Many believers think about Jesus' teaching primarily in connection with the "good stuff" – His promises of help and hope, and His call to love God and one another. But Jesus also spoke on several occasions about hell, even though people may want to ignore those statements. Here are seven things that Jesus said about hell that every believer should understand.
1. Fear Him Who Can Destroy Both Soul and Body in Hell
Contrary to what some people think – or want to believe – Jesus clearly taught that hell is real. Throughout His ministry, He taught that belief in Him is the determining factor in whether someone is part of His kingdom. For example, in Matthew 10, Jesus teaches His followers what it means to be His disciples. When He sends them out to proclaim His kingdom, He reminds them that the eternal is more important than temporal events. "And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28 NASB).
If hell is not real, why would Jesus warn His disciples about it in such literal and graphic terms?
2. In Hades, He Raised His Eyes, Being in Torment
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus talks about hell in the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Some people call this story a parable, but that could mistakenly lead people to assume that His description of hell is not real. This passage is not a made-up story that exaggerates the consequences of rejecting God; it is an actual account that shows us the reality of hell.
Jesus says that the rich man is both "in Hades" and "in torment." He looks far off, sees Abraham and Lazarus and begs Abraham to send Lazarus to him for relief from his torment. He describes his condition as "agony." But Abraham tells the rich man that he cannot send Lazarus, because "between us and you a great chasm has been set, so that those who want to go over there from here are not able, nor will any people cross over from there to us" (Luke 16:26). By Jesus' own description, there is no possibility of people passing over from hell to heaven, or vice versa. Jesus' account also makes it clear that death is the "cut-off"; once the rich man had died and was in hell, his eternal fate was fixed.
3. It is Better For You to Enter Life Maimed Than Having Two Hands, to Go Into Hell, Into the Unquenchable Fire
It seems obvious to say, but Jesus makes it clear: the consequences of eternity are far more important than any hardships or challenges that mortal life may present. In Mark 9, Jesus discusses the absolute priority of eternity. After warning against causing those who believe in Him to sin, Jesus goes on: "And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed, than, having two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire" (Mark 9:43). He goes on to make similar remarks about our feet and our eyes (verses 45 and 47).
Some commentators have pointed out that Jesus is clearly using hyperbole here. After all, the early church was not made up of people who had cut off hands or feet! But even if Jesus was using hyperbole, that doesn't invalidate His teaching about hell. The key is this: eternity in God's kingdom is so important that disciples should be on guard against anything that might lead them astray. Jesus makes a similar point in the parables of the treasure in a field and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46) – the kingdom is worth any price that a person might "pay" to gain it. Likewise, hell is so awful that a person should do whatever it takes to avoid it.
4. They will Throw Them Into the Furnace of Fire; in that Place There Will Be Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth
In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches several parables related to the kingdom of God. He begins with the "Parable of the Sower," which describes different responses to the message of the kingdom. He then teaches the "Parable of the Weeds," in which an enemy sows weeds among the landowner's crops. He follows that with two short parables – the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price (see above). Both before and after those two parables, Jesus teaches about the final judgment – the separation of the evil and the good. The first is the "Parable of the Weeds"; the second is a story about a net full of every kind of fish. Both parables end with the separation of the wicked from the good and the punishment of the wicked.
In the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30), the landowner's workers ask if they should pull the weeds out of the field now, while the crop is still growing. The landowner tells them not to, but to wait until the harvest, when the reapers will separate the weeds from the grain. Jesus later explains the parable this way: "So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:40-42).
5. Not Everyone Who Says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
In Matthew chapters 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus presents His first extensive teaching to His disciples. That teaching is not what we might call elementary; these are not baby steps! In chapter 7, He cautions them against judging others, and instead calls them to treat others as they would like to be treated. He warns them that the road to life is "straight and narrow," and that not many find it.
Jesus then says: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." He points out that many people will misunderstand what it means to do God's will. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS'" (Matthew 7:21-23).
People tend to focus on human actions – like prophesying, casting out demons, or doing miracles. It's obvious why; how could someone do those things without God's help? Evidently, it's possible to do "God's work" in God's power with the wrong motives – seeking human glory instead of divine approval. It's not enough to do what people think is "good"; instead, the key is to do what God wants, in God's way, and on God's timetable.
6. I Was Hungry, and You Gave Me Nothing to Eat
Jesus also teaches that some will be surprised to hear their fate at the judgment. This is hard to hear because it seems to contradict what the Bible teaches about God's ability to keep us in His will. But both Matthew 7 (the passage just discussed) and Matthew 25 indicate that some will be surprised by God's judgment. In Matthew 25, Jesus says that there will be those who will hear: "I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat…" They will respond: "When did we do that?" The answer will be: "to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either" (Matthew 25:41-45). Jesus closes this teaching with the warning that those who do not welcome "the least of these" will go away to eternal punishment, while the righteous will go to eternal life (Matthew 25:46).
7. To the One Who Overcomes
In contrast to things that Jesus said about hell that people might prefer to ignore, Jesus also offers encouragement and hope. In Revelation 2-3, Jesus directs John to write letters to the seven churches of Asia. Each of those letters concludes with a statement which begins, "To the one who overcomes…" Those statements are promises, but they are also reminders: those who follow Jesus are not passive observers! But along with the call to overcome is the promise of divine help and eternal victory with Jesus. But even though that's encouraging, it's also a challenge: the call to discipleship is to embrace the life and death of Jesus actively.
How Do Jesus' Statements About Hell Motivate His Followers?
Jesus' teaching about hell is not primarily designed to "scare people out of hell." He taught His followers about hell to motivate them to follow Him completely. His teaching also challenges and encourages us to follow Him and to trust in God's promises to protect us and bring us through the challenges that Satan throws our way. The promises to "the one who overcomes" remind believers that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and that He is ready to help us to overcome.
Finally, Jesus' statements about hell also motivate us to share the good news with others! Because hell is so bad, we should do all that we can to help others come to faith in Him. Jesus came to "seek and save the lost" from hell, and to give them eternal life. As His disciples, we should strive to lead others to Him.
