Did Jesus Actually Descend into Hell?

The topic regarding the question, “Did Jesus descend into hell?” has become a hot issue in the Christian church, and there is no clear answer to this question in scripture.

There is no single biblical text that treats the doctrine of a descent into hell completely, or states the issue clearly or unambiguously. ¹

However, as you study deeper, there is a better understanding to be had.

Christian Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed

The two most well-known creeds in the Christian church are the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed. Both creeds state similar beliefs, but the one major difference is the statement “He descended into hell” found in the Apostles’ Creed.

Christianity is a religion that has always undergone scrutiny in some parts of the world. To combat the scrutiny kings, emperors, and rulers have convened councils to discuss the issues and resolve contingencies. The result of these councils has been a group of creeds that were statements of faith. Scripture and theologians of the day were referenced to develop these creeds. ² The statement that Jesus descended into hell is believed to have been added later, around AD 390. ³ AD 390 was about the same time a bishop named Apollinarius was teaching that Jesus was not fully human; therefore, he could not be an effective sacrifice for the sins of mankind. At the Council of Constantinople in AD 381, this Apollinarian doctrine was condemned. ⁴ Some theologians believe that the Apostles’ Creed’s reference to a descent into hell or Hades is another step in the immeasurable humiliation Jesus surrendered Himself to while assuming human nature. ¹ This is also a point of considerable controversy, categorically denied by some theologians because it implies an obsolete cosmology (i.e., a three-tiered universe). But those objections have the same defect as other aspects of demythologization. ^{5, 6}

There are several thoughts as to why this statement that Jesus descended into hell is not in the Nicene Creed developed at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.

In AD 325, Emperor Constantine gathered church leaders to create a statement of faith in response to the teachings of a man named Arius before the adoption of the Apostle’s Creed. Constantine wanted the Christian church to have a statement of faith that would unite each denomination.

Evidence that Jesus Descended into Hell

However, understanding the text of a document requires careful hermeneutics because the ancient Hebrew, ancient Greek, and English words may have changed meanings over time.

Hell is referred to in the Old Testament with the Hebrew word “Sheol.” This word means hell, but it refers to the present Hell. The understanding that those who have died in their sin and are lost will immediately enter this place upon death is what the word Sheol describes.

Sheol is frequently biblically referenced as simply the state of death, to which it was presumed that all persons go. ⁷ The passage in verses 9 and 10 makes it clear that the ascent was to “Far above the heavens,” that is, it was a return from earth to heaven. The descent, therefore, was from heaven to earth, not to somewhere beneath the earth. Thus, “of the earth” (vs. 9) is a simple appositive – “He had also descended into the lower parts [of the universe], that is the earth.” ⁷

The reference to hell in the Greek is found in the New Testament, which was originally written in Greek. But translating Greek into English is difficult because two words describe the “abode of the dead.”

The word in Greek that speaks of the place of hell is “Gehenna.” This word describes a final retribution or physical place. The Apostles Creed does not use this word.

In the Apostle’s Creed, we find the statement “He descended into Hell” using the Greek word “Hades.” The word Hades, in Greek, refers to the state of death. It could be translated as “descended to those below.” It does not refer to the place we recognize today as hell – it refers to the physical state of death.

Part of careful hermeneutics is being sure to NOT take any phrase out of context. And looking at this phrase, we should notice that it is in parentheses “(Now this, …”). Verses 9 and 10 are a parenthesis that explains what was just said in the previous verse (vs.8).

If we do not take verse 9 out of context, we can find that Paul was demonstrating how the words “He ascended” in Psalm 68:18 had reference to the resurrection of Jesus, speaking first of His rising from the lower parts of God’s universe, and secondly of His ascension far above all the heavens.

Some think that the phrase “the lower parts of the earth” refers to Jesus’ preaching to the spirits in prison described in 1 Peter 3:19 and 4:6. While this aspect of Jesus’ ministry in Hades following His work on the cross is true (and prophesied in Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:18), Paul did not necessarily refer to it here. ⁸ Many theologians interpret these verses as affirming that Christ’s descent included a time in the realm of the dead (not the dwelling place of the Devil or hell), possibly to preach to those who had died, as suggested by 1 Peter 3:18-19. This interpretation connects Christ’s victory over death and his subsequent ascension to his role as the one who “fills all things.”

Modern churches have changed the meaning of the words in the Apostles Creed, while, as time marched forward, words in the English language began to have different meanings than their earlier counterparts. Specifically, the word hell began to mean the place where Satan lives. In the languages of the Bible, this was not what hell was.

Today, we can find many churches that don’t recite the Apostle’s Creed. The ones that still do often leave out this phrase.

Some People Strongly Believe That Jesus Descended into Hell

Some teach that Jesus went to Hell to liberate souls held there.

He also had to rescue the holy people of the Old Testament who were awaiting Him in Abraham’s bosom.

Some theologians explain that Jesus Christ went into Hell to experience the full rigor of suffering, which is the full impact for human sin, so as to give a comprehensive atonement for the sin of humanity.

It is believed that the fulfillment of Jesus’ atoning for our sins could not happen without Jesus going into the place of Hell.

But those who do believe Jesus descended into hell to rescue souls and fulfill the sacrifice for our sins do NOT believe that He went there and stayed awhile. 

How Should You Respond to this Debate?

The Apostles Creed has made a statement that is controversial for some Christians. The key to understanding this statement is to know what the words mean. We must take the time to study before we take a stand on something.

Our response should be to take the time to study the Word. Do some research into the Biblical languages. Ask questions of your pastor or fellow person in Christ. This will help you to understand and process something that is truly beyond our human comprehension.

But our response should not include any deterioration of our faith, declension from God, or condemnation of those that disagree because this is NOT a salvation issue.

I would never, and neither should any other Christian, attempt to disparage your belief on this question, regardless of whether I agree with it or not. Let me just say 2 things:

1) God gave you His Word so that you could personally study it and increase your understanding and faith and the Holy Spirit will guide you toward it’s meaning for you (not just for it’s meaning for the rest of the world) to give you hope, strengthen your faith, and seek spiritual wisdom (Romans 15:4; Proverbs 1:1-5; Colossians 1:9,10; 1 Peter chapters 2 and 5). And in many places of the Bible He tell YOU that He wants YOU to STUDY His word.

2) But if your understanding conflicts what someone else might interpret, be careful with what you say, especially if you try to teach it. God, in several places in the Bible, starting at the beginning in the Book of Genesis, throughout to the ending of the last chapter of the Book Revelation gives severe consequences for those who each false doctrine. (Even if they do so with good intentions.)

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Cited References:

1. Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1985), pg. 773.

2. Erickson, Millard J. “Introducing Christian Doctrine” (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1992), pg. 252

3. A. C. Mc Giffert, The Apostles’ Creed: Its Origin, Its Purpose, and Its Historical Interpretation (New York, NY: Scribner, 1902), pp. 6, 7

4. Ashley Hooker, https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/did-jesus-actually-descend-into-hell.html

5. Rudolf Bultmann, “New Testament and Mythology,” in Kerygmaand Myth, ed. Hans Bartsch (New York: Hsrper and Row, 1961), pp. 2-4

6. John Macquarrie, The Scope of Demythologizing: Bultmann and His Critics (New York: Harper and Row, 1960)

7. Erickson, “Christian Theology,” pg. 774

8. David Guzik, Commentary on Ephesians 4, (Enduring Word, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ephesians 4/