Dear Catholic Exchange:
When we pray “The Apostles Creed”, we say that “on the third day, He rose again from the dead.” When did Jesus visit the “dead” previously?
Thank-you,
Paula Blazer
Dear Ms. Blazer,
Peace in Christ! We at Catholics United for the Faith were pleased to receive your question from the Catholic Exchange. You inquired about article five of the Creed, “He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again.”
In the Creed, the adverb “again” is used to modify the words “He rose,” signifying that, having died, he was once again restored to life. It is not to imply that He had died on a previous occasion and was dying a second time. Rather, the word “again,” not even included in the original Greek or in the current Latin texts, is included in the English translation in order to place emphasis on the truth of the Resurrection, which is central to our Christian faith. Christ died only once, and thus only once “sojourned in the realm of the dead” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 632). However, we understand that at the end of His earthly life, Jesus Christ was crucified, truly died, and was buried. Three days after His death, the Scriptures tell us that he rose from the dead and life was once again restored to His body (cf. Catechism, nos. 638 ff.).
For further reading on a related topic, please refer to our Faith Fact Christ's Descent Into Hell.
United in the Faith,
Kathleen Rohan
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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