Did Jesus’ Spirit Go to Hell?
Listen to this Article Understanding Sheol, Hades, and the Victory of the Cross Few questions stir as much curiosity among believers as what happened to Jesus between His death and resurrection. When He cried out on the cross, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46), where did His spirit go? Did He descend into hell? Was He tormented there, or did He enter in triumph? To answer, we must examine the language of Scripture, the Jewish background of Sheol, and the New Testament’s testimony regarding Christ’s death, resurrection, and heavenly priesthood. Death and the Jewish Hope of Resurrection In ancient Jewish thought, resurrection was central. The Hebrew Scriptures promised a day when the dead would rise: “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6) The dead were...
