Did Jesus Go to Hell?

Just wondering your thoughts on this...

What makes you ask the question?

Well considering that almost everything Jesus said on the cross contradicts that:

"Today you will be with me in paradise"

"Father into thy hands I commit my spirit"

"It is finished"

You have to say 'no'. The work of salvation was finished on the cross.. he did not have to suffer in Hell, but He did suffer the torments of Hell on the cross ("Father, why have you forsaken me") .. so in that sense He did suffer it while on the cross, since the essence of Hell is separation from God... although Hell is actually also a real place.

I agree with Bob. I just wanted to say that I don't think Hell is the absence of God. God is omnipresent. I think in hell you are forever present with God who is pouring out His just wrath. God Bless and peace

Krispy is right, Jesus did not suffer or need to suffer in hell. Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison (hell) after His death.

1 Peter 3:18-21
18For 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:

19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20Which 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.

I'd have to disagree. How can Jesus have preached to people in Hell if He was in paradise? He specifically told the thief he would be there. We should interpret hard to understand scripture with easy to understand scripture...

If you look at the context of the passage it is talking about the Holy Spirit... (v 18) 'BY WHICH ALSO ....'
'By which' implies that he preached to them BY His Holy Spirit.

And really it isn't talking about the people now in Hell, but what this verse means is that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the people in the time of Noah.. God was longsuffering and gave them a chance but they disobeyed despite the calling of the Spirit and so they were destroyed by the flood except for the eight who were saved by water

water is a type of the Holy Spirit, and our lesson here is not to reject Him

In fact he went and preached in hades.

The way I understand things, Jesus did not go into hell to spend any amount of time there other than to claim His victory over death, hell and the grave. I dont know the chronology of when He did all this, just that it was done.

May be it was just after the resurrection that Jesus went and preached the good knews to the spirits in preson. There is no contradiction after he died on the cross his spirit returned to the Father so only his body was lifeless for 3 days on the grave and then he came back to conquer death and after the body resurrection he made a triumphant entre in hell (hades) as Lord before ascended in heaven (bodily)to sit at the right hand of the Father.

I could be wrong on this, but I always understood scripture to say that once Jesus died He went in spirit to Sheol to bring the Old Testament saints souls to heaven with Him. Once we in the new covenant die our souls immediately are in the presence of the Lord.

Regardless, please don't think that I believe that Jesus went to hell to suffer for us. Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross and His resurrection was to give us life.

What about in Heb 2 where it says that he tasted death for every man....this must mean not only death of the physical but of the spiritual as well. That way the punishment could be satisfied.

Help me to understand your perspective.

Let me see if I understand you correctly,

Christian man lives.
Christian man dies.
Body stays asleep.
Spirit man is immediately judged upon his physical death.
Spirit man goes to be with the Jesus in Heaven.
Jesus returns to Earth for His church.
Dead Christian man is reunited with his spirit man from heaven.
All Christians are gathered, living and dead, to live with Jesus for eternity.

What about in Heb 2 where it says that he tasted death for every man....this must mean not only death of the physical but of the spiritual as well. That way the punishment could be satisfied.

How could Jesus die in spirit that's an impossibility even sinners dont die in spirit/soul after there physical death they go to hades and they are conscience of themself waiting in their "prision cells" the day of judgment, the only total death (soul/body) they will experience (called the second death) is after the day of jusdgment to the lake of fire but it will be a "death" where they'll be fully aware of (gnashing of teeth).

Every man dies phisically but not in spirit/soul so in that sense Jesus tested death for everyman by his physical death.

Ha Ha...no no.

Just in your last statement.

Is anything I said not true concerning your current understanding of the statements I typed?

If the punishment for sin is just our physical death...then Christ didn't rescue us by His death on the cross...because Christians die the physical death every day.

He did something more...he paid the ultimate sacrifice... the ultimate death...eternal separation from God.

But....death could not contain Him and he was victorious over it.

He did something more...he paid the ultimate sacrifice... the ultimate death...eternal separation from God.

if you back it up with 1 or 2 Scripture verses i'll believe it.

There are 66 books that witness to this.

hi, this would mean that God stopped being God???? silly... jimp

hi,
Their is definite scripture to say he went to paradise(the thief on the cross),I heard a preacher say that "The preaching to the spirits verses doesnt mean he went to hell and preached to spirits in prison but that its a simple misconception.The disobedient people of Noah's time were preached to through the Holy Spirit while alive but at the time of writing had become spirits in prison" and also Jesus said to Mary Magdelene if I recall correctly "touch me not for I have not yet ascended" as they were in the tomb;so he did not ascend to the Father til after his ressurection.
This is not to say that Jesus did not go to the bad side of hell but I'm not sure where the clear cut scripture is for that,maybe somebody has a verse on that,
rgds Staff

I do believe he went to Hell.For how long I don't know.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence,nor was any deciet in his mouth.
Yet it was the the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering,he will see his offspring and prolong his days,and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:9-10

For an indepth look on the subject have a listen to Paul Washers sermon " The meaning of the cross".

staff wrote:
hi,
Their is definite scripture to say he went to paradise(the thief on the cross),I heard a preacher say that "The preaching to the spirits verses doesnt mean he went to hell and preached to spirits in prison but that its a simple misconception.The disobedient people of Noah's time were preached to through the Holy Spirit while alive but at the time of writing had become spirits in prison" and also Jesus said to Mary Magdelene if I recall correctly "touch me not for I have not yet ascended" as they were in the tomb;so he did not ascend to the Father til after his ressurection.
This is not to say that Jesus did not go to the bad side of hell but I'm not sure where the clear cut scripture is for that,maybe somebody has a verse on that,
rgds Staff

The rabbinical scriptures describe Sheol as a place where the spirits of men go to wait for Judgement. Two portions are set aside for the wicked, and one portion for the not-wicked, apparently.

According to our Scriptures, when Jesus won the keys of Hell and Death, He spent the three days in the grave preaching to the spirits in Sheol, which would include Adam to Methusalah. However, since Christ spoke of 'this day you will be with me in paradise', on the cross, he was presumably preaching to the spirits in Paradise, which might include all those dead, but not-wicked, up to His own death, since some of the less-wicked Jews under the Law would be in Paradise also.

KJV Luke 23:38. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41. And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

This of course is mostly background, not scriptural, but interesting in understanding how the Jews looked at these matters. It also seems to be backed up by what Jesus said on the Cross, as well as what was said in 1st Peter.

KJV ist Peter 3 18. 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:
19. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20. 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.
21. 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:
22. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

1st Peter only denotes the not-wicked dead prior to the flood being preached to in Paradise, but if Jesus was going to be merciful to the thief, I am sure that the not-wicked up to His death would also have been preached to.

It may not be entirely scriptural, but it is within Jesus' tendency to compassion.

Blessings,

I am on the same line as JaySaved

I could be wrong on this, but I always understood scripture to say that once Jesus died He went in spirit to Sheol to bring the Old Testament saints souls to heaven with Him. Once we in the new covenant die our souls immediately are in the presence of the Lord.Regardless, please don't think that I believe that Jesus went to hell to suffer for us. Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross and His resurrection was to give us life.

Just as the wicked man could hear Abraham the wicked would hear Jesus when he came to tell and take the saints

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.
Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

I have to agree Jesus went to hell to preach and set the captives free. As we all know the old testament plays out in the natural (law) to point to the new testament of the spiritual (Spirit) to come. For interest read Zechariah 3 re Joshua standing filthy before God and satan accuses him before God but God accepts him and puts rich garments on him etc. etc. Surely this would have been a similar scene for Jesus too. By the way Joshua (Hebrew) and Jeshua (Hebrew) is Jesus in english. God bless and it was interesting reading everyone's comments.:-)

polo247uk wrote:
I am on the same line as JaySaved

I could be wrong on this, but I always understood scripture to say that once Jesus died He went in spirit to Sheol to bring the Old Testament saints souls to heaven with Him. Once we in the new covenant die our souls immediately are in the presence of the Lord.Regardless, please don't think that I believe that Jesus went to hell to suffer for us. Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross and His resurrection was to give us life.

Just as the wicked man could hear Abraham the wicked would hear Jesus when he came to tell and take the saints

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.
Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Please recall that the above is a parable told by Jesus, who had the knowledge of the Father directing Him at every point.

Where the rich man was, was in Hell as opposed to Sheol or Hades.

Sheol/Hades is an 'earth time holding tank' so to speak, for the spirits of the dead before judgement, whereas Jesus was speaking from the viewpoint of eternity, with all judgements already completed, and thus, would know what was going on from the eternal viewpoint.

From my understanding of the Rabbinical teachings, Sheol/Hades would match the place under the altar, in which the Martyrs wait, clamouring for justice.

KJV Revelation 6:9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Hell, from our viewpoint in time is not yet a reality.

Blessings,

If the punishment for sin is just our physical death...then Christ didn't rescue us by His death on the cross...because Christians die the physical death every day.

Hey DesiJr,

The problem that you are incurring is that you consider the physical death of Christians to be equal with the physical death of Christ.

Christ said concerning His flesh in John 6:54 (NIV) "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

What you must understand is that when we are born, we are born in a state of separation from God. We are just walking dust. We do not have within us eternal life. However, Jesus Christ was born of God. He was concieved by the Holy Spirit. In Christ was eternal life. John 1:4(NIV) "In him was life, and that life was the light of men."

The life within Christ is eternal life. He was not simply a man like you and I. Jesus Christ is God. His flesh was eternal life.

God is an eternal being. When a person sins against God, they have committed an eternal crime. Hence, this is why we goto Hell, a place of eternal punishment. We are sentenced to Hell for committing a crime of eternal proportions. This means our debt is also eternal proportions.

Your life, however, is not eternal. Fallen humans are just dust. From dust we came, and to dust we returned. And so, when we die, our death is not enough to pay an eternal death. It's like trying to pay off a billion dollars with a couple pennies.

However, Jesus Christ paid the eternal debt with His eternal life. The flesh of Christ held eternal life. Paul said He came in the likeness of sinful man. The key word is likeness. Christ was without sin. Though he looked like us, He was not the same. Our problem stems to back to the garden when we were separated from God. Jesus, however, had unity with the Father from birth through death.

His physical death, therefore, was enough to pay our eternal death. When Christ died, His eternal life was given as a ransom for our eternal debt. Therefore, when Christ died, the balance was zero. That is why Jesus said, "It is finished." In the moment Christ died, it was finished. Done.

Christ did not goto Hell.

In Christ,
Blake

I agree with you 100%.

Blake, you say at the end of your last post:
"His physical death, therefore, was enough to pay our eternal death. When Christ died, His eternal life was given as a ransom for our eternal debt."

I agree.

So since Christ being all man and all God died.....He then did experience the spiritual death as well as the physical death and did pay the ultimate penalty for our sin which was not just death of the flesh but death of the spirit. Which is Hell.

But Praise God...death could not contain Him and He was resurrected for our life.

I think where we differ is our different opinions on what eternal punishment is.

If you believe that Hell is eternal torture with fire then I would have to disagree and that is another matter all together. I believe Hell to be simply eternal separation from God. Which would be a totally different post.

If you believe that Hell is eternal torture with fire then I would have to disagree and that is another matter all together. I believe Hell to be simply eternal separation from God. Which would be a totally different post.

Hell is not simply a place of eternal separation. Death is separation from God. Hell is a place of torture. This becomes evident when Jesus encountered demons.

Matthew 8:29(NIV)
"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

In Christ,
Blake

I think we've just started a new post...

What is Hell?

Has this verse been mentioned yet?

Acts 2:30-32 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
[A Public Domain Bible] [KJV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]
30Therefore 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;
31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

What is Hell?

Are you sure you want to ask that question? LoL. The only way to know the answer for sure is to go there.

I'll give you a quick summation of what Hell is. Obviously, there are many different theories and viewpoints floating around about it. Personally, I cannot tell you about it in detail as I have never been there. I won't be going either. But to give you a quick definition:

Hell was originally created as a place of eternal torture for eternal beings, demons. These were angels, spirits of God, who fell from glory. God set aside a particular day or time when He would judge all the demons for their evil. We know this as the "Day of Judgment."

God's will is that no human being ever goto or enter Hell. This is important. This desire God has will never change. However, we all know that humanity will also be judged on the day of judgment. Why is that? What happened?

God's Will is that all human beings repent, become born again, and receive eternal life. God's Will is that humans repent, meaning that they willing choose to turn away from sin and turn to Jesus. This desire of God is that humans will choose to make Him their Lord and God; that they will willingly worship and love Him. As such, God will not force this upon any human. God will not force anyone to choose the "tree of life" who is Jesus Christ. It His Will that we choose, though He desires everyone to make this choice.

Of course, we are a slave to sin. However, because of the cross, we all may freely choose Christ as Savior. We may call out to Christ for salvation. So, though we are slaves to sin, through Christ we have the freedom to be redeemed. This is our freedom. We have the freedom to choose Christ. We do not, however, have the freedom to stop sinning. We never did. This is why we need Christ.

God's Will never changes. Forever, God will always desire the same thing. God desires our worship and love. He seeks it. He wants it. He wants to rule over us as a Father. However, God cannot force us to give Him our love.

As such, there will come a day when Jesus will judge all people. He will separate them according to those who did God's will and those who did not. It is really this simple: Did you believe in Jesus or not? That is what we all will be judge on.

Anyone who believed in Jesus and was born again is sinless. Anyone who has not, dies in their sin. Because of this, they will face judgment.

Indeed, they will be judged for all their sin. But the greatest sin they have committed is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This means that they claimed to be God or equal with God. By not believing in Jesus, people have basically said to God, "I don't need to be saved. There is nothing wrong me. I have no sin." Basically, they are telling God He is wrong and they are judging Him.

Because of this sin, the unforgivable sin, they will be sent to Hell. They have committed an eternal crime. They have tried to claim the throne of God for themselves. Instead of believing in Jesus and crowning Him as Lord and Savior, they have challenged God's authority.

If you remember, God's Will is that they repent and come to Christ. However, they have defied God's Will. Because of this, they are sent to Hell.

Hell is eternal because God will never change. Forever, God's wants them to be saved. However, they will eternal reject salvation. Because they eternally sin against God, they are eternally condemned.

Now...many people in our modern era say, "I don't believe Hell is a place of eternal torture because God is love. How could a loving God do that?"

Actually, that statement is nonsense. Because God is loving, Hell is torturous. Hell is a place where justice served. The demons and wicked are sent to Hell for justice. God requires justice, not for His sake as God needs nothing, but for our sake. God brings justice to His people. Hell is the place where justice is served for the sins committed against God and His people.

Some say, "Well then, why doesn't God just annihilate them? (meaning, why doesn't God just make them nonexistent)"

Because God is honoring humanity for our choice. We have been given the freedom to believe in whatever God we choose. We may choose which God to love. We may love ourselves, the Devil, or Jesus Christ. The choice is ours. God honors this choice through Hell.

Think of it this way, a murderer is standing before a judge in a courtroom. The murderer says, "You don't have to send me to prison. I mean, you could just let me go." The judge says, "But what about the victims whom you robbed. You stole their loved one. You owe a debt to them. You must pay or else I have to bring them justice."

On a last note, God doesn't send anyone to Hell. The person makes the choice. God is only the judge. The person, however, is accountable for their own choices.

It must be clear, however, that the choice a person makes is not a choice of physical action. It is a choice of spirit. Will you believe in Jesus or not? Will you crown Him Lord? Will you share in His death and resurrection?

This is the choice we make. We have the freedom to believe in whatever we want. However, we do not have the freedom to act however we want. This means our sin is a result of our lack of faith, not our actions.

I hope this helps,
In love,

Blake

that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

The word for "hell" here is the Greek word "Hades." This word does not always translate exactly into Hell. If you notice in other translations, it translates into the word "grave." Jesus Christ said himself that He would spend three days in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40)

The word "Hades" is often translated to Hell when it really should not be. For example, take this scripture: "Re 20:14 (KJ) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." How can Hell be thrown into Hell?

But then in Luke 16:23 (KJ) , it is quite clear Jesus is speaking of Hell. "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."

Obviously, the word "Hades" is not always translated "Hell." This depends upon the context. Sometimes, it is simply speaking of the place of the dead.

In verse 31, Luke is alluding to a passage of scripture from Psalms 16:10 that says (KJ) "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

The Hebrew word used here for "hell" is "sheol." Translating the word here as "hell" is misleading. The word "sheol" is far from the concept of Hell. The Hebrews didn't believe in a place of fiery torment as described and taught by Jesus. The idea of hell being a place of fiery torment was introduced by Jesus.

In this passage, it is important to note the second portion that says, "neither his flesh did see corruption." Thus, Luke was speaking of the flesh of Jesus. Is Hell a physical place or a spiritual place? The place of fiery torment as described by Jesus was a spiritual place as it is the place where demons go. Therefore, when Luke used the word "Hades" in the verse, He wasn't speaking of the place of fiery torment. He was saying that the body, the flesh of Jesus, was not left in the grave. Jesus was raised.

I think the confusion lies in a misunderstanding of Hell. No person has gone to Hell yet. Hell is the lake of fire where people are sent after the day of judgment. This day has not yet come. No person is yet in Hell.

However, until that day, the Jews believed in Sheol. This was a temporary holding place where people stayed until the day of judgment. Sheol was divided into two planes. There was the garden (Paradise) where the righteous go, and then there is another place where the unrighteous go. Not sure the name of the other place.

This seems to make sense when we consider the bible as a whole. Jesus said He was going to Paradise and was also taking the sinner next to Him. However, Jesus had not yet been raised to glory yet. As such, since Christ had not been raised, no one could enter Heaven. Therefore, Paradise was a temporary place until Christ was raised. Once raised, Christ was born again. None of His disciples recognized Him because He was raised to glory. He had the same body, but it was raised to glory. Then, after His resurrection, He ascended to Heaven. In Heaven, He is preparing a place for us. If people were already there, then how could He prepare a place for them? They obviously weren't there yet. They were waiting in the garden until the last day.

Likewise, our hope of resurrection lies with Christ. One day, we will be raised to new glory just as Jesus was raised. However, until that day, we are all asleep in Christ when we die in the flesh. We will goto the place of Paradise (the garden), until the day of judgment. On the day of judgment, we will be passed over (hence passover). We will not be judged. Instead, we will be raised to new life. We will reign forever with Christ in Heaven.

However, others will be raised, judged, and sent to Hell. They will experience the "second death." Hell is the "second death." At least, the place of fiery torment we otherwise label as Hell is the "second death." Some people use the word "hell" interchangeably with death (eternal separation from God).

In Christ,
Blake

Hell is a temporary holding place. The lake of fire is forevermore. Hell is like jail, where the lake of fire is prison for life.

Bible descriptions of hell:

Duet 32:22 burn unto the lowest hell

Matt 5:22 danger of hell fire

Matt 5:29 thy whole body should be cast into hell

Matt 5:30 thy whole body should be cast into hell

Matt 10:28 both soul and body in hell (physical place)

Matt 18:9 hell fire

Mark 9:43 the fire that never shall be quenched

Mark 9:45 the fire that never shall be quenched

Mark 9:47 hell fire

Luke 16:23 torments

Luke 16:24 I am tormented in this flame

Luke 16:28 place of torment

James 3:6 fire of hell

Some say that Jesus did not go to hell because the Greek word does not mean hell, it means grave, so Jesus went to the grave.

Luke wrote the book of Acts, where the phrase: "thou wilt not leave my soul in hell" comes from. Luke used the Greek word "Hades".

In his first book, he penned the same word "Hades" when writing of Jesus' judgment upon Capernaum, as well as the place of torment for the ruler that saw Lazarus.

Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell

Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Jesus went to hell to do the Father's will, not to suffer. He said "it is finished" on the cross, so His suffering ended on earth. But He still descended to lead captives to heaven and probably get the keys to hell and death.

I thought I might come here and prove my old post wrong, but I had a valid point. Luke describing the rich man in "hades" said that he was in torments, that he wanted a drop of water to cool his tongue, and he had memory and awareness. Lazarus is in Abraham's bosom, which is a picture of a paradise that is because of faith; Abraham was the first to be saved by faith. So the contrast is paradise vs. a place of awareness, heat, torment, and regret. That sounds like a literary contrast between heaven and hell. Then in Acts 2, which is Luke's second book, the same author that wrote the Rich Man and Lazarus story quotes Psalm 16, which Peter states in the Acts 2 sermon is where Jesus went. I still read that Jesus went to Hell, but as the creator of Hell, He would not be subject to those torments. For that matter He would never have to have any fear of Hell as, in essence, He manufactured Hell (I think that's about the best way to think about it). Yes, in short, the I AM God can go anywhere He chooses. Why not go there and demonstrate He has power over all things (which is what Paul spends quite a few verses explaining)

Ephesians 4:9 says that Jesus first descended, before the ascension, into the lower parts of the earth. So I don't think this discounts Jesus going to Hell, I think it explains that the place of regret, torments, heat, and awareness that is called hades is in the lower parts of the earth? Where else would it be? Certainly not in the heavenlies.