Has anyone heard an interpretation that says that Jesus descended into hell or a compartment therein and utilized Matthew 12:40 to support it? They say that the expression "heart of the earth" cannot mean the grave because it is not the 'heart' of the earth and that the grave is too close to the surface. They stress that the 'heart' is an important part of the text that is ignored by many commentators.
Furthermore, such adherents argue that Jonah 2:3, which says "For You had cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me", is evidence that the sea monster, after having swallowed Jonah, swam to a compartment in hell (located at the heart of the earth). They conclude by saying that Matthew 12:40 means that Jesus descended to a compartment in hell after His death.
None of the commentaries I read focus or spend more than a couple of sentences addressing the "heart of the earth" expression. Usually, if they say anything at all, it is that "the heart of the earth" expression is the grave; no further explanation or defense is provided.
Perhaps someone could refute the interpretation explained above or provide a source that does so. By the way, I believe dispensationalists believe the above-cited interpretation among others.
I have researched other verses such adherents use and have found that it is easier to refute the idea of Christ's descent into hell based on them, except for this one, given that couldn't find at least one paragraph dedicated to explaining the 'heart' of the earth part of the verse.
Furthermore, such adherents argue that Jonah 2:3, which says "For You had cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me", is evidence that the sea monster, after having swallowed Jonah, swam to a compartment in hell (located at the heart of the earth). They conclude by saying that Matthew 12:40 means that Jesus descended to a compartment in hell after His death.
None of the commentaries I read focus or spend more than a couple of sentences addressing the "heart of the earth" expression. Usually, if they say anything at all, it is that "the heart of the earth" expression is the grave; no further explanation or defense is provided.
Perhaps someone could refute the interpretation explained above or provide a source that does so. By the way, I believe dispensationalists believe the above-cited interpretation among others.
I have researched other verses such adherents use and have found that it is easier to refute the idea of Christ's descent into hell based on them, except for this one, given that couldn't find at least one paragraph dedicated to explaining the 'heart' of the earth part of the verse.