Although Jesus uses the term hades on only two occasions in Matthew, He emphasizes that the judgment of the wicked will be based on their opportunity to respond (Matt. 11:21-24) and that the defensive gates of hades will not be able to withstand the Gospel’s assault (Matt. 16:18).

Jesus’ uses of the term gehenna warn of the danger of hell fire (Matt. 5:22) and the relative insignificance of losing a bodily part (and going to heaven) in comparison to remaining whole but being wholly lost (Matt. 5:29-30). Similar hyperbolic language of self-mutilation is used by Jesus on a second occasion in Matthew 18:9.

Perhaps anticipating the persecution of His disciples, Jesus reminds them whom to fear. God is the One to be feared, for He alone has the power to “destroy both soul and body in hell,” (or gehenna, Matt. 10:28).

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew indicates that He knew of hell’s reality. One might ask, “If we are on our way to hell, wouldn’t it make sense for Jesus to first tell us how to avoid that destination? If we were in a spiritually neutral condition, then perhaps instruction about heaven might be more appropriate.”

However, no one is spiritually neutral. Every human being is either in the category of the “sheep” who are doing God’s will or “goats” who are outside the His will. Eternal destinies await both — “eternal life” or “eternal punishment” (Matt. 25:46).[1]

Larry Dixon

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End notes:

[1] Larry Dixon, The Other Side of the Good News [Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1992], 156.

See also:

HELL UNDER FIRE

REMEMBERING THE AWFUL REALITY OF HELL 

HELL—THE FURNACE OF FIRE