I was recently asked if Jesus spent time in hell after his death on the cross.  To the best of my knowledge, the Bible does not specifically answer this question, but if we put a few different pieces together, an apparent answer to the question may be possible.

What is Hell?

It is vitally important to define our terms properly.  The word “hell” is used 13 times in the New Testament(not at all in the Old Testament) in the New International Version.  [Note:  Other translations use the term in other passages.  For example, the NKJV uses the term 19 times in the OT and 16 times in the NT.  The ESV uses the term 14 times in the NT.  The NASV uses the term 13 times in the NT.]  Hell is referred to in other passages, without using that word specifically(e.g. Rev. 20:10, 15).  Jesus uses the word 11 times(Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5).  James uses the word in Jam. 3:6.  Peter uses the word once in II Pet. 2:4.  Jesus and James use the word in reference a spiritual place of eternal torment for those separated from God because of sin.  In II Pet. 2:4, Peter uses the term to describe a place where rebellious angels are held until the time of judgment(this would appear to be the same place that John refers to in Rev. 20:1-3).  After the day of judgment, those rebellious angels would be sentenced to hell, the eternal place of condemnation(i.e. separation from God forever and ever).

Peter’s use of the word “hell” clearly differs from Jesus’ use and James’ use of the word.  The place that Peter is describing is best known by what most people refer to as the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus(Luke 16:19-31).  [Note:  I believe that this is not a parable, but rather it is a historical event Jesus is describing.  Jesus never refers to it as a parable.  It is also the only “parable” that Jesus refers to people by name(e.g. Lazarus and Abraham).]  The rich man and Lazarus both die.  They both go to the same place, albeit in different areas.  The rich man opens his eyes in torment, while Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom(seemingly a place of comfort and good things).  In addition, there is some sort of separation(a gulf or chasm) between the two areas.  Each area is visible to the other, but no one can go from one side to the other.  This place, referred to by Peter as “hell” in II Pet. 2:4, appears to be the same place that the Old Testament refers to as Sheol(mentioned 18 times in the Old Testament in the NKJV).  The NIV will refer to the same place as the “grave” or the “realm of the dead.”  For simplicity purposes, I will use the term “Sheol” to describe this place.

Sheol - The Realm of the Dead

What happens to a person, any person, after they die?  According to the Old Testament, they go to Sheol . . . everybody(except Enoch(Gen. 5:24) and Elijah(II Kings 2:11)).  In the New Testament, according to Jesus, the dead go to a place that has a “torment” side and a “comfort” side(Luke 16:23, 25).  The term “Hades” is also used to describe this realm of the dead(Luke 16:23).  If the proper interpretation of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as described by Jesus, is that those who die go to Sheol, then Jesus would have gone there too, after His death on the cross.  He would have only stayed for a short while(only being dead for three days) before His resurrection.

Jesus Is Different

Jesus died, but was raised from the dead on the third day, never to die again(Rom. 6:9).  For this reason, He did not stay in Sheol.  This was even prophesied about in Ps. 16:10.  God was not going to leave the soul of the Holy One(i.e. Jesus) in Sheol.  Why?  Because He was going to raise Jesus from the dead.

Future – Will Jesus Spend Any Time in Hell?

Jesus is currently in heaven with the Father.  On the last day, He will return to earth to raise the dead, after which everyone will be judged.  Jesus will return to heaven with those who are saved(I Thess. 4:17) where He will be for all eternity.

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He remained with His disciples until His ascension into heaven(Acts 1:11).  While in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus reigns until the time of His return(I Pet. 3:21-22; Rev.  11:15).  The apostles were told by an angel in Acts 1:11 that Jesus will return.  That return is described more fully in I Cor. 15:24-58.  In verses 24-26, Paul explains that on the final day the final enemy(death) will be defeated by Jesus.  He will then return to raise the dead and give everyone a body that will not perish(I Cor. 15:35-31, 50-55).  Why?  Because the new bodies need to last for all eternity.  Next comes the judgment.  Each person is judged; those whose names are written in the book of life would be with the Lord in what is commonly referred to as heaven(I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15).  Those whose names are not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death(Rev. 20:14-15).  The first death is physical death, which does not last forever, as the dead will be raised on the last day.  The second death will last forever.  The second death is also the place that is reserved for the devil and those who follow him(Rev. 20:10).  It is important to note that even death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire(i.e. second death).  This means that “death,” separation from life(i.e. separation from God) is being destroyed.  The realm of the dead(i.e. Hades or Sheol) is also being destroyed(there would be no longer a need for Sheol).  As a result, all people will either be in one of two places after the judgment: heaven(with God) or the lake of fire/second death(also known as hell).  There is nowhere else anyone can be, as everything else would be completed destroyed by this time.  The physical world is to be destroyed by fire(II Pet. 3:7).  Nothing in the spiritual world will remain other than heaven and hell.  Thus, each person will exist in one of those two places and nowhere else.  And neither appears to have an end.

Conclusion

Based on the above information, Jesus did spend time in Sheol or Hades, but there is no indication that He ever did or ever will spend any time in hell.