Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 4:9

"(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?" — Ephesians 4:9 (ASV)

Ascension presupposes a prior descent, and Paul describes this as being made into “the lower, earthly regions.” The rendering of the NIV understands this phrase as referring to the incarnation of our Lord. It was from the earth that he ascended into heaven, and it had been to the earth that he came . Others link this verse with the belief that Christ descended to the underworld during the interval between his death and resurrection (see 1 Peter 3:19–20; 4:6). The obscure expression in this verse may also simply signify death and burial.