Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/97

Rh one who regarded the former as not giving sufficient prominence to Mary. I recommend such as would see how such books were subject to condensation, alteration, and development, carefully to compare the two translations from the Greek of Nicodemus.

(3.) The Gospel of Nicodemus, Part II., or Descent of Christ to the Underworld. The most ancient copies of Nicodemus known are in Latin and Coptic, and neither of them seems to have contained Part II., which is nevertheless frequently found in Greek and Latin MSS. as a continuation of Part I. Dr. Tischendorf's first text of the Descent to the Underworld is in Greek, and is closely connected with the second text of Nicodemus, Part I.; indeed the copies do not mark any division. The first part closes with the demonstration of the resurrection and ascension, and the second opens with a statement that Jesus not only raised himself but others, some of whom soon come upon the stage and record what happened when He went to the Underworld. This pretended revelation is ascribed to two sons of Simeon, who were brought before the chief Jews, and wrote what is here written. Before writing, the two visitants make the sign of the cross on their faces! When they have written they suddenly vanish, leaving