Protestant Point of View Two scriptures must be considered when dealing with the journeys of Jesus between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection:
- Luke 23:43 - Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'
This was spoken during Friday afternoon, just before His death. He then expired on Friday, and ascended to Paradise. He did not say they were going to Sheol, or Hades, nor Abraham's bosom. Other references to Paradise in the N.T. all point to the heavens and the 'paradise of God, where the Tree of Life was. (Revelation 2:7) This could not hardly be any part of the underworld.
So, why would Jesus need to go to the Presence of God right away? According to the fulfillment of O.T. typology, the blood of the slain Lamb had to be placed on the Altar (Ark) by the high priest. This is confirmed by Hebrews 9. (See Ephesians 1:7, In Him we have redemption through His blood.)
- Secondly, Matthew 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. The Victim had to be recognized as the Victor. The Prince of Life had to be crowned as the King of Kings. Jesus went to the Father to be coronated!
We know that He was not coronated after His physical Ascension, when He finally sat down at the Father's right hand, because before His Ascension, Jesus declared that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me! (Matthew 28:18). That this is possible is underscored by the fact that Jesus spent 40 days before His Ascension teaching about the "Kingdom of God". He was well qualified to do this because He was its enthroned Coronated King!
Other events of Jesus during this time period are dealt with by the above comments and articles listed. The Creeds do not have the same weight as scripture, and can be misleading. What is meant by O.T. and N.T. verses which mention Hades is open to several interpretations.