The Gospel of Nicodemus

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; the second is when he states the law concerning the arrest of Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles and the last follows the Crucifixion, when he assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the corpse of Jesus for burial. Gospel of Nicodemus is mostly a reworking of the earlier Acts of Pilate which reported events in Judea to Emperor Tiberius, and referring to the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as his miracles. It also recounts the Harrowing of Hell which was the triumphant descent of Christ into hell between the time of His Crucifixion and His Resurrection, when, according to Christian belief, He brought salvation to the souls held captive there since the beginning of the world.