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The Gospel of Nicodemus: Christ's Descent into Hell
Saint Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, who, according to the Gospel of John, showed favour to Jesus. He appears three times: the first is when he visits Jesus one night to listen to his teachings (John 3:1–21); the second is when he states the law concerning the arrest of Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:45–51); and the last follows the Crucifixion, when he assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the corpse of Jesus for burial (John 19:39–42).
The discussion with Jesus is the source of several common expressions of contemporary Christianity, specifically, the descriptive phrase born again used to describe the experience of believing in Jesus as Saviour, and John 3:16, a commonly quoted verse used to describe God's plan of salvation.
An apocryphal work under his name — the Gospel of Nicodemus — was produced at some point in the medieval era, and is mostly a reworking of the earlier Acts of Pilate, which recounts the harrowing of Hell.
Though there is no clear source of information about this Nicodemus outside the Gospel of John, the Jewish Encyclopedia and many Biblical historians have theorized that he is identical to Nicodemus ben Gurion, mentioned in the Talmud as a wealthy and popular holy man reputed to have had miraculous powers. Christian tradition asserts that Nicodemus was martyred sometime in the first century. Nicodemus is venerated as a Saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Roman Catholics celebrate his memorial on August 3. The Franciscan Order erected a Church carrying his name and the name of St. Joseph of Arimathea in Ramla. The Orthodox Church celebrates him on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, a variable date falling always on the third Sunday of Easter and also on August 2, the date when tradition states that his relics were found, along with those of the Apostle and Protomartyr Stephen and Gamaliel (another member of the Sanhedrin who, according to a disputed Christian tradition, converted to Christianity).
The discussion with Jesus is the source of several common expressions of contemporary Christianity, specifically, the descriptive phrase born again used to describe the experience of believing in Jesus as Saviour, and John 3:16, a commonly quoted verse used to describe God's plan of salvation.
An apocryphal work under his name — the Gospel of Nicodemus — was produced at some point in the medieval era, and is mostly a reworking of the earlier Acts of Pilate, which recounts the harrowing of Hell.
Though there is no clear source of information about this Nicodemus outside the Gospel of John, the Jewish Encyclopedia and many Biblical historians have theorized that he is identical to Nicodemus ben Gurion, mentioned in the Talmud as a wealthy and popular holy man reputed to have had miraculous powers. Christian tradition asserts that Nicodemus was martyred sometime in the first century. Nicodemus is venerated as a Saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Roman Catholics celebrate his memorial on August 3. The Franciscan Order erected a Church carrying his name and the name of St. Joseph of Arimathea in Ramla. The Orthodox Church celebrates him on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, a variable date falling always on the third Sunday of Easter and also on August 2, the date when tradition states that his relics were found, along with those of the Apostle and Protomartyr Stephen and Gamaliel (another member of the Sanhedrin who, according to a disputed Christian tradition, converted to Christianity).
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 350
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About the author
Nicodemus
19 books1 follower"Nicodemus (/ˌnɪkəˈdiːməs/; Greek: Νικόδημος) is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in the Gospel of John, most notable for assisting in the burial of Jesus. He is venerated as a Christian saint.
Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospel of John. He first visits Jesus one night to discuss his teachings.[John 3:1–21] The second time Nicodemus is mentioned, he reminds his colleagues in the Sanhedrin that the law requires that a person be heard before being judged.[John 7:50–51] Finally, Nicodemus appears after the Crucifixion to provide the customary embalming spices, and assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial.[John 19:39–42]
An apocryphal work under his name — the Gospel of Nicodemus — was produced in the mid-4th century, and is mostly a reworking of the earlier Acts of Pilate, which recounts the harrowing of Hell.
Though there is no clear source of information about Nicodemus outside the Gospel of John, the Jewish Encyclopedia and many Biblical historians have theorized that he is identical to Nicodemus ben Gurion, mentioned in the Talmud as a wealthy and popular holy man reputed to have had miraculous powers."
-- Wikipedia
Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospel of John. He first visits Jesus one night to discuss his teachings.[John 3:1–21] The second time Nicodemus is mentioned, he reminds his colleagues in the Sanhedrin that the law requires that a person be heard before being judged.[John 7:50–51] Finally, Nicodemus appears after the Crucifixion to provide the customary embalming spices, and assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial.[John 19:39–42]
An apocryphal work under his name — the Gospel of Nicodemus — was produced in the mid-4th century, and is mostly a reworking of the earlier Acts of Pilate, which recounts the harrowing of Hell.
Though there is no clear source of information about Nicodemus outside the Gospel of John, the Jewish Encyclopedia and many Biblical historians have theorized that he is identical to Nicodemus ben Gurion, mentioned in the Talmud as a wealthy and popular holy man reputed to have had miraculous powers."
-- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 24, 2025
Jezus is echt een baddie
May 30, 2020
Absolute treasure of a book! In admirably straightforward terms, it deftly bridges several knowledge gaps and seamlessly provides answers to centuries-old questions around Christ’s death & resurrection. Why was Pilate so vehemently against the crucifixion? What happened to Joseph of Arimathea - the nobleman who gave up his own tomb for Jesus? What did the Romans document about the resurrection? And what, most importantly, does this sacred knowledge continue to reveal to us about the nature of God?
March 8, 2019
The translation, in English, I read was by M.R. James. This is not as terribly written as many other religious works from the Christian tradition. The trip of Jesus to Hades is actual pretty entertaining, although it makes no sense at all. It is obviously borrowed from earlier traditions - Hercules comes to mind immediately. The stories from Gilgamesh are plagiarized shamelessly. I found the entrance of exact calculations for the passage of time from the creation through the birth of Jesus to be amusing. It was clearly added to the document at some time during the Middle Ages, since that is when Christians became obsessed with the topic. It also predicts the end of the Earth, which is to happen right away, of course. Christians have been predicting the end of the Earth since the doomsday cult began. How many times does a prophecy have to be proved wrong before people will admit it is wrong? Apparently infinitely many times. I suspect this is the primary (possibly the sole) source for those who like to claim the world is 6000 years old, after citing their "careful scholarship". Reading something in a "gospel", one that is not even considered to be gospel by any current church, does not qualify as "scholarship". It merely shows a basic ability to read (English translations, usually). The quality these people lack that precludes them from ever discovering anything through scholarship is the ability to think. No thinking, no scholarship.
I would like to read a good translation of this work sometime. As is common in biblical, or pseudo-biblical translations, there is a lot of confusion here between Hades and Hell, Satan and Pluto. Apparently, when the text says Hell it really means Pluto. It is clear reading the text that the word "Hell" is referring to a person (or being) not a place. From what I've read elsewhere, this being is Pluto, a Greek god. Pretty bizarre finding a Greek god in Christian writings. It's not surprising the translator felt compelled to substitute something else. It baffles me to think that people think this kind of substitution hasn't happened again and again over the centuries.
It is amusing the lengths the author goes to to make the claim that the account of Jesus in Hades comes from personal witnesses. The story of how the two witness wrote out what happened independently and the two accounts agreed to the letter is the kind of argument for truth made by children. It is a misdirection, since the story is entirely fabricated. A fabricated event in which two people give a fabricated account of a fantasy cannot be convincing unless you already know the events are true, in which case one doesn't need the evidence.
I found the trial of Jesus pretty disturbing. It is not a credible story at all and was obviously written by someone who wanted to absolve the Romans in the killing of Jesus. This was necessary, since Christianity had become the roman religion. They can't say they themselves killed their own god, so they foisted it onto the Jews. The fault of the Jews is repeated ad nausium throughout this clown's view of a trial. Pilot is constantly saying he finds no fault with Jesus, while the Jews (there is never any word about which Jews specifically-the writer wants to blame all Jews) keep saying he is guilty and claims to be their king and is not. Meanwhile the people are worshipping Jesus. Uh, which people are these? Oh yeh, the "multitudes", who, of course, are not Jews. Probably good Roman Christians, yes? Of course, the Jews say the blame will fall on their heads and the heads of their descendants, which gives the Christian church, and others, an excuse to persecute Jews later—like during the time this "gospel" was written. In the end, in spite of the fact that Pilot finds no fault with Jesus, he has him crucified anyway. Why? Because the accusers claim Jesus is guilty and say he should be killed. I mean, what is a judge to do?
Another lame thing about the trial. There is an argument about whether Jesus was born of a "fornicator". Of course, everyone is born of a fornicator, but the author wants to convince people Mary was a virgin by having people in his story say so. For some people this serves as proof. After all, several make-believe witnesses at a make-believe trial recorded by make-believe people said so. There you go. Who could question such clear evidence. It is amazing that the witnesses to Jesus's birth also just happen to be present at the trial. I've always been puzzled by the apparent Christian belief that ancient Israel was basically a small village of 100 or 200 people, all of whom knew each other. At the same time, it was, of course, a great kingdom, or two great kingdoms if one actually reads the bible. Yet at the trial we have all these people mentioned in the four canonical gospels testifying on the behalf of Jesus, who had just been arrested. The blinded, the guy with leprosy, the crippled, blah, blah, blah. All there on that day. And yet it says in the gospels that the 12 apostles fled when Jesus was arrested. None are named here, but there are 12 mystery men who claim Jesus was not born of fornication. (I.e., he was born of a virgin). How someone could know that is anyone's guess.
Overall, I'd say the authors of this "gospel" were imaginative men, perhaps with a serious drug habit, who enjoyed telling stories, had learned some of the basic ideas of Christianity, and were rather too stupid to put together a good argument for anything. They hated Jews and wanted to exonerated their countrymen, the Romans, from what the authors considered the heinous crime of killing Jesus.
I would like to read a good translation of this work sometime. As is common in biblical, or pseudo-biblical translations, there is a lot of confusion here between Hades and Hell, Satan and Pluto. Apparently, when the text says Hell it really means Pluto. It is clear reading the text that the word "Hell" is referring to a person (or being) not a place. From what I've read elsewhere, this being is Pluto, a Greek god. Pretty bizarre finding a Greek god in Christian writings. It's not surprising the translator felt compelled to substitute something else. It baffles me to think that people think this kind of substitution hasn't happened again and again over the centuries.
It is amusing the lengths the author goes to to make the claim that the account of Jesus in Hades comes from personal witnesses. The story of how the two witness wrote out what happened independently and the two accounts agreed to the letter is the kind of argument for truth made by children. It is a misdirection, since the story is entirely fabricated. A fabricated event in which two people give a fabricated account of a fantasy cannot be convincing unless you already know the events are true, in which case one doesn't need the evidence.
I found the trial of Jesus pretty disturbing. It is not a credible story at all and was obviously written by someone who wanted to absolve the Romans in the killing of Jesus. This was necessary, since Christianity had become the roman religion. They can't say they themselves killed their own god, so they foisted it onto the Jews. The fault of the Jews is repeated ad nausium throughout this clown's view of a trial. Pilot is constantly saying he finds no fault with Jesus, while the Jews (there is never any word about which Jews specifically-the writer wants to blame all Jews) keep saying he is guilty and claims to be their king and is not. Meanwhile the people are worshipping Jesus. Uh, which people are these? Oh yeh, the "multitudes", who, of course, are not Jews. Probably good Roman Christians, yes? Of course, the Jews say the blame will fall on their heads and the heads of their descendants, which gives the Christian church, and others, an excuse to persecute Jews later—like during the time this "gospel" was written. In the end, in spite of the fact that Pilot finds no fault with Jesus, he has him crucified anyway. Why? Because the accusers claim Jesus is guilty and say he should be killed. I mean, what is a judge to do?
Another lame thing about the trial. There is an argument about whether Jesus was born of a "fornicator". Of course, everyone is born of a fornicator, but the author wants to convince people Mary was a virgin by having people in his story say so. For some people this serves as proof. After all, several make-believe witnesses at a make-believe trial recorded by make-believe people said so. There you go. Who could question such clear evidence. It is amazing that the witnesses to Jesus's birth also just happen to be present at the trial. I've always been puzzled by the apparent Christian belief that ancient Israel was basically a small village of 100 or 200 people, all of whom knew each other. At the same time, it was, of course, a great kingdom, or two great kingdoms if one actually reads the bible. Yet at the trial we have all these people mentioned in the four canonical gospels testifying on the behalf of Jesus, who had just been arrested. The blinded, the guy with leprosy, the crippled, blah, blah, blah. All there on that day. And yet it says in the gospels that the 12 apostles fled when Jesus was arrested. None are named here, but there are 12 mystery men who claim Jesus was not born of fornication. (I.e., he was born of a virgin). How someone could know that is anyone's guess.
Overall, I'd say the authors of this "gospel" were imaginative men, perhaps with a serious drug habit, who enjoyed telling stories, had learned some of the basic ideas of Christianity, and were rather too stupid to put together a good argument for anything. They hated Jews and wanted to exonerated their countrymen, the Romans, from what the authors considered the heinous crime of killing Jesus.
May 21, 2023
Very interesting! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
May 30, 2020
This adds such rich and nuanced detail to the Bible - I’m starting to think all the apocryphal texts should have been included.....perhaps the Bible should be extended into volumes.
May 15, 2022
So I was scrolling through Catholic Twitter (as one does) and someone had a picture of a page from one of the works by Justin Martyr. The page had Justin citing a text called the Gospel of Nicodemus, aka the Acts of Pilate, an apocryphal text, as an authentic source for telling about the life of Jesus. I was curious so I decided to read it
The text essentially fills in the gaps of what happened during the Trial of Jesus, the Descent into Hell, and immediately following the Resurrection. Some interesting and important details include:
1. Pilate rebuking the Jews on the account of the previous rebellion against Moses, implying that Christ is the new Moses
2. Added dialogue between Pilate, Jesus, and the Sanhedrin- for example, Jesus responds to Pilate’s famous question “what is Truth” with “truth is of heaven”
3. There is a debate over Christs lineage, in which twelve men testify that Christ was born of a virgin
4. Several individuals who were healed testify on Christ’s behalf
5. Several people in the New Testament who were not named are given names in this document; two prominent examples are Bernice, the woman who touched Jesus and was healed, and Dismas, the good thief whom Christ saves, and is actually considered a saint the Orthodox Church.
6. At the end of the document, the Sanhedrin reveal to Pilate that they have determined Christ to be God, but keep the meeting clandestine to prevent schism
Its a fascinating read I would highly recommend, not only because of the story, but it because it raises interesting questions as to how the early Church fathers viewed inspired texts and how they determined what was canon and what wasn’t.
The text essentially fills in the gaps of what happened during the Trial of Jesus, the Descent into Hell, and immediately following the Resurrection. Some interesting and important details include:
1. Pilate rebuking the Jews on the account of the previous rebellion against Moses, implying that Christ is the new Moses
2. Added dialogue between Pilate, Jesus, and the Sanhedrin- for example, Jesus responds to Pilate’s famous question “what is Truth” with “truth is of heaven”
3. There is a debate over Christs lineage, in which twelve men testify that Christ was born of a virgin
4. Several individuals who were healed testify on Christ’s behalf
5. Several people in the New Testament who were not named are given names in this document; two prominent examples are Bernice, the woman who touched Jesus and was healed, and Dismas, the good thief whom Christ saves, and is actually considered a saint the Orthodox Church.
6. At the end of the document, the Sanhedrin reveal to Pilate that they have determined Christ to be God, but keep the meeting clandestine to prevent schism
Its a fascinating read I would highly recommend, not only because of the story, but it because it raises interesting questions as to how the early Church fathers viewed inspired texts and how they determined what was canon and what wasn’t.
January 22, 2025
This book was suggested to me as a book all LDS people should read. A short book, it is a translation into contemporary English of an apoccryphal gospel found among public records in the hall of Pontus Pilate. It is claimed to be written by Nicodemus, the Sanhedrin leader who visited Jesus at night. The small record is easy to read and covers the trial of Jesus before Pilate and interviews Pilate had with Christian Jews after Jesus' death and resurrection.
May 20, 2025
Bastante interesante, la primera parte son las actas de Pilato donde se le intenta justificar, como es común en la Iglesia antigua y en otros apócrifos (aunque no hay unanimidad). La segunda parte es la más interesante, puesto que se narra lo que hay en los infiernos con buenas explicaciones. Creo que entra en profundidad más que en el apócrifo de Bartolomé y da argumentos teológicos interesantes, además de ser bastante leído e influyente y ser muy temprano, escrito alrededor del 130.
December 14, 2017
This is a hard one to review
This is a book best read and then decide what you believe, or how you understand it. I find bits that don't add up to the txt of the bible and bits that give me a hunger for a greater understanding of what does the Word really say. On that last point alone it is worth a read to challenge why you believe what you do understand and why.
This is a book best read and then decide what you believe, or how you understand it. I find bits that don't add up to the txt of the bible and bits that give me a hunger for a greater understanding of what does the Word really say. On that last point alone it is worth a read to challenge why you believe what you do understand and why.
August 9, 2018
Interesting
Interesting stuff. It's a very short read but includes an alleged statement by Pilate on his thoughts about Jesus and the crucifixion.
Interesting stuff. It's a very short read but includes an alleged statement by Pilate on his thoughts about Jesus and the crucifixion.
September 15, 2025
Very interesting.
I’d like to know more about the history and use of this book.
I’d like to know more about the history and use of this book.
February 23, 2011
This is definitely the most well-written and exciting of the gospels!
September 10, 2019
Great Biok
I choosed rating that it talk more in detail of the crufucation, to find more of what the Bible says, this is for you.
I choosed rating that it talk more in detail of the crufucation, to find more of what the Bible says, this is for you.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews