Jesus Went to Hell, but Why?

Ephesians 4:7-12 speaks about spiritual gifts in the early church. Parenthetically, Paul writes in verses 8,9, and 10 that Christ descended into Hell and ascended on high, quoting Psa 68:18-19. The real question some may ask is, why?

The Hell that the Bible describes contains two compartments: Abraham’s bosom (also called paradise in the OT) and a place of torment and anguish separated by a “great gulf” (Luke 16:22-31). It’s also in the center of the earth, regardless of what National Geographic tells you is down there (Matt 12:40).

Prior to the death of Christ, those who were faithful Israel went to Abraham’s bosom and awaited the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross. They were waiting for the check to clear, being saved on credit, because the blood of bulls and goats wasn’t enough; the law can’t justify (Gal 3:11, Heb 10:4, Rom 3:25). Jesus was there for three days and three nights, preaching to the spirits in prison about the work he had finished on the cross. In the process, he “led captivity captive” as the verse states, bringing those souls up to Heaven with Him. Additionally, this quote of the Psalms proves that Jesus is God along with Psa 16:10 in the context of the descent and ascent of Christ.

Under grace, we have NOW received the atonement and are justified by grace through faith in the finished cross-work of Christ. We’re saved by the precious blood of Christ, on debit (Rom 5:11, Eph 2:13). No need to wait around for our deliverance, because we already have it! 

While this passage may be interesting, it is ultimately unclear and we shouldn’t try to exposit deep doctrinal beliefs from it. It’s important to note that this parenthetical statement from the Apostle Paul isn’t the point or focus of the passage. The point is to declare the victory of Christ and his subsequent gifting of spiritual gifts to the early church. As we study the scripture, let us consider which doctrines are fundamental and easy to understand, and which ones are fascinating, but not seminal to the message we preach. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds, but if we keep the gospel central and hold fast to the firm foundation of the free grace we’ve been given, we’ll avoid doctrinal mishaps and swerving from the mission we have to see souls saved and saints edified in the body of Christ (2Ti 2:23).