Does the Bible say anything about limbo?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament does not mention limbo as a place between heaven and hell. It does, however, speak about Sheol, which is sometimes misunderstood. Sheol is described as the place of the dead, a shadowy realm where all go—both righteous and wicked (e.g., Psalm 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Job 14:13).
• Sheol is not portrayed as a place of final reward or punishment; it is more like a waiting place until bodily resurrection (e.g., Daniel 12:2). The resurrection of the body will not have occurred in Sheol, but the Bible teaches that the dead are either in the presence of the Lord or separated from the Lord.
• The Old Testament emphasizes God’s justice and redemption, pointing forward to the eternal life made possible through the Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 16:10-11).

from the new testament

• Some have sought to interpret Luke 16:19-31 as an account from Jesus that supports the idea of limbo. However, a close look at the passage shows that after death only two locations exist—Lazarus at Abraham's side in the presence of God and the angels, and the rich man in everlasting torment. In fact, when the rich man requested for Lazarus to come and cool his tongue with water, Abraham said, "And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us" (Luke 16:26). That implies that there is no "limbo,” only eternity with God or eternity apart from Him in torment.A new heavens and a new earth will exist one day, so in one sense there is a temporary heaven and hell; however, there is no place in between heaven and hell from which people can alter their eternal destiny.
• Further, Luke 16 stresses the eternal nature of the afterlife. The rich man could not "earn" his way out of eternal torment nor change his situation in any way. This clearly stands in contrast with the Roman Catholic tradition of purgatory that teaches people still have the opportunity to change their situation after this life or that the actions of the living can help people move forward in the next life.
• A proper understanding of the afterlife emphasizes the clear teaching of Jesus—that salvation is necessary now to receive eternal life. The Gospel of John says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
• Hebrews 9:27 indicates that “ it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” After death, there are no additional opportunities for salvation. This makes sharing the gospel message all the more urgent.
• Jesus’ desire is for all people to believe in Him (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4). However, eternal life is given only to those who place their faith in Him (John 3:36; Romans 6:23). This is apart from works, so no one can boast or earn his or her way to heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to eternal life. In John 14:6, Jesus said of Himself, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In Acts 4:12, the apostles affirmed this message, saying, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
• Limbo, described as a place between heaven and hell similar to purgatory, does not exist according to Scripture and never has (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:8). All people immediately enter eternity either with God or apart from Him upon death (Luke 16:22-23; Philippians 1:23). Though this may seem harsh, eternal life is a gracious gift secured through the death of Christ, the ultimate act of love (Romans 5:8). He offers eternal life freely to all who trust in Him (Romans 10:9-10; John 3:16).

implications for today

Eternity is immediate and absolute: we enter either the presence of God or separation from Him at death. That means limbo doesn’t exist. Our relationship with Jesus today determines our eternal destiny. We must ask ourselves “Do I trust in Jesus for salvation?” and “Am I living in obedience to Him?” There is no “second chance” after death, so we are called to respond now with repentance, faith, and surrender. Once we have done this, we can pursue a life that honors God, seeking to reflect His truth and love in the way we live, in our relationships, and in our decisions, knowing that these choices flow from a secure relationship with Christ. Living with this perspective encourages urgency in sharing the gospel with others, helping them understand that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Our hope is in Christ alone, which means we can live with confidence and purpose, fully aware that His gift of eternal life is secure for all who believe.