This has been analyzed, debated, discussed, and studied for centuries. Where did Jesus go...between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection? Well, here is what I think...for whatever it is worth.
First, I accept what was stated in Matthew 12:40...and here is my view on this verse:
" The only evidence of where I will be for 3 days is going to be in the very absence of any proof...like the "Jonah- evidence".
For just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale without anyone knowing it, the Son of Man Himself will be gone 3 days and nights...in the grave itself."
So, I am of the opinion...we just don't know. Now, with that being said, we do have some interesting verses of Scripture to "ponder", and I enjoy taking a look at these.
The first, is the most common one you hear or read about, from 1 Peter 3:18-20. So, here is how I interpret this one:
" Christ, the Messiah Himself, died once...for all of our sin, it was a totally Innocent One dying for the completely guilty, a purely Just One dying for an entire unjust human race. The reason He did all this was so we could come and know His Father...just like Him!
Now this is for certain, Jesus did suffer a physical death, but He was raised to Life in spirit. As a result of this work, Christ Jesus went and proclaimed to the spirits who were in prison, those who had rebelled against His very Father, which actually happened as far back as the days of Noah, who while building the Ark, God was showing His kind patience to all who had chose to rebel.
As it turned out, only a few people, 8 in all, were brought safely through the flood."
Note: The Greek word "keruzzo" is translated into English "proclaim". It means to announce.
The Greek word "euaggelizo" is translated into English "preach". Jesus did not go the spirits in prison to preach to them, rather, to announce to them ...most likely the completion of God's Redemption Plan.
The other thing to keep on mind: no where in the New Testament were humans referred to as spirits.
A 2nd Scripture is taken from Jude 1:6, in reference to these spirits. It reads: " And the angels who did not keep their posts, remaining within the limits of authority God had given them, they chose to abandon their duties and sought out darker missions. Now, these rebellious angels are chained in the very prisons of Darkness they had pursued, and await the Great Day of Judgment."
The other popular question that arises when it comes to "where did Jesus go?", was, " Did He descend into hell? "
There are no scriptures that state Christ Jesus went to hell during his 3 days. The scriptures do speak of Hades, which was more of a place where the those that have died before the Cross had been retained. Some biblical researchers have given this idea for thought: Was Hades a spiritual condition and not necessarily an underground location?
One thing for sure: those of us who grew up in the mainline denomination were often required to memorize the Apostle's Creed. And here is a likely place one might think Christ went to hell itself, for it says: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried. HE DESCENDED INTO
HELL..."
I have nothing against this Creed...but the Scriptures do not back up that He descended into hell.
Now the Apostle's Creed origin was probably around 390 A.D. Later, there was a Nicene Creed , and it bypassed the hell thing altogether.
One more Scripture to consider, from Ephesians 4:8-10: "This is why the Scriptures state, when He went up to the highest place, He led away those who had conquered us, that being sin, the devil, and even death itself. Then, He gave gifts to His people, including those who would become apostles, evangelists, and still others pastors and teachers. Notice, it says "ascended", which clearly means means Christ came down to us...and became one of us. So, as for us, this is who we can put our trust in...the very same One that came to earth is taking us...with Him!...right into His Father's Presence, and the whole universe will be filled...with Christ Himself!" (reminder: this is my personal gleaning...not a direct quote).
So, what are the results? I am not sure where He went during the 3 days. But the more important question for me....He has come and made His home...in my heart!....and for that, I am ever grateful!
First, I accept what was stated in Matthew 12:40...and here is my view on this verse:
" The only evidence of where I will be for 3 days is going to be in the very absence of any proof...like the "Jonah- evidence".
For just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale without anyone knowing it, the Son of Man Himself will be gone 3 days and nights...in the grave itself."
So, I am of the opinion...we just don't know. Now, with that being said, we do have some interesting verses of Scripture to "ponder", and I enjoy taking a look at these.
The first, is the most common one you hear or read about, from 1 Peter 3:18-20. So, here is how I interpret this one:
" Christ, the Messiah Himself, died once...for all of our sin, it was a totally Innocent One dying for the completely guilty, a purely Just One dying for an entire unjust human race. The reason He did all this was so we could come and know His Father...just like Him!
Now this is for certain, Jesus did suffer a physical death, but He was raised to Life in spirit. As a result of this work, Christ Jesus went and proclaimed to the spirits who were in prison, those who had rebelled against His very Father, which actually happened as far back as the days of Noah, who while building the Ark, God was showing His kind patience to all who had chose to rebel.
As it turned out, only a few people, 8 in all, were brought safely through the flood."
Note: The Greek word "keruzzo" is translated into English "proclaim". It means to announce.The Greek word "euaggelizo" is translated into English "preach". Jesus did not go the spirits in prison to preach to them, rather, to announce to them ...most likely the completion of God's Redemption Plan.
The other thing to keep on mind: no where in the New Testament were humans referred to as spirits.
A 2nd Scripture is taken from Jude 1:6, in reference to these spirits. It reads: " And the angels who did not keep their posts, remaining within the limits of authority God had given them, they chose to abandon their duties and sought out darker missions. Now, these rebellious angels are chained in the very prisons of Darkness they had pursued, and await the Great Day of Judgment."
The other popular question that arises when it comes to "where did Jesus go?", was, " Did He descend into hell? "
There are no scriptures that state Christ Jesus went to hell during his 3 days. The scriptures do speak of Hades, which was more of a place where the those that have died before the Cross had been retained. Some biblical researchers have given this idea for thought: Was Hades a spiritual condition and not necessarily an underground location?
One thing for sure: those of us who grew up in the mainline denomination were often required to memorize the Apostle's Creed. And here is a likely place one might think Christ went to hell itself, for it says: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried. HE DESCENDED INTO
HELL..."
I have nothing against this Creed...but the Scriptures do not back up that He descended into hell.
Now the Apostle's Creed origin was probably around 390 A.D. Later, there was a Nicene Creed , and it bypassed the hell thing altogether.
One more Scripture to consider, from Ephesians 4:8-10: "This is why the Scriptures state, when He went up to the highest place, He led away those who had conquered us, that being sin, the devil, and even death itself. Then, He gave gifts to His people, including those who would become apostles, evangelists, and still others pastors and teachers. Notice, it says "ascended", which clearly means means Christ came down to us...and became one of us. So, as for us, this is who we can put our trust in...the very same One that came to earth is taking us...with Him!...right into His Father's Presence, and the whole universe will be filled...with Christ Himself!" (reminder: this is my personal gleaning...not a direct quote).
So, what are the results? I am not sure where He went during the 3 days. But the more important question for me....He has come and made His home...in my heart!....and for that, I am ever grateful!
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