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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 288 min read

What is the Meaning of Hades in the Bible?

Updated: Sep 29

The term Hades appears in both the Old and New Testaments, and its interpretation carries significant weight for understanding biblical teachings on death, the afterlife, and the resurrection. Derived from the Greek word haiʹdes, Hades is frequently associated with death and the grave, but not in the way often portrayed in mythology or traditional religious thought. Instead, Hades, in the biblical context, is equivalent to the Hebrew concept of Sheol, which refers to the common grave of mankind. To explore this topic thoroughly, we will delve into the scriptural occurrences of Hades, examine its connections to Sheol, and clarify its meaning by contrasting it with both mythological concepts and the Christian teaching of resurrection.



Hades and Its Occurrences in Scripture


The word "Hades" occurs ten times in the earliest manuscripts of the Christian Greek Scriptures. These occurrences can be found in Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; Revelation 1:18, 6:8, and 20:13-14. A notable distinction between various Bible translations is how Hades is rendered. For instance, the King James Version translates Hades as “hell” in most of these texts, while more modern translations, such as the Revised Standard Version, render it as “Hades” with the exception of Matthew 16:18, where it translates the phrase as "powers of death," although the footnote indicates "gates of Hades."


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The Greek Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, uses the word Hades to translate Sheol 60 times, indicating that these two terms are equivalent in their meaning. The New Testament writer Luke, under divine inspiration, made this clear when he quoted Peter's reference to Psalm 16:10 in Acts 2:27, where he equates Hades with Sheol from the Hebrew Scriptures. This linguistic connection demonstrates that Hades is not a place of eternal torment, as often misunderstood, but rather it is the common grave where the dead are placed until the time of resurrection.



Hades as the Common Grave of Mankind


The primary use of Hades in the Christian Greek Scriptures is related to death. Hades is not described as a single tomb or burial place but as the collective grave of all humanity. This is consistent with its Hebrew counterpart Sheol, which likewise refers to the collective resting place of the dead, a place where individuals are unseen. An examination of all ten occurrences of Hades in the New Testament supports this understanding. The word Hades is used to refer to a state of death or the common grave, not an individual grave (Greek taphos) or memorial tomb (Greek mne·meiʹon), as shown by a comparison of texts such as Matthew 11:23 and Revelation 20:13, 14.



Hades in Jesus' Teachings: Matthew 11:23 and Luke 10:15


In Matthew 11:23, Jesus rebukes the city of Capernaum, saying, "And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades." Similarly, in Luke 10:15, the same reproach is directed at Capernaum. Here, Hades represents the depth of debasement and humiliation that Capernaum would experience as a result of its failure to respond to the ministry of Jesus. This figurative use of Hades is comparable to how Sheol is used in Job 11:8, where it is said that the knowledge of Jehovah is "as deep as Sheol," signifying its profound, hidden nature. Thus, Jesus uses Hades to emphasize the impending judgment and downfall of Capernaum, contrasting its former exaltation with the shame it will face due to its rejection of His works.



Hades and the Promise of Deliverance: Matthew 16:18


In Matthew 16:18, Jesus speaks of His congregation, saying, "I will build my congregation, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." This statement has often been misinterpreted, but when we understand Hades as the common grave, the meaning becomes clear. Jesus is not referring to an eternal realm of torment; rather, He is promising that death itself—represented by the gates of Hades—will not be able to hold or permanently overpower those who are part of His congregation. This connects directly to the promise of resurrection.


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In the Old Testament, King Hezekiah, on the verge of death, lamented, "I said, In the middle of my days I shall go into the gates of Sheol" (Isaiah 38:10). Here, Sheol—like Hades—is pictured as having gates, indicating that it is a place where the dead are confined. However, Jesus’ promise is that these gates will not prevail against His people. Just as Christ was delivered from Hades through resurrection, so too will His faithful followers be delivered when they are raised from the dead.



Jesus’ Victory Over Hades


Peter’s words at Pentecost in 33 C.E. shed further light on the nature of Hades and Jesus' victory over it. In Acts 2:27, Peter quotes Psalm 16:10, saying, “Because you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow your Holy One to see corruption.” Peter explains that David was still in Hades (Acts 2:29), but Jesus was not left there; He was resurrected from the dead. As a result, Jesus holds the "keys of death and of Hades" (Revelation 1:18), signifying His authority over the grave and His power to release its captives through resurrection.


This authority over Hades and death is integral to Jesus’ role in God’s redemptive plan. As Paul explains in Romans 6:9, "For we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him." Jesus' resurrection not only confirmed His victory over Hades but also provided the assurance that all who die in Him will likewise be raised.



The Figurative Use of Hades: Revelation 6:8


In Revelation 6:8, Hades is used figuratively alongside Death, personified as a rider on a pale horse. The text says, "And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him." This image paints a vivid picture of the devastation caused by war, famine, plagues, and wild beasts, with Hades symbolizing the inevitable fate of those who fall victim to these calamities. Here, Hades represents the grave, which follows in the wake of death, receiving those who perish.


This figurative use of Hades emphasizes the temporary nature of its hold on the dead. Just as death is depicted as having authority over the fallen, Hades receives them into the grave. Yet, the later chapters of Revelation make it clear that this is not the end for those in Hades. The dead will be released, and death itself will be destroyed.



The End of Hades: Revelation 20:13-14


Revelation 20:13-14 offers a glimpse into the future of Hades: "The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and they were judged, each one of them according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire."


This passage portrays the ultimate defeat of death and Hades. At the time of the final judgment, Hades will be emptied of all its dead, and both death and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire, symbolizing their complete destruction. This signifies the end of the common grave, as well as the end of death itself as inherited from Adam. The lake of fire represents the "second death," which is eternal destruction. Once death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire, they cease to exist, and the redeemed will experience eternal life, free from the curse of death (Revelation 21:4).



The Rich Man and Lazarus: Luke 16:22-26


One of the most frequently misunderstood uses of Hades appears in the account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:22-26. In this parable, the rich man is depicted as being in Hades, suffering in flames, while Lazarus is comforted in Abraham’s bosom. Some have taken this passage to imply that Hades is a place of conscious torment for the wicked. However, a closer examination reveals that the language of the parable is symbolic and not meant to be understood literally.


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The rich man and Lazarus parable is part of a series of parables that Jesus used to teach spiritual lessons. The context of the parable, which addresses the Pharisees' love of money (Luke 16:14), indicates that Jesus was using a well-known story or imagery to convey a moral point. The language employed—such as the rich man’s request for water and the great chasm between him and Lazarus—are not descriptions of a literal afterlife but are meant to illustrate the irreversible consequences of one's actions in life. Furthermore, the rich man is described as being "buried" in Hades, which further reinforces the understanding that Hades represents the common grave of mankind, not a place of eternal torment.


The preceding texts of Scripture make it clear that Hades refers to the state of death and not a place of ongoing suffering. This symbolic use of Hades in the parable serves to emphasize the finality of divine judgment and the importance of repentance in this life.



Conclusion: The True Nature of Hades


Throughout Scripture, Hades is consistently portrayed as the common grave of mankind, a temporary state from which the dead will be released at the time of resurrection. It is not a place of eternal torment, as is often misconstrued in popular culture and some religious traditions. Instead, Hades represents the condition of being dead, unseen, and awaiting the resurrection that Jesus Christ promised to all who put their faith in Him.


The biblical teaching on Hades aligns with the overall message of hope found in the Scriptures. Although death entered the world through sin, Jehovah has provided a way for deliverance through His Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Through Jesus’ resurrection, the gates of Hades are opened, and the final victory over death is assured.


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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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