JESUS AFTER BURIAL
WHERE WAS JESUS WHILE HIS BODY WAS IN THE GRAVE?
The Bible provides intriguing glimpses into Christ’s activities between His death and resurrection. While His physical body lay in the tomb, Scripture suggests Jesus’ spirit was active in the realm of the dead.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
1. Ephesians 4:9-10: “He descended to the lower parts of the earth.”
2. 1 Peter 3:18-20: “He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.”
3. 1 Peter 4:6: “The gospel was preached even to the dead.”
4. Luke 16:19-31: The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, mentioning “Abraham’s bosom.”
According to the Apostles’ Creed, “He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again.” This statement has puzzled many Christians, leading to questions about the meaning of “hell” in this context. Ephesians 4:9-10 provides some insight, stating that Jesus “first descended to the dead in the lower parts of the world.” This suggests that Jesus visited the realm of the dead, often referred to as “hell” or “Hades,” where the souls of those who had died before His resurrection resided.
1 Peter 3:18-20 further clarifies this event: “He was put to death in the body, but was raised to life by the Spirit, and it was then that he went to preach to the imprisoned spirits.” This passage indicates that Jesus went to proclaim His victory and the message of salvation to the spirits of the deceased. This act of descending to the dead is often referred to as the “Harrowing of Hell.”
MEANING AND INTERPRETATION
These passages indicate that after His death, Christ descended to the realm of the dead, often referred to as “hell” or “Hades” in ancient creeds. However, this should not be confused with the place of eternal punishment. Rather, it was likely a temporary abode for the souls of the righteous who died before Christ’s coming. In this realm, Jesus proclaimed His victory over sin and death. He may have liberated the souls of Old Testament saints who had been waiting for the promised Messiah.
In the realm of the dead, there were two categories of people: those destined for eternal bliss and those destined for eternal damnation. Jesus went to the abode of the righteous, also known as “Abraham’s bosom” (Lk 16:19-31), as depicted in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This “hell/hades” mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed is understood to be the place where the righteous souls awaited their Redeemer. Only after Jesus’ victory could they enter heaven and behold God. This is affirmed in 1 Peter 4:6, which states, “The gospel was preached even to the dead.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “The descent into hell brings the Gospel message of salvation to complete fulfillment” (CCC 484). “He opened heaven’s gates for the just who had gone before him” (CCC 637). This descent is seen as an essential part of Jesus’ mission to save humanity, fulfilling the promise of salvation for all, including those who had died before His resurrection.
In the Church of Chora funeral chapel in Istanbul, Turkey, there is a famous icon called “The Harrowing of Hell.” This icon beautifully depicts Christ’s descent into hell. Jesus is shown standing over the broken gates of hell, which are fallen in a cross shape over the pit of darkness. The chained devil is depicted falling into this pit. In the icon, Jesus, dressed in glorious attire, lifts Adam and Eve out of their graves by their wrists, symbolizing that they cannot raise themselves. This powerful image portrays Jesus as the conqueror and redeemer of humanity, represented by our first parents. Surrounding Jesus are kings, prophets, and the righteous of Israel, including David, Solomon, Moses, Daniel, Zechariah, and John the Baptist, all witnessing His victory.
Message for Christians
1. Christ’s Complete Identification with Humanity: Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead demonstrates the completeness of His identification with human mortality.
2. Historical Scope of Salvation: It affirms that Christ’s saving work extends to all of human history, including those who lived before His earthly ministry.
3. Victory Over Death: It emphasizes Christ’s ultimate victory over death and the powers of darkness.
4. Universal Redemption: This doctrine reminds us of the cosmic scope of Christ’s redemptive work, encompassing not just the living, but also reaching back to embrace the faithful dead.
As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that Christ’s victory is total and that death itself cannot separate us from His love and saving power. His descent and triumphant return from the realm of the dead foreshadowed His resurrection and our own future hope of eternal life.
REFLECTION
This profound mystery of Jesus’ descent into hell underscores His complete victory over sin and death. It reminds Christians that Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection are not just for the living but also for those who have died, fulfilling God’s plan of salvation for all humanity. This event highlights the universality of Jesus’ redemption and the hope it brings to all believers.
Christians are called to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ love and the lengths He went to save humanity. This event invites us to trust in His promise of eternal life and to live in the hope of resurrection. It also encourages us to share the Gospel with others, knowing that Jesus’ victory extends beyond the grave, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
In our daily lives, we can draw inspiration from this event to remain steadfast in our faith, especially in the face of trials and suffering. Jesus’ descent into hell assures us that He is with us in our darkest moments, lifting us up and leading us to eternal life with Him.