Where did Jesus say He would be for the three days and three nights after His death?
Jesus said that after His death He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, as recorded in Matthew 12:40. He compared this to Jonah being in the whale's belly, indicating the center of the earth.
Les teaches from Matthew chapter 12 that when the scribes and Pharisees confronted Jesus, He answered them by pointing to the sign of the prophet Jonah. Jesus gave full credence to Jonah's account, refuting those who call it a myth. In verse 40 He declared, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Les notes that this raises a contrast with Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross, "Today thou shalt be with me in paradise," yet here Jesus specifies He would be in the center of the earth. Les also mentions the Apostles' Creed, which says Jesus descended into hell, and says people ask if He actually went to hell; he answers "yes and no," because three words in Scripture all speak of the same place.
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.