Jesus in Hell, Bible Translations Contradictions & When Unbelievers Die

Jun 8

Did Jesus go to hell after He died? Can Christians pursue excellence without becoming prideful? And how do we walk alongside someone grieving the loss of a loved one who may not have known Christ?

In this Q&A episode, we tackle some of the most thoughtful and challenging questions our listeners have sent in. We explore what Scripture teaches about Jesus’ descent to Hades, how humility and confidence can coexist in the Christian life, how to comfort believers facing profound grief, and why Bible translations sometimes differ from one another. Along the way, we discuss the afterlife, spiritual gifts, the Apostle Paul’s view of humility, and practical tools for studying Scripture with greater confidence. Our goal is to help remove confusion, strengthen trust in God’s Word, and encourage deeper engagement with the Bible.

What We Learned

• The Apostles’ Creed’s statement that Jesus “descended to hell” is better understood through the biblical concept of Hades, the realm of the dead.• Jesus did not continue suffering for sins after the cross because His atoning work was finished.• Scripture presents Hades/Sheol as more complex than the modern heaven-versus-hell framework many Christians assume.• True humility is not denying strengths but recognizing that every ability and opportunity is a gift from God.• Christians can pursue professional excellence with confidence when their identity is rooted in God rather than personal achievement.• Supporting someone grieving the loss of an unbelieving loved one often requires presence and compassion more than theological explanations.• There are moments in grief when comfort and companionship are more important than doctrinal correction.• Differences between Bible translations often result from translation and interpretation decisions rather than errors in Scripture.