Where Was Jesus During the Three Days?
The question of Jesus’ whereabouts during the three days between his crucifixion and resurrection has been debated for centuries. The New Testament affirms that Jesus truly died and was buried, and that on the third day he rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Yet, the Scriptures also contain mysterious references to Jesus’ activity during this period, such as his proclamation to the “spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19) and his promise to the repentant thief on the cross (Luke 23:43). This article will examine the biblical data, historical context, and theological implications of Jesus’ intermediate state, seeking to answer: Where was Jesus for three days?
The Reality of Jesus’ Death and Burial
The Gospels unanimously testify that Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb. Mark records, “And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last” (Mark 15:37). Pilate confirmed Jesus’ death with the centurion before releasing the body for burial (Mark 15:44-45). Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus in a new tomb, and the women observed where he was laid (Mark 15:46-47). The apostle Paul affirms this as foundational to the gospel: “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The reality of Jesus’ death is crucial. He did not merely swoon or appear to die; he truly experienced death as all humans do. His body lay in the tomb from Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning, fulfilling the sign of Jonah: “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).
Jesus’ Promise to the Thief on the Cross
One of the clearest statements about Jesus’ destination after death comes from his words to the repentant thief: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). This promise indicates that immediately upon death, Jesus’ conscious presence would be in “Paradise,” and the thief would join him there that very day.
The term “Paradise” in Jewish thought often referred to the blessed abode of the righteous dead, sometimes equated with “Abraham’s bosom” (see Luke 16:22). It is not identical with the final state of the new heavens and new earth, but rather a place of comfort and fellowship with God for the souls of the faithful awaiting resurrection. Thus, Jesus’ human soul, separated from his body in death, entered into the blessed presence of God, even as his body lay in the tomb.
The Descent to the Dead: Scriptural Foundations
The New Testament contains several passages that suggest Jesus’ activity during the interim between death and resurrection. The most debated is 1 Peter 3:18-20: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared…”
This passage has generated much discussion. Peter asserts that after being “put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” Jesus “went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.” The identity of these spirits and the nature of Jesus’ proclamation are debated. Some interpret “spirits in prison” as fallen angels (see, 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6), while others see them as the souls of the unrighteous dead. The verb “proclaimed” (Greek: ekeryxen) does not necessarily mean “preached the gospel,” but rather “heralded” or “announced.” Thus, many scholars conclude that Jesus, in his disembodied state, proclaimed his victory over sin and death to the spiritual realm, not to offer a second chance of salvation, but to declare his triumph.
A related passage is Ephesians 4:8-10: “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’ (In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
Here, Paul refers to Christ’s descent “into the lower regions, the earth.” Some translations render this as “the lower parts of the earth,” which many early Christians understood as a reference to the realm of the dead (Sheol or Hades).
The Apostles’ Creed and the “Descent into Hell”
The traditional language of the Apostles’ Creed states that Jesus “descended into hell.” The word “hell” here is not a reference to the place of final punishment (Gehenna), but to the realm of the dead (Hades or Sheol). The Creed affirms that Jesus truly experienced death, entering the state of the dead as all humans do, yet without sin. This descent is not a continuation of suffering, but a proclamation of victory and the fulfillment of God’s plan.
Old Testament Background: Sheol and the Afterlife
In the Old Testament, Sheol is the common destination of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous (Genesis 37:35; Psalm 16:10). It is a shadowy existence, not the final state. The hope of the righteous was that God would not abandon them to Sheol forever (Psalm 16:10; see, Acts 2:27, where Peter applies this to Jesus). By entering Sheol, Jesus identifies fully with the human condition, even in death, and by his resurrection, he breaks the power of death and opens the way to eternal life.
Theological Significance of Jesus’ Descent
The descent of Jesus affirms the completeness of Jesus’ identification with humanity. He did not merely appear to die; he truly entered the state of the dead. As John Calvin writes, “If Christ had died only a bodily death, it would have been ineffectual. But he also experienced the severity of God’s vengeance, to appease his wrath and satisfy his just judgment” (Institutes, II.xvi.10).
Jesus’ descent proclaims his victory over the powers of sin, death, and the devil. As Paul declares, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). The resurrection is the public vindication of this victory, but the descent is the announcement of triumph in the spiritual realm.
Jesus’ Resurrection: The Vindication of His Work
On the third day, Jesus rose bodily from the dead, reuniting his human soul and body in glorified form. The empty tomb and his appearances to the disciples confirm that Jesus’ death was real, and his resurrection is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). The resurrection demonstrates that Jesus has conquered death and opened the way to eternal life for all who trust in him.
Truth for Believers
For believers, the teaching that Jesus entered the realm of the dead and emerged victorious is a source of profound comfort. It assures us that Jesus has gone before us into death and has sanctified it for his people. As Hebrews 2:14-15 states, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross assures believers that at death, they will be with Jesus in Paradise, awaiting the resurrection of the body. Death is not the end, but the doorway to eternal fellowship with Christ.
Conclusion: Where was Jesus in those Three Days?
Where was Jesus during the three days between his death and resurrection? According to Scripture, Jesus’ body lay in the tomb, while his human soul entered the realm of the dead, the “Paradise” of the righteous, proclaiming his victory over sin and death. He did not suffer further, but announced victory to the spiritual realm, fulfilling the Scriptures and the hope of the righteous. On the third day, he rose again, securing eternal life for all who trust in him. This truth is not only a matter of theological curiosity, but the foundation of Christian hope: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).