
The Apocalypse of Bartholomew explores the hidden dialogues between the apostles and the resurrected Christ, delving into the mysteries of the cosmos and the underworld. Excluded from the biblical canon, this text challenges the boundaries of early Christian thought and offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual inquiries of the disciples.
The Apocalypse of Bartholomew is available as a complete modern English translation through Library of Alexandria Press, accessible online with audiobook narration included for members.
What does Bartholomew dare to ask when the risen Jesus speaks of the world beyond death?
The Apocalypse of Bartholomew is an early Christian apocryphal text that imagines conversations between Jesus and his apostles after the resurrection. Bartholomew takes the lead, asking about Hades, Mary, the devil and the fate of the dead. His questions bring the reader into a world of hidden teaching and unsettling visions.
According to the text, Jesus recounts his descent into the underworld, the apostles question Mary, and Michael brings Satan before them in chains. The unknown author places questions about sin and temptation beside these dramatic scenes. Often called the Questions of Bartholomew by scholars, the work survives in versions that differ in detail.
Perfect for readers of early Christian literature, students of ancient ideas about the underworld and the devil, and anyone curious about stories surrounding the apostles.
Open the first page now and follow Bartholomew into the questions he dares to ask.
| Formats | eBook (EPUB + PDF) · Audiobook · Paperback · Hardcover · Large Print |
| Language | English |
| Trim size (print) | 6 × 9 in |
| Binding | Paperback — perfect-bound · Hardcover — casewrap |
| Large Print edition | Same text in a larger, easy-read type — a larger font, not a larger trim |
| Print pricing | Every physical book at our true cost — at-cost, no profit (members) |
| Library | 873 restored titles, always growing |
| Source tradition | Latin and Greek medieval manuscripts |
| Translation basis | Public-domain scholarly translation, rendered in clear modern English |
| Edition | Modern English translation · 2026 |
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The complete, unabridged text in clear modern English — faithful to the original, never simplified. Every paragraph is checked against the source, so nothing is cut, summarised, or paraphrased away. It reads cleanly for today while keeping the original meaning intact.
This text survives in Latin and Greek manuscript traditions from medieval sources. This edition derives from the standard public-domain scholarly translation and renders it in clear modern English.
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Edition last updated June 2026
It is an early Christian dialogue in which the apostle Bartholomew questions the risen Jesus. Its scenes cover the descent into Hades, Mary and the mystery of the birth of Christ, the devil's fall and the punishment of sin.
The names are often used for the same early Christian work, which survives in Greek, Latin and Slavonic forms. It should be kept apart from the Coptic Book of the Resurrection attributed to Bartholomew, which is a different text.
The author is unknown. Many scholars place the Greek original in the third century, though some suggest a later date. It was not written by Bartholomew himself and is a pseudonymous work of early Christian tradition.
The New Testament canon was formed by the churches over several centuries, using tests such as apostolic origin and wide use. This text appeared later under an apostle's name and was not accepted into that collection.