Is Satan the ruler of hell?

Common Misconceptions about Hell and Satan’s Authority

A widely held cultural idea is that Satan reigns supreme in a fiery underworld, tormenting lost souls in a kingdom he rules. However, this concept is not drawn from the testimony of Scripture. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, there is no passage depicting Satan seated on a throne in hell, orchestrating punishment.

In fact, Scripture repeatedly presents the adversary—known in various passages as the devil, the serpent, or the evil one—as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31) in the sense of influencing world systems, not as the overlord of an infernal domain. The Bible portrays Yahweh, the Creator of all things, as the One who holds ultimate authority over every place, including the final judgment of evil (Psalm 24:1).

Biblical Depiction of Hell

Hell, described in several ways in Scripture (Hades, Gehenna, the Lake of Fire), is consistently portrayed as a place of judgment and eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46). Key passages refer to it as a state or location where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42). Jesus taught about hell more than anyone else in the New Testament, often emphasizing its seriousness as a place of separation from the presence and blessing of God.

This place is not presented as the devil’s personal lair, but instead as the final destination of judgment for unrepentant souls and for Satan and his demons themselves (Revelation 20:10). It is critical to note that “the eternal fire” was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), implying it was not originally intended for humanity, though people who reject salvation will share in that judgment.

Who Created Hell?

Hell was created by God as a place of punishment for the devil and his fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). This aligns with the consistent biblical theme: God alone is the sovereign Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1) and the supreme Judge. Although some might imagine Satan as having an equal-but-opposite dominion, biblical teaching asserts that God alone possesses ultimate power, and Satan, along with every created being, is subject to God’s authority (see Job 1:6–12, where Satan must seek permission from God).

Satan’s Present Role

Rather than depicting Satan as a jailer in hell, Scripture describes him as the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), roaming the earth, seeking to deceive and devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is considered the “god of this age” who blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4). These descriptions present Satan’s activity on earth, influencing humanity away from truth and into sin, rather than reigning in a realm of punishment.

Future Judgment of Satan

Scripture teaches that Satan’s future is sealed. Revelation 20:10 states: “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur.” This event occurs at the end of the millennial reign described in Revelation 20:1–9, culminating in the devil’s ultimate and eternal condemnation. Thus, his final fate is to suffer torment, not to inflict it.

Biblical and Historical Evidence

The historicity and reliability of biblical writings have been echoed by numerous manuscript discoveries and archaeological findings:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovered in the mid-20th century, they confirm the remarkable consistency of Old Testament texts over centuries, reinforcing core themes about God’s sovereignty and the reality of spiritual judgment.

• Early New Testament Manuscripts: Fragments such as P52 (dating to the first half of the second century) corroborate the gospel account’s reliability. They uphold essential doctrines about Christ’s victory over evil and the final subjugation of the devil.

• Church History: Early Christian writers such as Ignatius of Antioch and Tertullian viewed hell as a place of divine judgment, never attributing any dominion there to Satan. Their quotations and sermons reflect the apostolic teachings found in standard biblical manuscripts.

These pieces of evidence show consistent theology across centuries, reinforcing that God is the Lord over all creation and that Satan is a defeated foe, not the ruler of an infernal realm.

Behavioral Insights and Philosophical Considerations

From a human perspective, some attribute moral evils and suffering to Satan’s supposed dominion in hell. Yet Scripture reveals that moral decisions stem from human free will and the fallen nature of a world under the curse of sin (Romans 5:12). While the devil tempts individuals, he neither exercises ultimate authority in the afterlife nor compels moral failure.

Philosophically, to assume Satan rules hell can undermine the biblical depiction of God’s omnipotence. Any suggestion that creation is split between two supreme powers (God for heaven, Satan for hell) clashes with the consistent revelation that God alone is sovereign (Isaiah 46:9–10). This perspective also compromises humanity’s accountability before a holy God.

Conclusion

Scripture teaches that Satan is not the ruler of hell but rather a usurper who currently seeks to deceive the world. Eventually, he will be judged and thrown into the lake of fire, sharing in its torment rather than presiding as its monarch (Revelation 20:10). God alone possesses ultimate authority over life, death, and judgment.

All evidence from Scripture—supported by historical, manuscript, and archaeological data—affirms these truths. No biblical basis exists to claim Satan holds legitimate dominion over hell. Instead, this place exists to display God’s justice against unrepentant evil, including the final and eternal punishment of the very adversary who once masqueraded as a ruling power.