The Bible tells us that Jesus the son of God died and resurrected after three days. Now the undefined question there is, Did he ascend to heaven immediately to stay with the father who sent him?, Or did he descend down to hell to free those held captive by sin?. This question seems to be tough to give a single adequate answer, but with scriptures we will get to trace biblical indications on where Christ might be in the space of that three days before his resurrection. We all know that Jesus died and rose up again on the third day, but what happened to him between the three days? Here in this article we will find out.
This question leaves so many question marks on the heart of so many believers. Most believers seem confused on what really happened to him the days before he resurrected. Some scholars believe that he went to preach the gospel of the kingdom to those who were victims of the great flood in the time of Noah, those who have never heard of the world of truth, through Jesus death they could now know about God's kingdom and be saved. They believe that is the way of God given the early unrepentant people in the days of Noah a second chance to live right. Where as a couple of other christians believe that, Jesus went to the old saints of the old testament who were in paradise but not yet in heaven because, the sacrifice have not yet been applied for the atonement of their sins committed while on Earth.
Apostle Peter gave a clue through his writing, on where Jesus was after his death. He believes that Jesus went to those imprisoned spirits, so as to make them free from their captivities when he wrote in his book 1peter 3:18-20. " For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also he went and made proclamation to the spirit now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah during the construction of the ark in which a few that is eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
Ephesians 4:8-10 also gives an indication on where Jesus Christ must have been prior to the three days between his crucifixion and resurrection. 8 " Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 " Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth.
10 " He that descended is the same he that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Talking here on this very scripture was a term described as captives of captive. Now this term refers to the righteous dead people as we also read in the books of Peter, held captive ever since in paradise and rescuing them from death which in Hebrew word is called Hades or sheol to heaven. But because the price for the atonement of human sin which is the lamb( Jesus Christ) has not been paid they were not allowed into heaven, but immediately after the sacrifice has been made they were allowed into heaven.
Here is actually what other biblical scholars believe in. The book of Psalms tells us of the same thing happening, PS 68:18 "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the god might dwell among them.
The third party of believers, believe that Jesus Christ went to hell to triumph over the devil and his demons, those evil and disobedient spirits that fell along side with him. The devil and the fallen angels were all cast down by God from heaven due to their disobedience and bound in hell, so it is said by most christians that Christ must have been in hell for the three days before his resurrection. So as to triumph over them.
2Peter 2:4 " For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement ". Col 2: 15. " And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of then openly triumphing over them in it.
Conclusion:
The Bible gives only a few details on what Jesus encountered during the period between his death and resurrection, though not very much was detailed, Bible scholars have put together several limelight suggestions on what Jesus Christ our Lord could have experienced the three days before he finally resurrected. But to put together from the question asked. So, where was Jesus for the three days in between his death and resurrection?
- He was in Hades, preaching to the spirits in prison
- He descended to hell to release the captivity captives from hell
- He went to hell to triumph over the devil and his fallen angels.