Many, having been influenced by Calvinism, believe that Jesus died in our place as a substitute for us.* This notion is not supported by Scripture. Some who hold to this substitutionary theory of atonement believe Jesus was only separated from the Father while on the cross. Others believe this separation extended past the cross, which would mean that Jesus went to torments, not paradise, when He died. What do the Scriptures say? Where did Jesus go when He died?
The verse that can most easily be used to argue that Jesus went to torments after His death is Acts 2:31. In this context, Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. In what we sometimes call the first gospel sermon, Peter explained who Jesus was and what He had done. He said: “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption” (Acts 2:31, KJV). The proposed explanation of this verse is that Jesus went to hell when He died, but did not stay there; He was resurrected.
In order to make this point from this verse, one must use the King James Version. The New American Standard version reads, “He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.” The New King James Version also has Hades instead of hell. The New International Version translates this word grave. The King James translation of the Greek word Hadeen as hell is simply a poor translation. This word refers to the grave or the realm of departed spirits. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) shows us that both the righteous and the wicked go to this place. The righteous go to a place of paradise – called “Abraham’s bosom” in the story (Luke 16:22). The wicked go to “torment” (Luke 16:23).
Jesus went to this realm of departed spirits when He died. But did He go to paradise or torment? Many believe He went to torment to suffer the punishment we deserve for our sins. However, Jesus told the penitent thief on the cross where He was going after death: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus’ own statement should be sufficient to settle the matter.
Where did Jesus go when He died? Not to torments. Not to hell. He went to paradise. We can have that same hope if we obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).
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*For more on this topic, refer to this article: Whose Place Did Jesus Take on the Cross?.
