What Does the Bible Say About Hell?
The Bible speaks about hell seriously and soberly, most often on the lips of Jesus Himself. It is described as the final destiny of those who reject God, pictured as separation from Him and conscious punishment.
What the Bible says
- Scripture
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matthew 25:46 Jesus sets two eternal destinies side by side: everlasting punishment and life eternal.
- Scripture
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15 Revelation pictures final judgment as a lake of fire for those not found in the book of life.
- Scripture
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 tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:24 In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus describes conscious torment and a fixed divide.
A grounded way to understand this
Christians differ on some details of how to understand these passages, but the Bible's warning is plain. The same Bible that warns of hell also holds out rescue: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
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People also ask
Is hell real according to the Bible?
Yes. Jesus spoke of hell more than anyone else in Scripture, describing it as a place of "everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46) and outer darkness (Matthew 8:12).
Who goes to hell?
The Bible says those whose names are "not found written in the book of life" face judgment (Revelation 20:15), while those who believe in Christ receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Do Christians agree on what hell is like?
All major Christian traditions affirm hell is real and to be soberly warned about. They differ on details such as the exact nature and duration of punishment, which is why this page stays close to the words of Scripture itself.
Every answer is grounded in Scripture (KJV) and written to bring clarity, comfort, and truth.