Bible Question: Hank, Thanks for your detailed answer. Your view point seems more likely to me as in 1 Peter Jesus says He addressed the disobedient spirits in the days of Noah. That doesn't sound like he's talking about the righteous dead to me. I am beginning to see from some of the answers I've been getting that there are two view points on who Jesus is addressing. Some believe it's wicked spirits as you do and some think it's the righteous dead. A brief thought. Could Jeus have addressed two different groups of people during the 3 days in the center of the earth? Could he have referred to the righteous dead in Matthew 12:40 and the wicked spirits in the days of Noah? I don't know, what do you think? Chusarcik |
Bible Answer: Greetings, Chusarcik ... here is my opinion. Your first question was ... "Matthew 12:40 says after being crucified, Jesus spent three days in the center of the earth. Can anyone explain the purpose of this and what He was doing in the center of the earth?" ... "What was the Jesus' purpose in going to the center of the earth for 3 days?" My answer ... His purpose was to have His body was buried in the center of the earth, which was a tomb (Mat 27:57-28:7) ... as Jonah was entombed in the great fish (Jon 1:17). There are several passages that talk about the punishment of fire (Mat 25:41, Rev 19:19-20) ... there are others ... but none of them say that this place is in the center of the earth. We do not know where hell (this place) is, according to the Bible. Question 2 .... "He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built" The 1 Peter reference, on the other hand, doesn't sound like faithful dead. Why would He refer to all the faithful dead as only specifically the spirits that "disobeyed while the ark was being built". Is he speaking of the same group of people in these two passages? My answer ... Did Christ go to these spirits in prison while He was in the tomb for the 3 days ... or could it be that He preached as the preincarante Christ? I believe the latter. I also think the "spirits (now) in prison, who once were disobedient" (vv 19b-20a) were the seven others with Noah. Remember Noah was the only righteous (Gen 6:9, 7:1) ... I think the others were disobedient before the flood. I am not sure work in them (or anyone) being in prison. Question 3 .... Could Jesus have addressed two different groups of people during the 3 days in the center of the earth? Could he have referred to the righteous dead in Matthew 12:40 and the wicked spirits in the days of Noah? I don't know, what do you think? My answer ... I don't think He addressed anyone during the three days. Luke 23:46 says He committed His spirit to His Father. ... and as I pointed out, His body was buried. |