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    You mention that if Jesus suffered in hell, that would not take away our sins but the way I have understood it, Jesus suffered the equivalent of hell on the cross by being completely cut off from God.

  Suffering can never take away our sins. Everyone suffers because of sin, but that does not save anyone. For our sins to be forgiven, it required innocent, pure blood given on our behalf. Leviticus 17:11 says, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Those animal sacrifices in the Old Testament only covered their sin, and were pictures of the one, true, sufficient sacrifice to come. Hebrews 10:1-4 says, "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Salvation in the Old Testament was by faith, just like today. They looked ahead, in faith, to the Savior who would come and die for their sins; and we, by faith, look back to the Savior who did come and die for our sins. Acts 10:43 says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."  Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."   Romans 5:6-9 says, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Yes, Jesus did suffer, right on the cross, the torment that is found in hell:

People in hell suffer thirst. Luke 16:22-24 says, "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

Jesus suffered thirst on the cross. John 19:28 says, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."

People in hell are going to suffer in darkness. Psalm 49:19 says, "He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light." Matthew 8:11,12 says, "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Jude 13 says, "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." II Peter 2:17 says, "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."

Jesus suffered in darkness on the cross. Luke 23:44, 45 says, "And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."

People in hell suffer separation from God. Matthew 7:23 says, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: DEPART from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 25:41 says, "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, DEPART from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." II Thessalonians 1:8,9 says, "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction FROM THE PRESENCE of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."

Jesus suffered separation from the Father while He hung on that cross bearing our sin. I Peter 2:24 says, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." Matthew 27:46 says, "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

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