John 20:11-17
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
That is bodily ascension, not ascending as spirit which happens at death.
Ecclesiastes 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and
the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
The spirit returns to God at death.
Mat_8:11 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.
Christ said this before the cross and makes it clear OT saints such as Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, are in the kingdom of heaven at the time he spoke this. This proves OT people could die and go to heaven and that everyone did not go to hades.
Christ went to Heaven/Paradise to his Father as we all do when we die. From there he went to the "grave" where the unsaved dead were, and then he arose after 3 days and returned to his disciples before his "ascension" to his throne beside his Father. Ascension involves a full body ascending which did not occur when Jesus died as his body remained in the tomb and his Spirit went to God and later to the "hell".
Joh 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that
he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
This is a reference to after the cross but before the resurrection and eventual bodily ascension.
Joh 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God,
and went to God;
This is the same reference made in verse 1.
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that
I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if
I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of righteousness,
because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
This is a reference to the ascension that came after his resurrection.
Joh 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because
I go to the Father.
This is a reference to after the cross but before the resurrection and eventual ascension.
Joh 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again,
I leave the world, and go to the Father.
This is the same reference made in verse 16.
Four times Jesus spoke about where he would go after dying. The Father is in paradise/heaven so going to Him means Jesus did in fact go to paradise after dying.