The question of whether Jesus went to hell for three days following His crucifixion arises from an interpretation of certain passages of Scripture, notably from the Apostles’ Creed, which states that He “descended into hell,” and from 1 Peter 3:18-20. The Apostles’ Creed, though not directly from the Bible, is a summary of Christian beliefs that has been used by many Christian denominations for centuries. The phrase “descended into hell” is understood differently among various Christian traditions.

The Bible says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits” (1 Peter 3:18-19, NIV). This passage is one of the key texts that has led to the belief that Jesus went and preached to spirits in prison, which some interpret as a descent into hell or Hades.

Another relevant passage is Ephesians 4:9 (NIV), which says, “What does ‘He ascended’ mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions?” This has been interpreted by some to mean that Jesus descended to the dead or to hell.

However, it’s important to clarify that these interpretations are subject to theological debate. The term “hell” in these contexts is typically understood to refer to “Hades” or “Sheol,” the place of the dead, rather than the lake of fire mentioned in Revelation. The idea is not that Jesus suffered in hell, but that He proclaimed victory over death and sin, and possibly offered redemption to the spirits in prison.

The emphasis in Christian theology is that through His death and resurrection, Jesus overcame death and sin, offering salvation to all who believe in Him. The Apostle’s Creed and the passages from 1 Peter and Ephesians are seen within this broader context of Christ’s redemptive work.

To directly address the question, the Bible does not explicitly state that Jesus spent three days in hell in the sense of a place of torment. The key message of Scripture is that Jesus died, was buried, and rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), and through this act, He accomplished salvation for humanity.

The specific details of the interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief on the cross, and what followed after their deaths, involve complex theological concepts about the afterlife, the nature of Jesus’ work between His death and resurrection, and the concept of paradise.

When Jesus told the repentant thief, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43, NIV), He was promising the thief that upon their deaths, they would be together in a state or place of blessing and peace. The term “paradise” is understood in this context to be a place of comfort and rest for the righteous, distinct from the final heaven, the New Jerusalem, which is described in Revelation 21-22.

The notion of Jesus proclaiming victory to the “imprisoned spirits” as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:18-20 is interpreted in several ways among theologians, but a common understanding is that it represents Jesus’ declaration of victory over sin and death. This proclamation could be seen as part of His redemptive work, asserting His triumph over the powers of evil and death itself.

It’s essential to recognize that these events—Jesus’ promise to the thief, His death, His proclamation to the spirits, and His resurrection—are all part of the mystery of the Christian faith concerning Jesus’ work of salvation. The sequence and specifics of these events are not detailed step-by-step in Scripture but are understood through theological reflection on the whole of Scripture.

The key point is that Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross reveals His authority and willingness to grant salvation to those who turn to Him in faith, even in their last moments. The thief’s faith in Jesus and his request to be remembered indicates a recognition of Jesus’ kingship and His power to save.

While the Bible doesn’t provide a detailed chronological account of Jesus’ activities between His death and resurrection beyond these glimpses, the focus is on the outcome: Jesus’ resurrection, which is central to Christian faith, demonstrating His power over death and His ability to grant eternal life to all who believe in Him.