What Happened to People Before the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

[KidCatholic1]

What happened to those who died before the crucifixion of the Messiah? Was there only Hell until then or was there a different afterlife? I don’t really read the Old Testament much, so I wouldn’t know something like that (I feel embarrassed for not knowing ). And who, among the deceased, was saved after the crucifixion of Christ? The repentant?

Christ made His sacrifice to mankind, so I would assume the Lord would have a way for even a good-nature, deceased, ancient peasant to repent when Christ passed. It would seem unusual for the Redeemer of humankind-- Who died out of self-sacrifice and love for us-- to not allow those in the afterlife come to Heaven. Thank you, and God bless! †

 

[kkollwitz]

newadvent.org/cathen/09256a.htm

Limbo (Late Latin limbus), a word of Teutonic derivation, meaning literally “hem” or “border,” as of a garment, or anything joined on (cf. Italian lembo or English limb).

In theological usage the name is applied to (a) the temporary place or state of the souls of the just who, although purified from sin, were excluded from the beatific vision until Christ’s triumphant ascension into Heaven (the “limbus patrum”); or (b) to the permanent place or state of those unbaptized children and others who, dying without grievous personal sin, are excluded from the beatific vision on account of original sin alone (the “limbus infantium” or “puerorum”).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo#Limbo_of_the_Patriarchs

The “Limbo of the Patriarchs” or “Limbo of the Fathers” (Latin limbus patrum) is seen as the temporary state of those who, despite the sins they may have committed, died in the friendship of God but could not enter Heaven until redemption by Jesus Christ made it possible.

 

[pablope]

What happened to those who died before the crucifixion of the Messiah? Was there only Hell until then or was there a different afterlife? I don’t really read the Old Testament much, so I wouldn’t know something like that (I feel embarrassed for not knowing ). And who, among the deceased, was saved after the crucifixion of Christ? The repentant?

Christ made His sacrifice to mankind, so I would assume the Lord would have a way for even a good-nature, deceased, ancient peasant to repent when Christ passed. It would seem unusual for the Redeemer of humankind-- Who died out of self-sacrifice and love for us-- to not allow those in the afterlife come to Heaven. Thank you, and God bless! †

Look for Abraham’s bosom.

 

[Bballer32]

As pablope said, look for Abraham’s bosom.

According to tradition, the reason Jesus descended into Hell was two fold:

1.) To show his authority of the Devil

2.) To bring the those that are found worthy (Abrahahm, Isaac, Jacob, etc. etc.) from the bosom of Abraham and bring them into the kingdom of heaven.