Biblical Context: Hell
DB Ryen
In New Testament theology, Hades came to refer to the place of the dead as a location, rather than a deity personified, like the Greeks believed.
Length: Short, 245 words
There was a rich man that dressed in purple and sea silk, happily living every day in luxury. A poor, ulcerated man named Lazarus was at his gate, longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s chest, and the rich man died and was buried too. In hell, he was in torment, but lifting his eyes he sees Abraham far away with Lazarus on his chest. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip his fingertip in water to cool my tongue, because I’m tormented by this flame!”
– The Story of Jesus 23.5
[Adapted from Lk 16:19-24]
Hades (called Pluto by the Romans) was the Greek god of the underworld. According to mythology, he received his dominion in a division of worldwide sovereignty between his two brothers (Zeus received heaven to rule, while Poseidon received the sea). Hades’ wife was Persephone, whom he abducted after falling in love with her. His dog, Cerberus, guarded the gates of the underworld and prevented those who crossed the river Styx from returning. In New Testament theology, Hades came to refer to the place of the dead as a location, rather than a deity personified, equivalent to the Hebrew word sheol (“grave”). In English, Hades is essentially hell, a place of constant suffering and separation from God.
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The “third heaven” was the world beyond the physical realm. It was the spiritual realm of angels and demons, where non-physical beings like God himself were clearly seen and heard.
The Greek word daimon referred to a spiritual being, but without the negative connotation that the word carries today.
