What does “hell” mean here?
The answer partly depends on what is meant by “hell”. In older English Bible translations, “hell” can sometimes translate the Greek word Hades, meaning the realm of the dead. That is not necessarily the same as the final place of judgement described elsewhere in Scripture.
When Peter speaks about Jesus not being left in “hell”, he is drawing on a psalm to say that Jesus was not abandoned to death or decay (Acts 2:31). Jesus really died, but death did not have the final word over him. He was raised bodily on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4).
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Jesus spoke of Paradise
As Jesus was dying, a criminal crucified beside him asked to be remembered. Jesus answered with a promise that they would be together in Paradise that day (Luke 23:43). In the Bible, Paradise is language of blessing and nearness to God, not a place of punishment.
Jesus’ final prayer also shows his trust in the Father as he died, placing his spirit into the Father’s hands (Luke 23:46). For this reason, many Christians conclude that after his death Jesus entered the Father’s presence, rather than going to a place of torment.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
What about the spirits in prison?
First Peter says that Christ went and preached to “spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19). The verse itself does not explain who these spirits were, when this happened, or what Christ preached. It also does not directly say that they were human dead people or that Jesus was suffering in hell.
Christians have understood this passage in different ways. Some take it as Christ announcing his victory to rebellious spiritual beings. Others connect it with people in Noah’s day, or understand Peter to be describing Christ speaking through Noah before the flood. Since the passage is brief and difficult, it is best to hold these interpretations with humility.
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
What can be said with confidence?
The New Testament is clear that Jesus’ sacrifice for sins was completed in his death. Before he died, he declared his work finished (John 19:30), and Peter says that Christ suffered for sins to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Scripture does not present his death as incomplete, requiring further suffering after the cross.
So, Christians may differ about whether Jesus descended to Hades in some sense and how 1 Peter 3:19 should be read. But Scripture does not plainly say that he went to hell to be punished. The central hope is secure: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day, overcoming death for all who trust him (1 Corinthians 15:4; Romans 10:9).