ALTER2EGO -to- SUNDANCE:
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was in a tomb above ground.
"{1} On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the memorial tomb [of Jesus] early, while there was still darkness, and she beheld the stone already taken away from the memorial tomb. {2} Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, for whom Jesus had affection, and she said to them: 'They have taken away the Lord out of the memorial tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.' {3} Then Peter and the other disciple went out and started for the memorial tomb. {9} For they did not yet discern the scripture that he must rise from the dead. {10} and so the disciples went back to their homes. {11} Mary, however, kept standing outside near the memorial tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she stooped forward to look into the memorial tomb {12} and she viewed two angels in white sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying." (John 20:1-3, 9)
Notice that verse 12 clearly says that the body of Jesus had been lying in the tomb. Remember, the tomb was above-ground. Therefore, the expression "lower parts of the earth" is figurative speech for the common grave of mankind.