Intro: Who Goes to Hell According to the Bible?
People have long debated who goes to heaven and who ends up in hell. Some point to good deeds, others to correct doctrine, and still others to religious rituals or moral living. But Jesus offered piercing clarity—not by giving us a checklist, but by revealing heart conditions. The Bible presents who goes to hell according to the Bible not simply as a punishment issue, but as a matter of pride, unbelief, and refusal of God’s grace.
Before diving deeper, be sure to read our companion article on the Sermon on the Mount (NIV) at Jesus-from-the-mount.com, where Jesus outlines the kind of life God honors.
1. Poor in Spirit
Jesus gave one of the clearest answers to who enters heaven at the beginning of His most famous sermon:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, KJV)
This simple statement flips human logic. The proud, the self-assured, the self-righteous—none are mentioned. Entry into heaven belongs to those who see their need, who know they are spiritually bankrupt, and who cast themselves upon God’s mercy. Jesus highlighted this truth in a conversation with the Pharisees:
“If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” (John 9:41, KJV)
In essence, He told them: If you realized your spiritual poverty, you would repent. But because you claim to see clearly—while blind to your sin—you remain in guilt. Understanding who goes to hell according to the Bible begins here: with the condition of the heart.
2. Does Only Hearing About Christ Give You a Chance at Heaven?
A common belief is that only those who hear about Jesus have the opportunity for salvation. But the Bible never actually says that. What it does say is what happens to those who hear the words of Christ and reject Him.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already…” (John 3:18, KJV)
This verse describes judgment for those who have been confronted with the truth of Christ and choose to walk away. But what about those who never hear the Gospel? The Bible is remarkably silent on their final outcome—but it is not silent about God’s character. Jesus Himself once prayed:
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34, KJV)
God holds people accountable based on what they know, not what they don’t. He is described in Scripture as a righteous judge who sees every heart:
“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.” (Romans 2:12, KJV)
“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25, KJV)
The Bible leaves room for mystery when it comes to who goes to hell according to the Bible in such situations. But it never says God will unjustly condemn those who never had a chance to hear.
3. But What If You Do Hear About Christ and Say the Sinner’s Prayer?
Many believe that repeating the sinner’s prayer guarantees entrance into heaven. But Jesus and the apostles warned that confession with the lips means little without transformation of the heart.
“This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (Mark 7:6, KJV)
True belief is not just spoken—it’s lived. The Bible teaches that genuine faith produces visible fruit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22–23, KJV)
James makes it even clearer:
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17, KJV)
This does not mean that works save anyone. Rather, true faith always results in action. Faith is the internal flame that fuels the visible works of Christ in a believer’s life. Where there is no change, no fruit, and no pursuit of righteousness, the profession of faith is likely hollow—and such a person may be among who goes to hell according to the Bible.
4. What If You Sincerely Say the Sinner’s Prayer and Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior?
Even for those who sincerely accept Christ, the struggle with sin doesn’t instantly disappear. The Bible acknowledges this tension:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8, KJV)
The apostles themselves wrestled with sin. Paul admitted:
“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” (Romans 7:19, KJV)
The difference lies in the heart. True disciples may struggle with sin, but they do not practice sin willfully for personal gain, worldly acceptance, or fame (1 John 3:6-10, KJV; Hebrews 10:26-27, KJV). They do not justify sin or call evil good (Isaiah 5:20, KJV; Romans 1:32, KJV). Instead, they grieve over it, confess it, and turn from it (2 Corinthians 7:10, KJV; 1 John 1:9, KJV).
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9, KJV)
This doesn’t mean sinless perfection—it means a new nature that cannot settle comfortably in rebellion. If sin is ultimately rebellion against God, then the one born of God cannot live in rebellion. God’s seed within them continues to grow, producing conviction, repentance, and spiritual renewal. The Holy Spirit convicts, and repentance follows. Those who are Christ’s display this evidence over time: not perfection, but transformation. Their faith produces fruit, and their hearts remain sensitive to God’s correction.
1 Corinthians 6:11 reveals hope: “and such were some of you: but ye are washed…” Repentance and faith change one’s standing before God. As Paul writes, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, KJV)
5. So What Is the Difference Between a Christian That Sins and Others That Sin?
The Bible is clear that habitual sin—described as practicing unrighteousness—without repentance leads to separation from God. This is not simply about falling short, but about living in ongoing rebellion against God without remorse, conviction, or change. Those who do not belong to Christ are said to have another seed growing in them entirely—the seed of the devil (1 John 3:8-10).
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, KJV)
This includes:
- Fornicators
- Idolaters
- Adulterers
- Effeminate
- Abusers of themselves with mankind
- Thieves
- Covetous
- Drunkards
- Revilers
- Extortioners
According to Romans 1 and 2, these sins are often recognized as wrong even by those without direct knowledge of Christ, because God has written His law on their hearts (Romans 2:14–15, KJV). The danger lies in unrepentant continuation of these behaviors. However, the next verse 1 Corinthians 6:11 reveals hope: “and such were some of you: but ye are washed…” Repentance and faith change one’s standing before God. As we consider who goes to hell according to the Bible, we must see the distinction between those who fall and rise—and those who never repent.
The book of Revelation offers a sobering warning:
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15, KJV)
This future judgment underscores that salvation is not earned but received—and it must be received before time runs out.
6. Hypocrites, Judges, and the Proud in Spirit
Jesus warns that outward religion without genuine relationship is worthless:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven… Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me.” (Matthew 7:21–23, KJV)
Who goes to hell according to the Bible include people who seek glory for themselves rather than for God. Jesus condemned those who practiced righteousness to be seen of men, rather than honoring God in secret (Matthew 6:1).
Others fall into the trap of judging others harshly, forgetting their own flaws. Jesus said:
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1, KJV)
Still others prioritize money over God, becoming lovers of mammon. Pride lies at the root of all these errors:
- Money can make someone feel they don’t need God.
- Judging others can make someone feel they are God.
- Worship and applause can make someone feel like they deserve to be God.
No matter how polished a false prophet may seem, that pride will eventually show—and pride, according to Scripture, precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
In all these cases, the problem is not a single act but a heart that refuses humility before God. And that heart reveals who goes to hell according to the Bible.
7. God Grades on a Curve?
It’s tempting to imagine that God’s judgment is cold and one-size-fits-all. But Scripture shows a God who is both just and merciful—who evaluates people based on what they’ve received and how they respond.
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48, KJV)
This means God holds some more accountable than others. What about babies, the mentally disabled, or those who never hear about Jesus? The Bible doesn’t spell out every detail, but it gives important clues:
- Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34, KJV)
- God is “not willing that any should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9, KJV)
- His grace “hath appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11, KJV)
Everyone is called in some way—through creation, conscience, or the whisper of God’s Spirit—to seek Him (Romans 1:20; Acts 17:27). And those who cannot choose Christ in a traditional sense are not outside the reach of His grace. Christ’s death had the potential to save everyone one way or another. That means there is enough grace to meet every person where they are—past and present. God doesn’t grade on a curve in a human sense, but He does judge with perfect equity, taking into account what each soul was given. And who goes to hell according to the Bible are those God condemns to do so based on his perfect judgement.
Conclusion: A Serious but Hope-Filled Truth
So, who goes to hell according to the Bible?
The answer isn’t a checklist—it’s a reflection of the heart. God looks not only at what we do but at why we do it, and whether we respond to His calling with repentance, humility, and faith. Those who go to hell according to the Bible include the proud in spirit, the unrepentant, the self-righteous, and those who reject or ignore God’s grace.
But the good news is that the invitation to salvation is open. Christ died with enough grace to reach every soul. For the poor in spirit, the humble, the repentant, and those who seek truth—there is hope. Heaven is not earned; it is received. And the door remains open.
To explore a powerful biblical passage on judgment and final destiny, read Revelation 20 (KJV).