Where was Jesus for three days between His death and resurrection?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus’ body truly died and remained in the tomb for three days, showing the reality of His death. His soul, however, departed and went to Paradise, as He promised the repentant thief on the cross. In the Paradise side of Sheol, Jesus proclaimed victory over sin and death, as He eternally defeated them with His death on the cross. Jesus did not offer a second chance of salvation after death. Therefore, during those three days, Jesus was in Paradise, alive in spirit, while His body awaited resurrection.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament doesn’t directly answer where Jesus was during the three days between His death and resurrection, but it provides imagery, prophecy, and foreshadowing that the New Testament later connects to Christ. Psalm 16:10 reads, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” This prophecy points to the Messiah not being left in the realm of the dead (Sheol) and not experiencing decay.
• Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, foreshadowing Jesus’ three days in the grave before resurrection (Jonah 1:17).
• The Suffering Servant is assigned “a grave with the wicked” but God promises that “he shall prolong his days,” indicating death but also life beyond it (Isaiah 53:9–10).
• Though referring to Israel, Hosea 6:2 foreshadows the resurrection on the third day.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus is God, meaning He is omnipresent—present in all places at all times (see Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 23:24). In this sense, Jesus did not “go” anywhere because as God He is everywhere simultaneously (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). When Jesus took on flesh, He was not omnipresent.
• However, since Jesus became fully human (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-8), His soul separated from His human body at death and departed elsewhere (Luke 23:46; Matthew 27:50-53). This “elsewhere” is often debated as to what activities Jesus engaged in during that time (Acts 2:27-31; 1 Peter 3:18-20).
• In speaking to the thief on the cross, Jesus declared, "today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Based on this passage, it is clear Jesus spent part or perhaps all of His time away from His human body living in paradise, or what is also called heaven.
• First Peter 3:18-22 offers other possible insights regarding the activities of Jesus during these three days. First Peter 3 speaks of Jesus preaching to "spirits" from the time of Noah. Some interpret this passage as Jesus preaching to either humans or angels or even evil spirits during the time between His death and resurrection. He could have done this from heaven or the paradise side of Sheol. He was not preaching to save them but rather to declare His victory over sin and death. Others have suggested this as a reference to Christ preaching through Noah in the past. Those who have developed elaborate theories regarding Jesus descending into hell and preaching to people and/or spirits (using Jude 6 and Ephesians 4:8-10) move into the realm of speculation rather than interpretations based upon the clear teachings of Scripture.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The most likely scenario is that Jesus spent the entire time between His death and resurrection in the heavenly realm. Though the Bible does not specify the details of what took place with Jesus during this time period, what is made clear points to Jesus being in "paradise" after his death and prior to His resurrection in His physical body on the third day.

Mormons (Latter-day Saints) teach that after His death, Jesus went to the spirit world, where He organized the preaching of the gospel to those who had died without hearing it. They believe He did not personally preach to everyone but delegated righteous spirits to carry His message so that all could have the chance to accept or reject the gospel before judgment. The Mormon teaching that Jesus organized missionary work in the spirit world is unbiblical because Scripture never says He set up a second chance for salvation after death. Hebrews 9:27 makes it clear that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” meaning our decision about Christ must be made in this life. While 1 Peter 3:18–20 mentions Jesus proclaiming victory to imprisoned spirits, this is not the same as offering salvation, and no verse suggests He delegated evangelism to others in the afterlife. Further, God made clear the way of salvation even in the Old Testament: by faith in God and the promised Messiah. Now that Jesus came, died, and rose again, salvation is still by faith in Him. Once we die, our eternal destiny is sealed. There are no second chances after death.

Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross assures us that death cannot separate believers from God, because those who trust in Christ immediately enter His presence in paradise. Jesus’ time in the heavenly realm shows that even in death, Jesus remained Lord over all creation, fully alive in spirit while His body awaited resurrection. He declared victory over sin and the grave through His death. Those who trust in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins can also face death without fear, knowing that our souls are safe with Him and that our bodies too will one day be raised in glory. Our faith is not shaken because the same God who raised Jesus will also raise us to eternal life in His presence.

UNDERSTAND

• After Jesus died, His body was in the tomb for three days while His soul was in Paradise.
• In Paradise, Jesus proclaimed victory over sin and death.
• Jesus offered salvation in this life only; there are no second chances after death.

REFLECT

• How does knowing Jesus’ soul went to Paradise after His death strengthen your confidence in His victory over sin and death?
• How does the reality that there are no second chances after death motivate you to live faithfully today?
• How does Jesus’ time in Paradise encourage you to trust that your soul is secure in Him even before the resurrection of your body?

ENGAGE

• How can we explain what the Bible says about Jesus’ experience between His death and resurrection?
• Why is it important to distinguish Jesus proclaiming victory over sin and death from offering salvation after death?
• How can we apply the truth that salvation must be received in this life to our conversations and witness with others?