Known in medieval tradition as The Gospel of Nicodemus, this anonymous Christian apocryphal work develops the story of Christ’s Passion and its aftermath beyond the accounts preserved in the canonical Gospels. The text circulated widely in several languages and forms, becoming particularly influential in medieval Christian literature and traditions surrounding Christ’s descent into the underworld.

The first major portion is traditionally known as the Acts of Pilate. Set before Pontius Pilate, it recounts accusations brought against Jesus and introduces witnesses who testify to his miracles and character. The narrative proceeds through the trial and crucifixion, the burial by Joseph of Arimathea and reports of the resurrection. Nicodemus and Joseph become prominent figures, while the text expands episodes and characters only briefly encountered in the canonical Passion narratives.

A further section tells of Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead, a tradition commonly known as the Harrowing of Hell. Through the testimony of two resurrected figures, the narrative describes the underworld awaiting Christ’s arrival. Satan and Hades debate what his coming will mean before Christ enters, defeats the powers holding the dead and leads the righteous from captivity. Adam and other biblical figures are incorporated into this dramatic account of salvation. The history of this section is complex, and scholars have long treated its relationship to the Acts of Pilate as a question of textual development rather than assuming that both originated together.

Despite its traditional title, the work is not regarded as an eyewitness account written by the biblical Nicodemus. Its surviving forms reflect centuries of composition, adaptation and transmission. Even the familiar names assigned to the two thieves crucified beside Jesus appear to have developed through later textual traditions.

The work remains significant for the study of Christian apocrypha and medieval religious culture. Its expanded Passion narrative and vivid treatment of the Harrowing of Hell helped shape later Christian storytelling, literature and representations of events that received far less detail in the canonical Gospels.