I believe this phrase in the Apostles’ Creed originally came from Ephesians 4:8-10, which says,
“When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
Jesus certainly experienced hell on the cross. Hell is separation from God, something He had never before experienced. Having to face separation from the Father, after having had perfect unity and fellowship with Him from eternity past, is what caused Jesus at the moment of separation to cry out “in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46).
Suggesting, however, that Jesus actually visited Hell for three days as somewhat of a captive of Satan and his demons (as some would have us believe), seems to be a stretch. Most scholars teach that the passage in Ephesians means that Jesus left His exalted place in Heaven to come to earth (or “the lower, earthly regions”) to die for us, and then after His resurrection ascended to His seat of honor at His Father’s right hand. This thought is supported as well by Philippians 2: 6-9, which states that Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.
What is important to remember is that Jesus definitely descended from his exalted place in heaven to come to earth, defeated death and Satan at the cross, and then ascended to His rightful throne with His mission accomplished. It may also be helpful to recall what Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43, emphasis mine)
(All Bible quotes are from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.)