What happened to good people who died before Jesus died for us?

Yes they were as soon as Jesus died on the cross for all our sins and sicknesses and was resurrected the angels went and got all the people who had been held in Abraham's bosom a place between heaven and hell and escorted to heaven.

Now you know.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph 2.8-9

The Old Testament Believers were still Believers in Christ. They believed that Christ, the promised Messiah, would come and deliver His people. That faith is all that God asked for. Hebrews chapter 11 talks of faith and the faith of the old testament believers. That faith is still all God asks for, not faith in the promise made, but faith in the promise fulfilled.

For a time they were held in Abraham's bosom. Lk 16.19-26 Acts 2:27

Then Christ died, and rose again. 1 Cor 15.3-4

Now this, "He (Jesus) ascended'' what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? Eph 4.9

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison... 1 Pet 3.18-19

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Pet 4.6

When He (Jesus) ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.'' Eph 4.8b

1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Cor 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Jesus was the light of the world created on day 1 of Creation. See John 1, 8, and 9. So Abraham, Moses, AND David were not before Jesus. (Despite at least one of the addition's to God's word).

The doctrine of a Savior, Jesus Christ, was taught from Adam to the present. Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc. were all Christians, in that they knew of the mission of the Savior. The patriarchs taught the need of a Savior from the beginning. The animal sacrifices that were conducted from Adam down to the time of Christ were all symbolic of Christ's sacrifice for all of us. Thus, the good people who lived and died before Christ go to a place called Paradise to wait for their resurrection. They are also sent by Christ to go and teach the spirits who linger in Prison. That is taught in the New Testament.

Yes, God's plan is just for all of His children. A way has been prepared for all of His children to hear, understand, and accept or reject the gospel. Thus, all are able to be judged on the merits of their own lives and their own choices.

They were kept until Jesus could free them and release 'all captivity' (see Ephesians letter). What do you think Jesus did when He descended into Hades, (the realms of death) before He ascended into heaven? They were not allowed into heaven even though they were 'good' people because even their own goodness was not enough (read Isaiah). "all our righteousness is as filthy rags"....hope that answers your questions, but seekers, still seek Him and He will be found in those who are truly humble. Jeremiah 33:3

According to Judaism, you have a broad, but little detailed account of the afterlife. There are a few different versions, and they aren't really that important to Judaism.

One is Sheol. it's where you go to become clean before living with God. Another is Abraham's Bosom, which is basically heaven. A version of hell exists in Judaism, but it isn't specific, and it isn't eternal. It's similar to (and may even be the same as) Sheol.

And what happened to the people who never got exposed to Christianity until Europe started taking over the world? There are a lot of questions the Bible never answers because the authors of the Bible though the whole world was Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. Anyway to answer your actual question I believe that everyone went to Hell until Jesus died on the cross, then on the two days before he supposedly came back he went and took their souls from the devil and brought them to heaven. That's what my pastor taught me when I was a Christian anyway.

Any faithful person who died before Christ will not go to heaven. Jesus was the first to be resurrected to heavenly life. (Rev 1:5;1 Pet 3:18)

Anyone righteous, like those you mention, before Christ time, along with many others are awaiting the resurrection to earth. (Acts 24:15;Ps 37:29;Rev 21:4)

God is a judge.

All souls belongs to Him.

They have obtained a good report through faith.

He shall judge them accordingly.

Learn HEBREWS ....11th chapter.

The laws of existence existed from the beginning of time and applies to all.