Things Jesus (and other Bible writers) said about Hell

Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from the sky and destroyed them all. It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed.
Luke 17:28-30

Remember Lot's wife! Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.
Luke 17:32, 33

But bring those enemies of mine who didn't want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.' "
Luke 19:27

They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others." When they heard that, they said, "May that never be!"
Luke 20:15, 16

But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. For they can't die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
Luke 20:35, 36

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Whoever (i.e. "only whoever") lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:26

He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.
John 12:25

If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burnt.
John 15:6

Who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practise them.
Romans 1:32

For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
Romans 2:12

What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:21-23

For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:13

What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
Romans 9:22

Don't grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall.
1 Corinthians 10:10-12

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1 Corinthians 15:17, 18

For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved and in those who perish: to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:15, 16

For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10

For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:3

Punishing those who don't know God, and to those who don't obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9

For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8

Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
Philippians 1:27, 28

For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
Philippians 3:18, 19

For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:27

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39

Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death.
James 1:15

Brothers, if any amongst you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19, 20

But false prophets also arose amongst the people, as false teachers will also be amongst you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1

But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed, receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, revelling in their deceit while they feast with you;
2 Peter 2:12, 13

But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, having in the same way as these given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are shown as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
Jude 1:7

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8

4. Illustrations of Hell.

In the Old Testament there are at least three distinct events which give pictures of hell. These are (i) the flood of Noah's time, (ii) the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and (iii) the destruction of Jericho. In all these three illustrations it was divine intervention that brought death and destruction as the punishment for continued and unrepented sin. The destruction included not only the men but also women, children, animals and property.

In the case of the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah, Jesus himself draws attention to the comparison with hell:

"As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn't know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:37-39

Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that city.
Matthew 10:14, 15

You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.
Matthew 11:23

A forth illustration of hell is Gehenna itself. The word means Valley of Hinnom and it was a real place near Jerusalem. This valley was used as a public dump where garbage, dead animals, corpses of criminals, and all manner of uncleanness was constantly burned and left to decompose and decay. However, this very place was the same place where King Ahaz had sacrificed his children to the Baals (2 Chronicles 28:1-3) and King Manasseh had done the same and practised witchcraft (2 Chronicles 33:6). It was later, that King Josiah defiled and ruined this idolatrous place making it the rubbish dump that it was at the time of Jesus. (2 Kings 23:10). Gehenna, this place of ruin, destruction and decay was the place that Jesus constantly likened to hell:

You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgement of Gehenna?
Matthew 23:33

Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Matthew 10:28

"I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:4, 5

If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.
Matthew 18:9

5. Verses which suggest Hell has the nature of Fire

In many verses and most of Jesus' sayings about hell (particularly in regards to Gehenna), the analogy used is fire. In most Bible references, as in ordinary life, fire is synonymous with destruction. It may also be used in the sense of refinement through the burning away of unwanted material to purify that which it cannot be burnt (as in 2 Corinthians 13:12-13).

There are also other examples to to be aware of:

1. God himself is described as a consuming fire in Hebrews 12:29
2. The Holy Spirit is represented by fire as in Acts 2:3,4
3. Fire is seen as a barrier to prevent passage in Genesis 3:24 - significantly to prevent the possibility of eternal life, see Genesis 3:22.
4. In the burning bush which Moses encounters, fire is in the bush but it is miraculously not consumed because the Angel of the Lord was in the flame. See Exodus 3:2,3.
5. The occasion when Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were destroyed by fire from God due to disobedience. See Leviticus 10:1,2
6. The occasion when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were unharmed in the fiery furnace again because the Angel of the Lord was with them. See Daniel 3:25

The word "Gehenna" which Jesus mostly uses to illustrate hell was a real place outside Jerusalem where the city waste was burned. Jesus also uses the illustration of fire in connection with Hades (see Luke 16:24).

But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgement. Whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
Matthew 5:22

If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.
Matthew 18:9

Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:19

As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burnt with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:40-42

So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from amongst the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 13:49, 50

If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
Matthew 18:8

Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
Matthew 25:41

If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burnt.
John 15:6

He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.'
Luke 16:24

6. Comment

Jesus makes it clear in Luke 16:19-31, that Hades is a place of conscious torment. We remember that Hades is the place where "the wicked" go to await judgement and they maybe in that state for a very considerable period of time. However, the commonly held view that Gehenna (the "Lake of Eternal Fire") is also a place of conscious torment appears to be brought into some doubt by the many verses listed above (Section 3.) in both Old and New Testaments, which are saying that the "wicked" are brought to ultimate destruction. Therefore the issue is; are the "wicked" (i.e. those who do not accept and believe in Jesus) subject to eternal torment or death?

The verses commonly used to support the doctrine of eternal torment were listed above in Section 2. and are now repeated with some comments:

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. The LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Nahum 1:3

This verse establishes the justice of God; the guilty will not escape unpunished even though that punishment may be delayed for a long time. The punishment itself can include consequences in this life and in the life to come. But this verse does not exclude the possibility that the punishment is destruction (or perishing).

You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgement of Gehenna?
Matthew 23:33

In this verse the phrase "judgement of Gehenna" clearly refers to the God's judgement of unbelievers leading to God's pronouncement that they are to go to "Gehenna" (hell or the lake of fire). There is no escape from the judgement of Gehenna, that is, other than the escape provided through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death. But again this verse doesn't clearly say that "the judgement of Gehenna" means "eternal existence in the fire" or "perishing in the fire" though it is clear that the fire itself is eternal (see next verse).

Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
Matthew 25:41

Here we see clearly stated that the fire is eternal. Those unbelievers and enemies of Jesus must depart into the fire. The assumption may be that if the fire is eternal then so is the sentence, but here again this is might not be the only interpretation. Scripture clearly says (i) Hades (before judgement) is a place of conscious regret and anguish; (ii) that the fires of Gehenna are eternal and (iii) that Satan will be tormented eternally in Gehenna (hell) but again the existence of Satan's Kingdom (his followers) with Satan in hell under the same eternal torment is not very explicitly stated.

Only on two occasions in the Bible did fire not consume things or people - the burning bush and fiery furnace and in both cases the Lord was in the flame.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Matthew 25:46

In this verse, Jesus makes the contrast between eternal punishment and eternal life. But the punishment for sin is death. Had Jesus said eternal torment or even eternal punishing this would probably be enough to settle the issue but the expression eternal punishment could appear to suggest death from which there is no possibility of resurrection, in other words eternal death.

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.' If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched- 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.' If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into God's Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.' For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Mark 9:43-50

The expression "their worm doesn't die" is often taken to mean that those in hell are conscious. However the expression is taken from Isaiah 66:24 ("They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.") which actually refers to "death". So the question is whether the term "worm" refers to the "conscious soul" (or "conscience") of those in the lake of fire or the "agent (and proof) of their decay" (i.e. literal worms). It would perhaps seem that the latter is more in keeping with the illustration of Gehenna as a rubbish dump and could represent the eternal memory to the destruction and permanent decay and annihilation of the "wicked".

The expression "everyone will be salted with fire" is difficult and there are differences in interpretation. It is often taken to confirm continued conscious existence in Gehenna where the heat of the fire, and endless torment, will ensure that sin has no place. But the context of this passage is holiness in this life and the expression "salted with fire" could refer to the purification of the Christian by the Holy Spirit. This would be a significant contrast in meaning: on one hand God's fiery wrath having a penal effect on the "wicked", restraining sin, and on the other hand, the fire of the Holy Spirit having a purifying and saving effect on believers.

Mark 9:43-50 may seem a strong evidence for eternal conscious torment but even this is not explicitly stated and putting aside tradition, the simple meaning of the words "going into unquenchable fire" do not suggest the possibility of staying alive.

Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that city.
Matthew 10:14, 15

In his teaching he said to them, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces, and the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts: those who devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
Mark 12:38-40

The above two verses also seem to give strong evidence for conscious torment because they indicate the possibility of degrees of punishment. This would go against the notion of all sin punishable by death but align with the the notion of reward for good deeds. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."). Another difficulty is how God will judge those who had no or little opportunity to hear about the Gospel or God's word. Romans 1:18-20 says that no-one can claim this as an excuse; ("For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.") however we know that God must be just in his dealings with all people.

So is the annihilation view of hell compatible with degrees of condemnation? And if it is not, we are close to saying some sins are worse than others or can be partly justified by circumstances such as ignorance of the gospel. These seem to be issues that we cannot clearly define.

Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:9-11

At first this verse appears to confirm torment for those people taking the mark of the beast. However there is perhaps some doubt because (i) it appears limited to those taking the mark of the beast and (ii) it says that this torment will be in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. Although it has been said that "the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb" in hell indicates that those in hell will be aware of a better existence for which they have no hope of attaining, it does still seem strange to say that angels will be present in hell. It is perhaps possible that it is by the presence of the Lamb that those in hell are kept alive in the fire though this seem to be rather speculative. So is there possibly some reasonable doubt that this refers to something other that Gehenna? and therefore although these verse seem to confirm eternal torment there is still some uncertainty.

Also, note that this verse is appears similar to Isaiah 34:8-10 "For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Its streams will be turned into pitch, its dust into sulphur, and its land will become burning pitch. It won't be quenched night nor day. Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it will lie waste. No one will pass through it forever and ever."

When talking about hell, Jesus uses the terms "destroy soul and body" and "perish" which do not suggest eternal torment. Also in the parable of the darnel weeds, although there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, the illustration is that of burning away the unwanted weeds. Also the parallels that Jesus draws of the day of judgment are the flood of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah

The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10, 15

Revelation 20:10 is the most clear statement in the Bible concerning eternal torment. However these verses only apply to the devil, the beast and the false prophet. It is only by assumption, not a clear statement, that we might expect others cast into the same lake of fire also to experience eternal torment. Could it be that only this unholy trinity of Satan, his beast and false prophet are kept alive in hell?

7. Final Remarks

7.1 Death

It is clear from Genesis 2:17 and Romans 6:23 that God's judgement for sin is death. The question then is does death actually mean death or eternal conscious torment?

It is often said that in the Bible, death means separation of body and spirit because man was created not to die. So death of the body is separation of the spirit from that body and the "second death" which occurs after a resurrection and then judgement is separation from God. But this does imply that life is possible, however unpleasant, when separated from God. This does seem strange unless the separation is not complete as any created life other than God himself must presumably rely on certain parameters and resources which can only be derived from God. It would seem natural to assume that whilst separation of the sinner from a holy God is required, death does ultimately mean termination of life rather than endless life, albeit subject to torment.

That the end of the "wicked" is separation from God is made clear in the Matthew 25:41 by the words "Depart from me". But whilst this verse says that the fire of hell is eternal it does not follow that those that depart into the fire remain alive in it. Matthew 13:49 refers to the "weeping and gnashing of teeth" at this time but again it does not follow that this "weeping and gnashing of teeth" continues eternally; it may refer only to the time the judgement is made and until the sentence (casting into the fire) is actually enacted.

Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
Matthew 25:41

So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from amongst the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 13:49, 50

Both in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23) and in heaven to come (Revelation 22:2) immortality appears only possible by access to the tree of life. Whatever is meant by this expression it appears that some divine sustenance was in place in Eden and will be required in heaven for human beings to live for ever. But there is no mention of any tree of life in hell. If God is needed for continuance of life in heaven, surely he would also be needed for the continuance of life in hell. Would God not hold back such a provision needed to sustain life in hell?

Don't marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgement.
John 5:29

Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14

Here we read Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. They have served their purpose are are surely destroyed in the fire, not eternally preserved.

7.2 The Works of the Devil

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8

If we understand the "works of the devil" to include his followers then this verse is very significant to the issue. We then conclude from this verse that everything Satan has taken from God through deceit and cruel domination (his kingdom of rebellion) will be taken from him and destroyed bringing his works to nothing. Perhaps only Satan as the highest created being will remain in eternity to exist in failure and torment. Contrast this with Jesus who built his kingdom on truth and mercy, that kingdom will be preserved into a glorious future in eternity.

7.3 Evangelism

In previous centuries, some Bible preachers tended to place more emphasis on judgement and eternal conscious torment in hell to persuade hearers by a sense of fear. That style has in some considerable measure given way to more emphasis on the love and grace of God to persuade hearers by a sense of need. The message of hell has been largely omitted, perhaps due to Christians not being comfortable with eternal torment or perhaps due to the bad reaction received resulting in very few converts. If it is Biblical to think of hell in terms of ultimate destruction and perishing it might allow the preaching of hell to be more acceptable and better received. Jesus did speak freely of hell and uses the word "perish" in the most famous verse in the Bible: John 3:16. (Remembering that there is still a long period of remembering missed opportunities, anguish and intense regret for unbelievers while they await judgment in hades.)

7.4 Conclusion

It seems wise not to hold an opinion on eternal torment versus annihilation too strongly because there are verses which seem to support both ideas. Certainly the more notable and historical evangelical christians favour the view of eternal torment, however we have tried to show that at least some verses appear to support the idea of annihilation in hell and therefore maybe this also is an "honest" Biblical position for which God could not hold its christian supporters worthy of blame. If it can be said that the issue is not precisely defined in scripture then God does not intend us to know with certainty. What is revealed with certainty is that hell is the awful destiny of unbelievers and can only be escaped by accepting the salvation offered by faith in Jesus Christ.