After Jesus died on the cross, Scripture says He “descended into hell” (or “the realm of the dead”). This phrase can sound confusing or even scary, but it’s actually a powerful part of God’s redemptive plan.
In biblical times, the “realm of the dead” was called Sheol (in Hebrew — “Hades” in Greek), understood as a place with two compartments: one side for the righteous (sometimes called Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom), and another side for the unrighteous awaiting final judgment (often associated with torment or hell).
Jesus didn’t descend to suffer punishment Himself—He had already borne that on the cross. Instead, He went to proclaim victory and liberate the righteous souls who had died before His coming, those in the Paradise side of Sheol (1 Peter 3:18-20, Luke 16:22-23).
By doing this, Jesus opened the way for them to Heaven, bringing those faithful ones into His presence. Meanwhile, the unrighteous remain in the other side of Sheol, still awaiting the final judgment.
Jesus’ victory quite literally broke every chain of bondage and secured eternal life for all who trust Him. He has triumphed over all darkness and secured freedom for His people who now take part in that victory.
