✝️ The Mystery of Holy Saturday: Unlocking the Journey Between the Cross and the Tomb ✨
Have you ever wondered what happened during the Silence of Saturday?
On Friday, Jesus cried, “It is finished,” and died. On Sunday, the stone rolled away, and He rose. But between those two earth-shattering events, there was a pause.
For the disciples, it was a time of crushing grief and confusion. But for Jesus, it wasn’t a nap.
While His body lay cold in Joseph’s tomb, wrapped in spices, His spirit was on a mission. The Apostles’ Creed says, “He descended into hell.” This phrase has confused Christians for centuries. Did Jesus burn in flames? Did He fight Satan in a wrestling match?
Where was Jesus for three days?
The answer reveals the completeness of His victory. He didn’t go to hell to suffer; He went to conquer. He turned the “holding cell” of death into a parade ground of triumph.
Part I: Paradise, Not Punishment 📜
“Today You Will Be With Me” 🕊️
The first clue comes from the Cross itself. When the thief next to Him repented, Jesus didn’t say, “I’ll see you in three days.” He said:
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” —Luke 23:43 (KJV)
This proves Jesus did not go to the Lake of Fire (Gehenna) to be tortured. He went to Paradise.
In the Old Testament, the realm of the dead (Sheol or Hades) was understood to have two compartments: a place of torment for the wicked and a place of comfort for the righteous (often called “Abraham’s Bosom,” see Luke 16). Jesus went to the place of comfort to announce to Abraham, David, and all the faithful that the price had finally been paid.
For more on the reality of the afterlife, read 5 Shocking Biblical Facts About Hell.
The Prophecy of the Soul ⚓
David prophesied this moment in Psalm 16:
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” —Psalm 16:10 (KJV)
In the KJV, the word “hell” here translates the Hebrew Sheol, not the final Gehenna. Peter quotes this in Acts 2 to prove that Jesus really died—His human soul truly went to the realm of the dead—but He was not abandoned there.
Part II: Proclaiming Victory to the Spirits 🗣️
The Mysterious Sermon 📢
1 Peter 3:19 contains one of the most fascinating verses in the Bible. It says that by the Spirit, Jesus “went and preached unto the spirits in prison.”
Who were these spirits? Most conservative theologians believe these were the fallen angels bound since the days of Noah.
Jesus didn’t preach the Gospel to save them (angels cannot be redeemed). He preached a proclamation (kerygso). He marched into the darkest dungeon of the universe and announced, “I have won.”
For more on these bound spirits, read Why Are 4 Fallen Angels Bound in the Euphrates?.
Leading Captivity Captive ⛓️
When Jesus left Hades, He didn’t leave alone. Ephesians 4:8 says:
“When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” —Ephesians 4:8 (KJV)
Many theologians understand this to mean that Christ emptied “Abraham’s Bosom.” He took the Old Testament saints—who were waiting for the Cross—and moved them into the direct presence of God in Heaven. He liberated the righteous dead.
Part III: 3 Common Misconceptions About Jesus’ Descent 💡
Misconception 1: Jesus suffered in Hell to pay for our sins.
- Correction: This is a dangerous error. The payment for sin was finished on the Cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the debt was paid. He did not need to burn in hell to complete the atonement. His descent was a victory lap, not a punishment.
Misconception 2: Jesus gave people a “second chance” to be saved.
- Correction: Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” There is no salvation after death. Jesus proclaimed victory to the spirits, not an invitation.
Misconception 3: “Hell” always means fire.
- Correction: We must distinguish between Hades (temporary holding place) and Gehenna (eternal Lake of Fire). Hades is the county jail; Gehenna is the federal prison. No human is in the Lake of Fire yet; that happens after the Final Judgment.
For context on the final resurrection, read What Happens When Angels Call the Dead to Rise?.
Conclusion: He Holds the Keys 🗝️
Where was Jesus for three days? He was dismantling the power of death from the inside out.
He walked into the grave as a corpse and walked out as a King. And on His way out, He grabbed the keys.
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” —Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
Because He descended, you don’t have to fear the grave. For the believer, death is no longer a prison; it is a doorway held open by the One who has the keys.
Reflection: Do you fear death? Let the truth of Christ’s victory in the underworld give you confidence that He is Lord over every realm.
