The concept of “gates of hell” originates from a few key passages in the Bible that mention gates in reference to the realm of the dead or the powers of evil. Though the phrase “gates of hell” itself is not found verbatim in Scripture, it has become a common colloquial expression summarizing certain biblical teachings about the demonic and the afterlife. Examining the biblical evidence provides insight into what the “gates of hell” might refer to.
Use of “Gates” as Access Points
In ancient walled cities, gates served as access points and places where leaders made important decisions (Deuteronomy 16:18; Ruth 4:1). Gates could therefore symbolize authority, power, and judgment. This explains why Scripture sometimes uses “gates” metaphorically. For example, speaking of prevailing against persecution, Jesus told Peter, “the gates of Hades will not overpower [the church]” (Matthew 16:18). Here, “gates” projects an image of evil powers menacing the church.
Likewise, when Isaiah declared, “her gates shall lament and mourn” (Isaiah 3:26), he pictured gates anthropomorphically to represent the mourning of the judged city. These passages portray “gates” as symbolic access points to seats of power, dominion, and authority—in these cases, evil powers.
The Gate of the Afterlife
The Old Testament depicts the realm of the dead as having gates that shut people in after death. For example, describing the hopelessness of death, Job said those entering the realm of the dead “go never to return…their gate behind them is shut” (Job 10:21-22). In speaking of national exile for sin, God warned Israel they would be “brought down…to the netherworld…and the gates thereof…covered over them” (Isaiah 38:10). Though not specifically mentioned, these verses imply gates as entry points to the land of the dead barring exit.
Jesus may have had this concept in mind when speaking of “the gates of Hades,” portraying death’s power to confine the dead from returning to the realm of the living (Matthew 16:18). The book of Revelation describes “gates of Hades” releasing the dead on the day of judgment (Revelation 20:13). Here again, “gates” represent the boundary between the world of the dead and the living. Biblically, the idea of gates in the afterlife highlights death’s power to usher people into an unescapable fate.
The Gates of Hell
“Hell” translates the Greek Hades and Hebrew Sheol, signifying the abode of the dead. Sometimes it simply refers to the grave. Views of the afterlife in Hades/Sheol vary in Scripture from unconsciousness in the dust to eternity in torment. Whatever the precise nature, passages about the gates of Hades depict the afterlife’s inescapability.
The Bible also portrays demonic powers and evil spirit beings operating in rebellion against God, with Satan chief among them. References to gates when mentioning these menacing spiritual forces likely represent the domain and powers of darkness. For example, God condemned Jerusalem for her sins and prophesied, “your gates shall lament and mourn” (Isaiah 3:26). Here, “gates” stood poetically for the realm of wicked powers ruling the city.
Thus, while not a verbatim phrase, “gates of hell” conveys a biblical concept. It communicates that hell (the powers of darkness and death) has a kind of portal or entry point (“gates”) into its domain—signifying the menacing authority these evil powers have to confine people to an inescapable fate in the afterlife. But Jesus promised these sinister powers would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).
Sheol/Hades in the Old Testament
The Old Testament most often refers to the abode of the dead with the Hebrew word Sheol. Sometimes translated simply as “grave” or “death,” Sheol more broadly refers to the realm of the dead inhabiting the depths of the earth (Numbers 16:30-33; Psalm 141:7). The ancient Israelites viewed the grave as a shadowy, unconscious place the dead descend to, never to return to the land of the living (Job 10:21; Psalm 88:10-12).
Yet some texts also suggest shades or remnants of the dead in Sheol (Isaiah 14:9; Psalm 88:10), possibly indicating some form of conscious afterlife there. References associating Sheol with punishment like fire and worms (Isaiah 66:24) could imply a place of suffering for the wicked after death. However, many scholars remain divided on how developed Israelite beliefs in the afterlife were at this stage. Regardless, the Old Testament presents Sheol as the final abode of all the dead.
Gehenna in the New Testament
When speaking of divine judgment, the New Testament typically uses the Greek term Gehenna, translated “hell.” Gehenna pointed specifically to the fiery valley where ancient pagans sacrificed children to false gods and where trash fires continuously burned (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31-32). As a cursed place associated with death and punishment, Gehenna served as a graphic symbolic representation of the eternal state of the damned.
Unlike Hades, Gehenna always carries negative connotations. Jesus employed Gehenna to warn of God’s judgment on unrepentant sin (Matthew 23:33; Luke 12:5). Images of Gehenna vividly depict hell as a place of never-ending fiery punishment for the wicked excluded from God’s presence after death (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43; Revelation 20:14-15). The concept of Gehenna in the New Testament emphasizes hell’s nature as God’s means of just retribution.
Tartarus and the Abyss
In addition to Hades and Gehenna, the New Testament occasionally refers to other terms associated with the demonic and afterlife. Tartarus appears only once, describing a section of Hades where God imprisoned fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4). The abyss generally refers to the dwelling place of demonic powers (Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1-2; 20:1-3). Neither fully equate with the modern conception of hell, yet depict dimensions of the spiritual forces of evil that operate in opposition to God.
The Authority of Darkness
Biblically, the realm of the dead and demonic forces have authority to destructively impact people’s lives. Describing deliverance from sin’s bondage, saints in heaven attribute their salvation to “him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb,” for He “has brought us out of the domain of darkness” (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 7:10). Such passages portray sin and Satan as wielding dominion to confine people under their control.
The gospel offers rescue from this “authority of darkness” (Luke 22:53). Jesus proclaimed release to captives crushed by sin and bondage (Luke 4:18). Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Christ conquered Satan and broke His claims over people’s lives (1 Timothy 3:7; Hebrews 2:14-15). Believers liberated by God’s grace thus need not fear these malevolent powers (Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7).
The Keys of Death and Hades
According to Christ, the devil “has the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14). This associates Satan with death’s power to hold people captive in Hades. But in a magnificent vision, Jesus declares to John, “I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). Possessing keys signifies authority over access to enter or depart a locked place. Hence, Jesus claims power to release souls Death and Hades hold prisoner (Revelation 20:13).
Since “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26), Satan wields the power of death until the final judgment. But Jesus broke the devil’s supremacy through the cross. His power with keys to unlock death and Hades offers hope of resurrection and eternal life to believers. As the grave could not hold Jesus, it will not hold His followers; the gates of Hades will not overpower the church (Matthew 16:18; Revelation 1:18).
The Lake of Fire
Following Satan’s final rebellion and judgment, Revelation depicts Death and Hades thrown into the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10, 14). The inspired visions of Revelation should be interpreted with some flexibility given their symbolic genre. However, they communicate real and fearful truths about the final end of unrepentant evil. The lake of fire represents permanent exclusion from God’s presence and the “second death” of the wicked (Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8).
Some distinguish the lake of fire from Hades/Gehenna since both get thrown into it. Regardless, it is the ultimate destination of eternal punishment for the devil, demons, beast, false prophet, and unredeemed. As Jesus taught, Gehenna symbolized “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). The lake of fire completes this hellish realm’s establishment and isolation outside the new creation.
Eternal Separation from God
Biblical images of fire and worm, outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, all communicate the distress of hell’s punishment. Yet the worst aspect of hell is separation from God and His goodness. Just as the highest heaven is pictured as dwelling in God’s immediate presence, so the lowest hell involves removal from His presence. Jesus called this “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46). Banishment from the Source of all light, life, joy, peace, and hope is the ultimate penalty for refusing His grace.
Hell is thus a tragic yet just consequence for those who reject God’s redemption. But believers can take comfort that the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church (Matthew 16:18). United to Him by faith, they can overcome the power of death and hell (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Jesus holds the keys to unlock the gates of Hades (Revelation 1:18). Though horrific, hell’s gates remain barred to those found in Christ through the gospel of grace.