Q:Why did Jesus tell the thief on the cross he would be with him today in paradise if Jesus went to hell first and didn't rise until the third day?

A:The descent into hell is a confusing question for many and confusion over when Christ descended into hell is compounded by the order in which Christ's death, descent, and resurrection is presented to us in the Apostles' Creed: "Christ suffered, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again from the dead."

Although it is true that Christ did all of those things, there is some confusion as to the exact timing of each of these events. Biblically, the descent into hell is based on 1 Peter 3:18-19: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison." Notice the order given in these verses: (1) Christ died; (2) Christ was made alive by the Spirit; (3) Christ, through the Spirit, descended into hell to proclaim victory over Satan.

Finally, the exact moment of Christ's descent into hell is unknown to us and unimportant. That is why the Lutheran Church teaches, "We simply believe that the entire person, God and human being, descended to hell after his burial, conquered the devil, destroyed the power of hell, and took from the devil all his power" (SD IX:2). It is notable, however, that Jesus, immediately before his death, commends himself not to hell, but to his Father: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). Thus, just a few verses before this, when Jesus says, "Today, you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43), the repentant thief who dies next to him would have been able to joyfully receive this promise knowing that Jesus resides in victory with his Father.