AncientWord

After the resurrection of the Lord, the apostles were gathered around Him, asking questions about His descent into Hades. Then Bartholomew stepped forward and said:

Bartholomew said to Jesus:

“Lord, when You were on the cross and the earth trembled, and You gave up Your spirit—where did You go?”

Jesus answered him:

“Blessed are you, Bartholomew, my beloved, because you seek to know the hidden things. I tell you the truth:
When I gave up my spirit on the cross, I descended into the depths of Hades,
so that I might bring up Adam and all who died with him.
I went down with the archangel Michael and shattered the gates of bronze and the bars of iron.
The princes of hell trembled when they saw Me.”

Then Bartholomew asked Him again:

Bartholomew said:

“What did You do in the underworld? And who are the beings who dwell there?”

Jesus replied:

“As I entered the depths, all the dead were stirred.
When I appeared, the light of My face lit up the darkness.
The old serpent, Satan, saw Me and fled into the abyss.
I took hold of him and bound him with chains that will never be broken
until the time of the final judgment.

Then I called to Adam. He rejoiced and ran to Me, and all the patriarchs and prophets rejoiced with him.
I led them out and brought them into Paradise.”

Bartholomew marveled greatly and said:

Bartholomew said:

“Lord, what did the underworld look like? And what did You see there?”

Jesus answered:

“The underworld is vast, and within it are many torments.
I saw a fiery river and unquenchable flames.
There were many souls groaning and gnashing their teeth.
Some were hanging by their tongues, others by their hands or feet,
because of the sins they had done in the world.”

The apostles were afraid at these words, and Peter said:

Peter asked:

“Lord, is there mercy for those in torment?”

Jesus replied:

“The time for repentance is while one lives on the earth.
After death, each receives according to their deeds.
Yet I have opened the gates of mercy for those who believed in Me.”

Bartholomew then bowed down and asked:

Bartholomew asked:

“Lord, when You rose from the dead, what form did You take when You appeared to us?”

Jesus said:

“I appeared in the body in which I suffered,
so that you would not be afraid.
But truly, I dwell in unapproachable light.
Even the angels do not behold My glory except when I choose to reveal it.”

Then Jesus turned to the other apostles and said:

Jesus said:

“Ask whatever you wish, for the days are few and I will soon ascend to the Father.”

And the apostles rejoiced and worshiped Him.