Michael Brooks
The idea of Jesus descending into Hell is a topic of debate among Christians, particularly Catholics and Protestants. The Apostles' Creed, one of the foundational texts of Christianity, states that Jesus descended into hell, leading to differing interpretations. Some believe that Jesus literally went to Hell and suffered, while others argue that hell refers to the realm of the dead, where Jesus liberated the souls awaiting salvation. This doctrine, known as the Harrowing of Hell, symbolises Christ's victory over death and Satan, bringing salvation to those held captive. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that Jesus truly died and conquered death and the devil through his descent into Hell, emphasising the completeness of Christ's human experience, including death and the separation of his soul from his body.
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What You'll Learn
Jesus's descent into Hell
The Harrowing of Hell, or Descensus Christi ad Inferos in Latin, is a Christian theological concept referring to the time between the Crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. It is also known as Holy Saturday.
The Apostles' Creed, one of the foundational texts of the Christian faith, states that Christ "descended into hell". This has been interpreted in various ways, with some theologians arguing that Jesus did not suffer in Hell, but rather descended to the limbo of the fathers or limbo of the patriarchs. This is a place where the Old Testament saints were kept until Christ liberated them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church supports this interpretation, stating that "Hell" is used in Scripture to refer to the abode of all the dead, whether righteous or evil, and that Christ descended to this realm of the dead.
Other interpretations of the Creed's statement include the idea that Jesus did, in fact, suffer in Hell. This view has been influenced by the 20th-century theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, who argued that Christ experienced a kind of existential separation from God, which was a form of suffering. However, this view has been criticised by some as theologically problematic.
The Harrowing of Hell is often depicted in art and literature, with Jesus pulling Adam and Eve out of Hades, illustrating that mankind could not free itself from Original Sin without the intervention of God. This event is also referred to in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 4:6, which states that the "good tidings were proclaimed to the dead".
The Harrowing of Hell holds significant meaning for Christians, as it symbolises Christ's victory over death and the devil, and the completion of his messianic mission to bring salvation to all. It also serves as a source of hope, reminding Christians that no matter how afflicted they may be, they can always have confidence in God's assistance and deliverance.
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Jesus's suffering on the cross
Jesus suffered unimaginable physical, spiritual, and emotional pain during his crucifixion.
Jesus was stripped of his clothes and chained to a stone pillar. He was brutally beaten by Roman soldiers, who were experts in torture and death. The beating was inflicted with a Roman flagrum, a whip with leather strands containing metal balls, pieces of broken pottery, glass, nails, bone, and twisted metal designed to rip flesh. Jesus was then nailed to the cross, with nails driven through his wrists and feet. The physical pain was immense, and he would have struggled to breathe, with his back scraping against the rough wood of the cross.
Jesus also experienced spiritual suffering, bearing the guilt of all sin and enduring the ultimate agony of separation from God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus felt the wrath of God for the first time and begged for another way. On the cross, he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The emotional pain Jesus endured is also significant. He was mocked by the thieves crucified next to him, religious leaders, and the crowds. Despite having the power to destroy them, Jesus never fought back, even as he suffered unimaginable agony.
The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus "descended into Hell," referring to the abode of the dead, including Hades or Limbo, between his crucifixion and resurrection. This belief emphasizes the reality of Christ's death and his victory over death and the devil. While some theologians argue that Jesus did not experience torment in Hell, his descent symbolizes his solidarity with humanity in suffering and his mission to bring salvation to those held captive.
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Jesus's death and burial
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are considered the most important series of events in the history of the world. By means of His death, Jesus fulfilled prophecy and freed humanity from slavery to sin.
Jesus was led out of the city to be crucified (Hebrews 13:12). He was taken to a hill called Golgotha, the "place of the skull," and nailed to a cross between two thieves, fulfilling the prophecy Isaiah had made 700 years before. A great crowd followed Jesus to the place of His crucifixion, including the Jewish leaders who had demanded His death, and His disciples, who followed from a distance.
When Jesus died, a centurion proclaimed, "Truly, this was the Son of God." Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee were also present at the crucifixion and remained nearby after the disciples had fled. These women were the last to leave the cross and the first to come to His grave on the morning of His resurrection.
Jesus was buried in disgrace as an executed criminal, though the exact circumstances of His burial are debated. According to the Gospels, Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Sanhedrin, in a tomb for criminals owned by the Sanhedrin. However, some scholars argue that Jesus was buried by a group of law-abiding Jews, as described in Acts 13:29, or that Joseph of Arimathea received Jesus's body from the soldiers who had exhumed it from the criminal burial pit.
Jesus's burial removed any doubt that He had truly died. By means of His resurrection, Jesus proved He had power over death, assuring His followers that He will one day raise them from the dead as well.
In Christian theology, the Harrowing of Hell refers to the period between the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, when He descended into the underworld or Hades. This event is mentioned in the Apostles' Creed and the Athanasian Creed, which state that Jesus "descended into the underworld," and is alluded to in the New Testament in 1 Peter 4:6.
While some theologians interpret this to mean that Jesus physically descended into Hell and suffered there, others argue that this is not supported by Scripture. According to Thomas Aquinas, Christ did not descend into the "Hell of the lost" but only by the effect of His death, bringing hope to those detained in Purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "by the expression 'He descended into Hell', the Apostles' Creed confesses that Jesus did really die and through his death for us conquered death and the devil."
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Jesus's soul departing to the place of the dead
The idea of Jesus descending into Hell is known as the Harrowing of Hell, which refers to the period between the Crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
> "By the expression 'He descended into Hell', the Apostles' Creed confesses that Jesus did really die and through his death for us conquered death and the devil 'who has the power of death' (Hebrews 2:14). In his human soul united to his divine person, the dead Christ went down to the realm of the dead."
The Creed goes on to say that Jesus "opened Heaven's gates for the just who had gone before him". The word "Hell" is used in Scripture and the Apostles' Creed to refer to the abode of all the dead, whether righteous or evil, unless or until they are admitted to Heaven. This abode of the dead is the "Hell" into which the Creed says Christ descended.
According to Aquinas, Christ did not descend into the "Hell of the lost" in his essence, but only by the effect of his death. Aquinas writes that Christ "put them to shame for their unbelief and wickedness: but to them who were detained in Purgatory he gave hope of attaining to glory". Aquinas also writes that Christ descended into the underworld "to deliver His own; and so we should go down there to rescue our own. They cannot help themselves".
Some maintain that Christ descended into the "limbo of the fathers", while others, notably theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, argue that the descent involved suffering by Jesus. However, Balthasar's point of view has been forcefully condemned by conservative Catholic outlets.
It is important to note that the idea of Jesus descending into Hell is distinct from the notion that he was tormented in Hell. Theologians such as Wayne Grudem and Matthew Emerson argue that there is no biblical basis for the idea that Jesus was tormented in Hell. Instead, they argue that it was the death of Jesus on the cross that provided for our redemption and that his suffering in our place was completed before he descended into the realm of the dead.
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Jesus's victory over Satan
> "By the expression 'He descended into Hell', the Apostles' Creed confesses that Jesus did really die and through his death for us conquered death and the devil 'who has the power of death' (Hebrews 2:14). In his human soul united to his divine person, the dead Christ went down to the realm of the dead. He opened Heaven's gates for the just who had gone before him."
The Harrowing of Hell, as it is known, refers to the period between the Crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection, during which Christ descended into the underworld or Hades. This event is alluded to in the New Testament in 1 Peter 4:6, which states that the "good tidings were proclaimed to the dead".
Jesus's descent into Hell is often interpreted as a source of hope and comfort, as it demonstrates Christ's love and willingness to endure unimaginable suffering on the Cross. According to Aquinas, Christ's descent into Hell was not to deliver all sinners but only those who were free from mortal sin.
Jesus's triumph over Satan is also reflected in the Gospel of Luke, where he tells Simon Peter: "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Jesus descended into Hell.
The phrase "descended into Hell" refers to the time between the Crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. During this time, Jesus brought salvation to the souls held captive in Hell.
No, the phrase "descended into Hell" does not mean that Jesus suffered in Hell. It means that Jesus experienced death as all humans do.
No, Jesus did not liberate everyone in Hell. He only delivered those souls who were free from mortal sin.
The Harrowing of Hell, also known as the Descensus Christi ad Inferos in Latin, is the doctrine that proclaims the total victory of Christ over Satan.
