Gospel of Nicodemus
The Gospel of Nicodemus is the medieval name given to a Hebrew revision of the Acts of Pontius Pilate. It is a work of disputed authorship. Many medieval and contemporary scholars have claimed it was written by Nicodemus, a Pharisee mentioned in the Gospel of John, who assisted in Jesus's burial. Still others contend that it was written later, in the 4th century, by an unknown author.
The Gospel of Nicodemus is notable in that it mentions Longinus, the bearer of the Holy Lance and elaborates on events of Joseph of Arimathea's life following Jesus's burial. According to the story, Joseph of Arimathea was imprisoned in a sealed room for assisting in Jesus's burial and was able to escape imprisonment with Jesus's help without breaking the seal. This story is the basis for Robert de Boron's work Joseph d'Arimathie, which introduces the idea of Joseph of Arimathea using the cup from the last supper to catch Jesus's blood after he is pierced by the Holy Lance. Boron's work went on to influence the writing of the Vulgate Cycle, in particular, Estoire del Saint Graal.
The Gospel of Nicodemus has further relevance in Perlesvaus, in which Perceval is a direct descendant of Nicodemus.