Found just eleven times in the New Testament and usually translated “hell” or “grave” in the KJV, the Greek noun “hades” describes what many refer to as the “underworld.” In the Old Testament the hadean realm is referred to as “sheol.”
The eleven verses in the New Testament that use the word “hades” are: Mt. 11:23; 16:18; Lk. 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; 1 Cor. 15:55; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14.
Some teach “hades” was where the righteous and unrighteous went up until the time of Jesus’ resurrection, but now the righteous are immediately taken to heaven instead of abiding in the “good side” of hades (Lk. 16:25). Others, including this author, believe hades serves as a holding place for all who die (Lk. 16:23) and teach this place will continue to exit and hold the dead until Jesus returns and then destroys this place (Rev. 20:13-14).
If hades is still the current dwelling place for the righteous who die, there is a “great gulf” (barrier) that separates them from the lost (Lk. 16:26).