than the way we view time (Psalm 90:4, 2 Peter 3:8). We cannot really understand this or many other things, but there are things we are not to know and this should not trouble us. For we walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

So, yes Christ did descend to Hell, what exactly this means, and what exactly he did there is (in my mind) not possible to fully understand. But we are ensured of many things, three of which are mentioned below.

1. After we die it is too late to repent and accept Christ.

2. If we are saved and endure to the finish we can be sure that we shall immediately be present with the Lord upon the death of our earthly body.

3. The shedding of the blood of Christ is what has made the remission of our sins possible.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. - 1 Timothy 4:16

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. - 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2


For more information on Christ’s descent into Hell I would refer the reader to Calvin’s Institutes Book 2 chapter 16, sections 8-12, and also to Matthew Poole’s Commentary.

Perhaps the video below explains this well, it also relates to
1 Corinthians 5:7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzzq4WXTLRU

The Forbidden E-word: The Abominable Association

Well here it is... that time of year when ignorant and stubborn men disobey Almighty God by calling the Good News by the name of a pagan goddess.

It is against Biblical teaching to call the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection Easter. Easter is the name of a pagan goddess.

Associating pagan gods with the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ is an abomination in the sight of God.

It is to the devils delight that men label the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection as Easter.

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. - Exodus 23:13

Those who celebrate Easter and its pagan aspects such as eggs and bunnies should consider the verse below, and how they are guilty of following the way of the heathen.

And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you. - Ezekiel 11:12

Deuteronomy 12:1-32 also has much say on this matter.

If my attack on the man made tradition of Easter offends you, consider the following words of Christ.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men - See Mark 7:8

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? - See Matthew 15:3

When men keep a holiday named Easter they transgress God’s commandments. This includes the transgressing of the first of the Ten Commandments. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3

It is a blatant blaspheme “Christian” churches partake in when they put the “Easter” label on and over everything as they commonly do in this season.

Those who claim that praising God is always right even when associating him with false gods are blind. You cannot Glorify God while you disobey Him. Below we see an example of the condemnation upon those who first tried to do this under the Old Covenant.

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. - Isaiah 66:1-6 (Also see Isaiah chapter 1, the rest of Isaiah chapter 66, and Amos chapter 5).

I will plainly say what these words of the prophets have to do with the celebration named Easter. These scriptures in Isaiah and Amos are about false worship. Worship which obviously did not please God, and worship which brought His wrath. Such is all worship done in disobedience.

Will we do the same thing being now under a better covenant? (Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 12:24) Has the law of God not been written on our heart?

We are to remember Christ's Resurrection always, and rejoice in what God through his Son has done for us.

There is scripture condemning the utterance of the names of false gods. There is scripture condemning the way of the heathen. There is scripture condemning the mixing of paganism with Christianity. If you cannot see these things than Woe unto you who know not the scriptures, who know not the word of God!



For more information see the links below.

What Does the Scripture Say ?

The Pagan Origin Of Easter

Easter: It's Totally Pagan too!

The nonexistent, evil chick called Easter

Is Easter in the Bible?

The Righteous Witness Lifted Up

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” - John 18:37

“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” - Proverbs 14:25

Christ is a true witness because he delivereth souls.

“An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.” - Proverbs 19:28

Christ is a godly witness because he warns of judgment.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” - Revelation 1:5

Jesus Christ is a godly witness, a true witness, and a faithful witness. But he is not only godly, he is God. He is not only true, he is the Truth. He is not only faithful, he is the one we have Faith in. (John 14:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 3:17, Philippians 3:9, Colossians 2:5, 2 Timothy 3:15, John 5:31-40, John 8:18, John 10:25, John 15:26-27)

What was Christ a witness for? What did he bear witness of?

He bore witness of the truth. As Pilate said in John 18:38 “What is truth?

Truth could be defined in many ways, but truth is what Christ taught. If we continue in His word, that is, in his teachings, we will be his disciples, knowing the truth and being made free.

“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:28-32

Jesus said unto Nicodemus “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” - John 3:4-7

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? - John 3:11-12

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” - John 3:14-21

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” - John 3:36

What does it mean that the Son of man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness? Moses lifted up the serpent of brass and all who looked on it were saved from death, the death that was to come upon them because of their sin in speaking against God and his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31, Joshua 11:15)

“And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” -Numbers 21:5-9

Just as the rebellious Israelites repented and looked to the brass serpent for life, so all men today repent and look to Jesus Christ for life. But many do not turn from their rebellion to look for life, but remain in condemnation by loving sin and darkness. And those who do not turn from wickedness to seek Christ? Look! They are tormented by that fiery serpent Satan!

See how the Israelites repented? They said to Moses “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” And Moses prayed for the people.

See how men today repent? They pray unto God “We are lost, for we believed not on your Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent to justify us by his death on the cross, when he took the punishment for our sins.” And Christ interceded for the repentant sinner. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25-27, Isaiah 53:12)

But the men repenting today do not end their prayers there. They continue to pray telling God that they believe, taking hold on the promises in his word. They look to Christ Jesus and his teachings; they look to follow him with all that they are.

The Son of Man, Jesus Christ was lifted up in many ways. Primarily he was lifted up on the Cross when he died for us that we might have life, and have life abundantly. (John 10:10, John 8:28)

Even today the Cross is often regarded as a symbol of salvation; much like the serpent of brass was regarded as a symbol of salvation. The difference being that the serpent was looked to for salvation of the flesh, whereas the cross is looked to as a symbol of eternal salvation.

Now later the Israelites made an idol out of the brass serpent as we see in 2 Kings 18:4. When Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign he destroyed the brass serpent because it had become an idol unto the Israelites (2 Kings 18:1-7). Why did Hezekiah destroy that idol of brass? Because “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.” - 2 Kings 18:5-6

“He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. (2 Kings 18:4)

Also today many make an idol out of the cross, displaying it predominately, and worshipping it rather than God and the salvation it represents. You know this is true because of the ungodly who wear it on a chain about their neck. There really can be no Christian symbol, only to some it may seem that way.

How else was Christ lifted up?

He was raised from the dead. Our faith is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Christ spoke the truth when he said he would rise again (Luke 18:33. Mark 10:34, Acts 2:32), when he said he lays down his life that he may take it up again (John 10:17).

He was also lifted up as he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:2-11).

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:9-11

Christ the righteous witness and true, was lifted up that we may look to him for life, for life everlasting.



“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” - Psalm 119:160

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” - Psalm 119:162

See the Hymn "How Great Thou Art"