The Harrowing of Hell, also known as the Visit of Christ to Hades is certainly one of the most intriguingly enigmatic passages in 1 Peter, perhaps the entire New Testament. From early times (the first century), writers have elaborated and expanded on the event. The earliest form (after the New Testament period) occurs in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, in the section “The Acts of Pilate” (possibly from the 3rd century) (Wilhelm Schneemelcher and Robert MeLachian Wilson, eds., New Testament Apocrypha, Vol. I (Dec. 1,1991: 501-2). From an even earlier time (first century), it was taught and discussed by early theologians, sometimes pointing the way to doctrines which would influence Church History itself. For example, to whom is Christ preaching and what is he preaching? Some (e.g. Clement of Alexandria) interpreted the passage that Christ was preaching repentance to the wicked who had died, leading to the theory that salvation is possible after death. Others (Tertullian) understood it to portray Christ announcing his victory over satanic powers, even death itself, to the OT saints who had been waiting expectantly for the fulfillment of the OT promises.
The consideration of the reception history of this passage is indeed intriguing. . At first glance, it has had a major influence on theology as well as culture, literature, poetry, music and particularly art through the centuries. More specifically, it is often seen as related to the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, sometimes called the ‘Harrowing of Hell’ A closer consideration, however, reveals that none of these terms, ‘descent’, ‘hell’, or harrowing’ is actually to be found in the Peter text. The question emerges, when, and why did these terms and concepts become attached to the passage and when and how did the larger doctrine develop?
This paper will explore the reception of 1 Peter 3:18-22 with this distinction in mind: what effects are directly related to the 1 Peter 3 passage and what is more related to the elaboration in the Apocryphal works? What difference does it make? A study of the effects particularly in art enhances our understanding.