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End Times & Eternity

What Does the Bible Say About Hell?

Contrary to popular assumption, Jesus spoke about hell more than any other figure in the New Testament. He used vivid imagery — 'outer darkness,' 'weeping and gnashing of teeth,' 'eternal fire' — to warn of the consequences of rejecting God. The Bible presents hell not as God's revenge but as the just consequence of choosing separation from God, who is the source of all good.

Key Bible Verses

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Matthew 25:46Study this verse

"Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."

Revelation 20:14–15Study this verse

"They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might."

2 Thessalonians 1:9Study this verse

"And throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 13:50Study this verse

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."

Common Questions

Is hell eternal according to the Bible?

Matthew 25:46 uses the same Greek word (aionios) for both 'eternal punishment' and 'eternal life,' implying both are equally permanent. Revelation 20:10 describes the lake of fire where 'they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.' Most evangelical scholars affirm eternal conscious punishment, though annihilationism (eternal destruction rather than torment) is also defended by some.

Who goes to hell according to the Bible?

John 3:36 says those who 'reject the Son' face God's wrath. Revelation 21:8 lists 'the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars.' The consistent theme is unrepentant rejection of God and his ways. The remedy is faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Did Jesus really believe in hell?

Yes — Jesus spoke about hell more than any other New Testament figure. He warned of 'Gehenna' (the Greek word translated 'hell') 11 times in the Gospels. He described it as a place of 'eternal fire' (Matthew 25:41), 'outer darkness' (Matthew 8:12), and 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' (Matthew 13:42). His warnings were motivated by love — he died to save people from it.

Explore Scripture Deeper

Ask any question about hell — or any other topic — and get answers grounded entirely in Scripture.