Jesus in Hell

John Chrysostom (347-407) the golden-tongued preacher of the late fourth century said this in a sermon about what the Cross of Jesus has achieved in our salvation and the entire redemption of all creation:

“He has destroyed death by undoing death.

He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.

He vexed it even as it tasted his own flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he cried:

Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;

Filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;

Filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;

Filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;

Filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains

Hell received a body, and encountered God.

It received earth and confronted heaven.

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?’