What Does the Bible Say about 'Paradise'?

Our English word paradise originally came from ancient Persia where it described “a wide open park, enclosed against injury, yet with its natural beauty unspoiled, with stately forest trees, many of them bearing fruit, watered by clear streams, on whose banks roved large herds of antelopes or sheep.” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary) This picture, according to Smith was in the mind of the Greek traveler whenever he heard the Greek equivalent, paradeisos.

In the Hebrew Old Testament pardase, again of Persian origin, was used to describe…

• The king’s forest (Nehemiah 2:8);
• Parks built by Solomon (Ecclesiastes 2:5); and
• An orchard (Song of Solomon 4:13).

Perhaps surprising to some, the Hebrew pardase was never used in reference to the Garden of Eden. However, the word paradise would be an accurate description of the Garden of Eden. In fact, when the Jews translated the Old Testament into Greek they used paradeisos in place of the Hebrew phrase Garden of Eden, calling it simply, the paradise. In addition, at the end of the Bible Jesus referred to the tree of life stating that it was “in the Paradise of God.”

On two other occasions the Greek term for paradise is found in the New Testament:

Luke 23:43 — When the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus assured him that he would be with Him in paradise. That was clearly a reference to paradise after this life.

2 Corinthians 12:4 — Paul referred to a man who was “caught up into Paradise.” That phrase is an exact parallel to being “caught up to the third heaven” found two verses earlier. The third heaven is the heaven that is beyond the first two created heavens, which are:

• The breathable sky where bugs, birds and butterflies fly and humans breathe; and
• The sky beyond the earth where the sun, moon, planets and stars are found.

There is one other reference to paradise in the New Testament but it is somewhat hidden by Jewish culture.

Jesus told a story that is often referred to as The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). In the story a poor beggar died and was found in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man, after his death, was found in torment in Hades.

For the Jews to be in Abraham’s bosom meant that Lazarus was in close association with Abraham in comfort and safety. (Abraham had died centuries earlier, but was believed to be dining in the kingdom of heaven. See Matthew 8:11.) In short, the Jews used the phrase Abraham’s bosom to refer to the paradise of God. Since Jesus used this Jewish phrase without correction or further explanation, we can safely accept that connection as accurate.

The point of the story was intended to show the futility of earthly wealth in the afterlife, a lesson directed toward the Pharisees who were described as “lovers of money” (v.14). However, the story also gives insight into the afterlife:

• Paradise is a place of comfort and rest;
• A person cannot find relief in Hades, nor can he escape, cross over to paradise or send messages to those living on the earth.

Accepting that the bosom of Abraham and the three occurrences of paradise in the New Testament refer to the same place, then Paradise should not be thought to be a part of Hades, as some have taught. After all, Hades will be cast into the lake of fire, while Paradise is found in the presence of God and contains the Tree of Life. In the afterlife the righteous will be able to take and eat from the Tree of Life that is in the Paradise of God. So, Paradise is the resting place for righteous souls after death.


Mark Stinnett

July 10, 2022