What Did Jesus Say About Hell?

What specific words did Jesus use when talking about hell?

In the Gospels, we find that Jesus primarily used the Greek word “Gehenna” when referring to hell. This term appears 11 times in the New Testament, and in all but one instance, it is spoken by Jesus himself. Gehenna was a reference to the Valley of Hinnom, a place outside Jerusalem that had a dark history as a site of child sacrifice and later became a garbage dump where fires burned continually. By using this vivid imagery, Jesus tapped into his listeners’ understanding of a place of judgment and destruction.(Papaioannou, 2018)

Another term we encounter in Jesus’ teachings is “Hades,” which appears in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). While Hades in Greek mythology referred to the underworld, in Jewish thought it was often associated with the realm of the dead. Jesus used this concept to speak of a place of torment for the unrighteous after death.

We also find Jesus using metaphorical language to describe the fate of those who reject God’s love. He speaks of “outer darkness” (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) and the “fiery furnace” (Matthew 13:42, 50), vivid images that convey the pain of separation from God and the consequences of sin.

Psychologically Jesus’ use of such powerful and evocative language serves to underscore the gravity of our moral choices and the eternal significance of our relationship with God. These words are not meant merely to frighten, but to awaken us to the reality of divine justice and the need for repentance and faith.

Historically, we must remember that Jesus was speaking within a Jewish context where beliefs about the afterlife were diverse and evolving. His teachings on hell built upon and transformed existing concepts, emphasizing the personal and ethical dimensions of judgment.

While Jesus spoke clearly about the reality of hell, he did so not out of a desire to condemn, but out of love and a desire to save. His words on hell are always balanced by his message of God’s boundless mercy and the possibility of salvation through faith.

How often did Jesus mention hell in the Gospels?

Although the exact count may vary slightly depending on how one categorizes certain passages, a careful examination of the Gospels reveals that Jesus spoke about hell with a frequency that demands our attention. The term “Gehenna,” which Jesus used most often to refer to hell, appears 11 times in the New Testament, and in all but one instance, it is found on the lips of Jesus himself.(Papaioannou, 2018)

But we must not limit our understanding to this single term. Jesus also used other words and phrases that refer to the concept of divine judgment and eternal separation from God. When we include references to “Hades,” “outer darkness,” “fiery furnace,” and similar expressions, the number of times Jesus addressed this topic increases significantly.

Psychologically the frequency with which Jesus spoke about hell underscores the seriousness with which he viewed the human condition and the eternal consequences of our choices. His repeated warnings serve not to instill paralyzing fear, but to awaken a sense of urgency and responsibility in his listeners.

Historically, we must consider that Jesus was speaking to a Jewish audience with diverse views on the afterlife. His frequent mentions of hell were not introducing an entirely new concept, but rather clarifying and emphasizing aspects of judgment that were already present in Jewish thought. Jesus’ teachings on hell were part of his broader message about the Kingdom of God and the need for repentance and faith.

While Jesus spoke about hell with notable frequency, these mentions are always in the context of his larger message of God’s love and the offer of salvation. For every mention of hell, we find many more references to God’s mercy, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life for those who believe.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark contain the majority of Jesus’ references to hell, with Luke including fewer explicit mentions. This distribution may reflect the specific concerns and audiences of each Gospel writer, but it does not diminish the overall importance of the topic in Jesus’ teaching.

In our modern context, where discussions of hell may be uncomfortable or unpopular, we must not shy away from the fullness of Jesus’ teaching. Instead, let us approach this topic with the same balance of truth and love that our Lord demonstrated, always pointing to the hope and redemption offered through his life, death, and resurrection.

What parables or stories did Jesus tell that involved hell?

One of the most well-known parables involving hell is the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31. In this poignant tale, Jesus describes the fate of a wealthy man who ignored the suffering of a poor beggar named Lazarus. After death, the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in Abraham’s bosom. This parable provides a stark illustration of the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife and the finality of judgment.(Papaioannou, 2018)

Psychologically this parable taps into our innate sense of justice and the human tendency to ignore the suffering of others when we are comfortable. It challenges us to examine our values and how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves.

Another major parable is that of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). While not explicitly mentioning hell, Jesus uses the imagery of a “fiery furnace” to describe the fate of the wicked at the final judgment. This story emphasizes the coexistence of good and evil in the present world and the certainty of ultimate separation.

The parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50) similarly uses the image of fiery judgment to describe the fate of the wicked. These agricultural and fishing metaphors would have resonated deeply with Jesus’ audience, making the abstract concept of judgment more tangible and immediate.

In Matthew 25:31-46, we find the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, where Jesus describes the final judgment using the imagery of a shepherd separating his flock. Those who failed to show compassion to “the least of these” are sent to “eternal punishment,” a clear reference to hell.

Historically, these parables built upon Jewish apocalyptic traditions while introducing Jesus’ unique emphasis on personal ethics and the present reality of God’s kingdom. They served not only to warn but also to motivate his listeners to live lives of faith and compassion.

Although these parables involve serious warnings about judgment, they are always set within the larger context of Jesus’ message of God’s love and the invitation to enter the Kingdom. The parables are not meant to simply frighten, but to awaken us to the reality of our choices and their eternal consequences.

In our modern context, where the concept of hell may be uncomfortable or contested, these parables remind us of the seriousness with which Jesus viewed our moral and spiritual choices. They call us to a life of active faith, compassion, and readiness for the coming of God’s kingdom in its fullness.

Did Jesus describe hell as a place of eternal torment?

In the Gospels, we find that Jesus used language that suggests hell as a place of ongoing suffering or torment. In Mark 9:47-48, Jesus speaks of hell (Gehenna) as a place “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” This vivid imagery, drawn from Isaiah 66:24, conveys a sense of enduring anguish.(Papaioannou, 2018)

Similarly, in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus portrays the rich man as being in torment in Hades, pleading for even a drop of water to cool his tongue. This narrative presents a picture of conscious suffering that continues after death.

Psychologically these descriptions tap into deep-seated human fears about pain, isolation, and regret. They serve as powerful motivators for moral behavior and spiritual seeking, urging listeners to consider the eternal consequences of their choices.

But we must be cautious about interpreting these passages too literally or simplistically. Jesus often used metaphorical language to convey spiritual truths, and the concept of “eternal” in biblical Greek (aionios) can have nuanced meanings beyond simply “never-ending.”

Some scholars argue that Jesus’ teachings on hell emphasize destruction rather than eternal conscious torment. For instance, in Matthew 10:28, Jesus speaks of God being able to “destroy both soul and body in hell.” This has led some to interpret hell as a place of ultimate annihilation rather than endless suffering.(Segovia, 2023)

Historically, beliefs about the afterlife in first-century Judaism were diverse and evolving. Jesus’ teachings on hell both drew from and transformed existing concepts, emphasizing the personal and ethical dimensions of judgment.

As we grapple with these difficult passages, we must not lose sight of the broader context of Jesus’ message, which was fundamentally one of God’s love and the offer of salvation. His warnings about hell were always balanced by invitations to repentance and the promise of eternal life for those who believe.

In our modern context, where the concept of eternal torment raises powerful theological and ethical questions, we must approach Jesus’ teachings with both reverence for scripture and openness to the mystery of God’s justice and mercy. The Church has long reflected on these matters, and Although the reality of hell as a state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God is a core doctrine, the precise nature of this state remains a subject of theological reflection.(Verster, 2021)

I urge you, not to fixate on the terrifying aspects of hell, but rather to focus on the immeasurable love of God revealed in Christ. Let these challenging teachings of Jesus inspire us to live lives of love, compassion, and faithful obedience, trusting in God’s mercy and striving to draw others into the embrace of divine love.

How did Jesus contrast heaven and hell?

In the Gospels, we find Jesus consistently portraying heaven and hell as ultimate destinations that stand in stark opposition to one another. Heaven is described as a place of joy, peace, and communion with God, while hell is characterized by anguish, separation, and the absence of God’s presence.

One of the most striking contrasts appears in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Here, Jesus portrays Lazarus as being comforted in “Abraham’s bosom,” a Jewish metaphor for paradise, Although the rich man suffers in torment, separated by an unbridgeable chasm. This parable vividly illustrates the reversal of fortunes and the finality of the separation between the saved and the lost.(Papaioannou, 2018)

Psychologically this contrast taps into our deepest longings for belonging and our fears of isolation. Heaven represents the fulfillment of our desire for meaning and connection, while hell embodies our anxieties about ultimate rejection and loss.

Jesus often used spatial metaphors to contrast heaven and hell. He spoke of the “narrow gate” leading to life and the “wide gate” leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). This imagery emphasizes the choices we make in this life and their eternal consequences. Similarly, in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43), Jesus contrasts the fate of the righteous, who will “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father,” with that of the wicked, who will be thrown into the “fiery furnace.”

The contrast between light and darkness is another powerful motif in Jesus’ teachings. He describes heaven as a place of light, associating it with God’s presence and truth, while hell is often portrayed as “outer darkness” (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30), symbolizing separation from God and spiritual blindness.

Historically, these contrasts built upon Jewish apocalyptic traditions while introducing Jesus’ unique emphasis on the present reality of God’s kingdom. For Jesus, the choice between heaven and hell was not merely a future event but a present reality shaped by one’s response to his message and person.

It’s crucial to note that while Jesus spoke clearly about the reality of hell, his primary focus was on inviting people into the joy and fullness of God’s kingdom. The contrast between heaven and hell served to highlight the immeasurable value of the salvation he offered.

In our modern context, where discussions of the afterlife may seem abstract or irrelevant, Jesus’ vivid contrasts call us back to the fundamental questions of existence: Who are we in relation to God? How are we living in light of eternity? These teachings invite us to embrace the transforming power of God’s love and to share that love with others, recognizing the eternal weight of our daily choices and interactions.

What did Jesus say about who goes to hell?

Jesus spoke with great seriousness about the reality of hell and those who are at risk of eternal separation from God. His words on this matter should give us pause and lead us to deep reflection.

In the Gospels, we see Jesus warning that those who persist in unrepentant sin and reject God’s mercy are in danger of hell. He spoke of those who refuse to forgive others (Matthew 6:15), those who lead others into sin (Matthew 18:6-9), and those who neglect the needs of the poor and suffering (Matthew 25:41-46) as being at risk of eternal punishment.(Hokin, 2015)

Jesus also used strong language about the “broad road” that leads to destruction, contrasting it with the narrow path to life (Matthew 7:13-14). This suggests that many, perhaps even the majority, are on a path that leads away from God.(Hokin, 2015)

But we must be careful not to interpret these warnings in an overly simplistic or legalistic way. Jesus’ teachings always point us back to the heart of the matter – our relationship with God and our neighbor. His parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son reveal God’s deep desire that all should be saved (Luke 15).

Psychologically we can understand Jesus’ warnings about hell as a way of confronting us with the ultimate consequences of our choices. By painting a stark picture of eternal separation from God, Jesus challenges us to examine our lives and priorities.(Penno, 2014)

Historically, we see that Jesus’ teachings on hell were often more nuanced and complex than later interpretations. He used vivid imagery drawn from Jewish apocalyptic literature, but always in service of calling people to repentance and right relationship with God and neighbor.(Fletcher, 2009, p. 6)

Jesus teaches that those who persistently reject God’s love and mercy, who refuse to extend that love and mercy to others, are in danger of hell. But his message is always one of hope – that through repentance and faith, this fate can be avoided. His desire is not to condemn, but to save.

Did Jesus teach that hell could be avoided? If so, how?

The heart of Jesus’ message is one of hope and redemption. While he spoke clearly about the reality of hell, his teachings consistently point to the possibility of avoiding this fate through God’s grace and our response to it.

Jesus taught that the way to avoid hell is through repentance, faith, and a life transformed by God’s love. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus begins his ministry with the proclamation, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). This call to repentance and faith is at the core of Jesus’ teaching on salvation.(Hokin, 2015)

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus emphasizing the importance of a genuine, interior transformation. It’s not merely about outward observance of rules, but about a change of heart that leads to a change in behavior. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that it’s not enough to avoid murder; we must also root out anger and contempt from our hearts (Matthew 5:21-22).(Hokin, 2015)

Jesus also stressed the importance of forgiveness and mercy. He taught that we must forgive others if we hope to be forgiven by God (Matthew 6:14-15). This reciprocal nature of forgiveness highlights the interconnectedness of our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

Psychologically we can understand Jesus’ teachings on avoiding hell as a call to wholeness and integration. By aligning our will with God’s will, by cultivating love and compassion, we move towards psychological and spiritual health.(Penno, 2014)

Historically, we see that Jesus’ teachings on avoiding hell were often tied to his proclamation of the Kingdom of God. This wasn’t just about individual salvation, but about participating in God’s work of renewal and restoration in the world.(Fletcher, 2009, p. 6)

It’s crucial to note that Jesus consistently emphasized God’s mercy and desire to save. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) beautifully illustrates God’s eagerness to welcome back those who have strayed. Jesus taught that even one lost sheep is worth searching for (Luke 15:3-7), highlighting God’s concern for each individual.

Jesus taught that hell can be avoided through repentance, faith, and a life oriented towards God’s love. This involves not just belief, but a transformation of our whole being – our thoughts, actions, and relationships. It’s a path that requires God’s grace and our cooperation with that grace.

The good news is that this path is open to all. As Jesus said, “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). This is the heart of Jesus’ teaching on avoiding hell – it’s rooted in God’s love and desire for our salvation.

How do Jesus’ teachings on hell compare to Old Testament concepts?

To understand Jesus’ teachings on hell, we must consider them in light of the Old Testament concepts that formed the religious and cultural context of his time. Although there are continuities, Jesus also brought new emphases and insights to this difficult topic.

In the Old Testament, the concept of the afterlife was less developed than in Jesus’ time. The Hebrew Sheol, often translated as “the grave” or “the pit,” was seen as a shadowy underworld where all the dead went, regardless of their moral status in life. It was not necessarily a place of punishment, but rather a realm of diminished existence.(Papaioannou & Fudge, 2013)

Jesus, But spoke more explicitly about a place of eternal punishment for the wicked. He used the term “Gehenna,” which referred to a valley outside Jerusalem associated with child sacrifice and later used as a garbage dump. This vivid imagery of a place of fire and corruption became a metaphor for divine punishment.(Maniecka, 2016, pp. 237–251)

Yet, Jesus’ teachings on hell were not simply a continuation of Old Testament concepts. He brought a new urgency and personal dimension to the issue. Although the Old Testament often spoke of judgment in collective, national terms, Jesus emphasized individual responsibility and the eternal consequences of one’s choices.(Hokin, 2015)

Psychologically we can see Jesus’ teachings as addressing deeper existential concerns about justice, meaning, and the ultimate consequences of our actions. By speaking of hell in more concrete terms, Jesus confronted his listeners with the gravity of their moral and spiritual choices.(Penno, 2014)

Historically, we must recognize that Jesus was speaking in a time of heightened apocalyptic expectations. His teachings on hell drew on and reinterpreted Jewish apocalyptic literature, which had developed more elaborate concepts of the afterlife in the centuries leading up to Jesus’ time.(Fletcher, 2009, p. 6)

While Jesus spoke about hell more frequently and vividly than we see in the Old Testament, his overall message was one of God’s love and desire to save. The parable of the prodigal son, for instance, reveals a God who is eagerly waiting to welcome back those who have strayed – a picture that goes beyond anything we find in the Old Testament.(Hokin, 2015)

Jesus also emphasized the present reality of God’s kingdom, teaching that eternal life begins now through faith in him. This added a new dimension to Old Testament expectations of a future day of judgment.(Stallman, 2013)

While Jesus built upon Old Testament concepts, he brought new clarity and urgency to teachings about hell. He spoke of it as a real possibility, not to instill fear, but to underscore the importance of responding to God’s offer of salvation. At the same time, he revealed more fully the depths of God’s love and mercy, offering hope to all who would turn to him.

What did the early Church Fathers teach about Jesus’ words on hell?

Many of the Church Fathers took Jesus’ words about hell quite literally, understanding them as warnings about a real place of eternal punishment. Justin Martyr, writing in the 2nd century, spoke of the eternal fire prepared for the wicked. Tertullian, in the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries, described hell in vivid, physical terms, drawing on Jesus’ imagery of fire and outer darkness.(Dunkle, 2019, pp. 1020–1020)

But other Church Fathers interpreted Jesus’ words more symbolically. Origen of Alexandria, for instance, suggested that the fire of hell might be understood as an internal, spiritual reality rather than a literal, physical flame. He even speculated about the possibility of universal salvation, though this view was later rejected by the Church.(Dunkle, 2019, pp. 1020–1020)

The Church Fathers generally agreed that Jesus’ teachings on hell emphasized the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. They saw hell not as divine vengeance, but as the natural consequence of rejecting God’s love. As Augustine put it, “God does not send anyone to hell; people choose to go there by turning away from God.”(Malanyak, 2023)

Psychologically we can see the Church Fathers grappling with the powerful existential questions raised by Jesus’ teachings on hell. They sought to understand how a loving God could allow eternal suffering, and how this related to human free will and responsibility.(Cook, 2020)

Historically, we must remember that the Church Fathers were writing in a context of persecution and doctrinal disputes. Their interpretations of Jesus’ words on hell were often shaped by their need to defend Christian doctrine against heresies and to encourage faithfulness in the face of suffering.(McGinn, 2014)

Although the Church Fathers took Jesus’ words on hell seriously, they also emphasized God’s mercy and desire for all to be saved. John Chrysostom, for example, taught that God threatens us with hell out of love, to draw us back to himself.(Dunkle, 2019, pp. 1020–1020)

The Church Fathers also developed the concept of Christ’s descent into hell, based on hints in Scripture and early Christian tradition. They saw this as a sign of Christ’s victory over death and his desire to bring salvation even to those who had died before his coming.(Petcu, 2016)

How should Christians today understand Jesus’ teachings on hell?

We must recognize the seriousness with which Jesus spoke about hell. His warnings were not meant to instill fear, but to awaken us to the gravity of our choices and the eternal significance of our relationship with God. We cannot simply dismiss or soften these teachings without doing violence to the integrity of Jesus’ message.(Hokin, 2015)

At the same time, we must understand Jesus’ words on hell in the context of his entire ministry and message. Jesus came to reveal God’s love, to seek and save the lost, and to offer abundant life to all who would receive it. His teachings on hell must be balanced with his teachings on God’s mercy, forgiveness, and desire for all to be saved.(Penno, 2014)

Psychologically we can understand Jesus’ teachings on hell as addressing our deepest existential concerns about justice, meaning, and the consequences of our actions. These teachings confront us with the ultimate significance of our choices and challenge us to examine our lives and priorities.(Cook, 2020)

Historically, we must be aware of how interpretations of hell have sometimes been used to manipulate or control people through fear. This is not the spirit of Jesus’ teachings. Instead, his words should lead us to a deeper appreciation of God’s love and a more urgent desire to share that love with others.(Fletcher, 2009, p. 6)

As Christians today, we should approach the topic of hell with great care and pastoral sensitivity. Although we must take Jesus’ warnings seriously, we should always emphasize God’s desire for reconciliation and the good news of salvation available through Christ. We must be careful not to claim certainty about the eternal destiny of any individual, recognizing that judgment belongs to God alone.(Papaioannou & Fudge, 2013)

It’s also important to engage honestly with the difficult questions raised by the doctrine of hell. How do we reconcile eternal punishment with God’s love? How do we understand the justice of hell for those who have never heard the gospel? Although we may not have full answers to these questions, wrestling with them can deepen our faith and our appreciation for the mystery of God’s ways.(Evlampiev et al., 2021, pp. 44–58)

We should also consider how our understanding of hell impacts our mission and witness in the world. Does it lead us to greater compassion for the lost? Does it motivate us to share the good news of God’s love more urgently? Does it inspire us to work for justice and reconciliation in this world?(Mayo, 2015, p. 5)

Christians today should understand Jesus’ teachings on hell as a call to take our relationship with God seriously, to respond to his offer of salvation with gratitude and commitment, and to live lives that reflect his love and justice in the world. We must hold together the reality of God’s judgment and the even greater reality of his mercy and grace.

Let us always remember that the God who warns us about hell is the same God who went to the cross out of love for us. May this powerful truth shape our understanding and guide our lives.

—