#12709 What Is the Devil’s Bible, Codex Gigas? Weird Questions - Jimmy Akin

May 8, 2026

Jimmy Akin, senior apologist and author on Scripture and theology, unpacks medieval mystery and odd biblical puzzles. He explores the Codex Gigas and its legends. He discusses the naked young man in Mark, parallels between Genesis and life’s order, why meteorology is scientific but astrology is rejected, and intriguing questions about purgatory and postmortem communication.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Codex Gigas Is A Medieval Monastic Project Not A Demon Miracle

The Codex Gigas is a huge 13th-century illuminated codex created over decades, not overnight by a pact with the devil.
Jimmy Akin notes it likely took one Benedictine scribe (possibly Herman the Recluse) 20–30 years and 320 calfskins, weighing about 165 pounds.

ANECDOTE

Legend Of The Monk Who Sold His Soul For A Giant Bible

A popular legend says a monk, failing a boast to compile all human knowledge in one night, sold his soul and painted the devil inside as payment.
Jimmy recounts the legend but contrasts it with historical evidence showing gradual monastic production and later Swedish seizure.

INSIGHT

Naked Follower In Mark May Be Lazarus Protected By Anonymity

The naked young man in Mark 14:51–52 likely fled to avoid arrest and left his linen; textual clues suggest Mark anonymously protected certain names.
Jimmy Akin argues the most plausible identifiable candidate is Lazarus, matching John's disclosures and protective anonymity in the Synoptics.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

What is the mysterious “Devil’s Bible,” also known as the Codex Gigas, and should Catholics be concerned about it? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin explores the strange history and legends surrounding one of the world’s most famous medieval manuscripts. He also examines the mysterious naked young man in Mark’s Gospel, whether Genesis surprisingly parallels aspects of evolution, and why meteorology is considered scientific while astrology is rejected by the Church. The episode concludes with fascinating questions about purgatory, including whether souls in purgatory can pray for others and whether the Church has ever recognized authentic communication from them. A wide-ranging discussion blending Scripture, history, theology, and the strange corners of Catholic thought.

Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter

Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com

Questions Covered:

02:54 – Hey Jimmy. I really enjoy your show. Not many Catholic podcasts I’ve found address the weirder aspects of our world. My question is in regards to the Codex Gigas, or the devil’s bible. I’ve heard a lot of secular sources talk about it but not really any Catholic ones. What is your opinion on its mysterious origin story?
11:09 – What’s the deal with the naked young man in Mark 14:51-52?
19:26 – Here’s a question for you Jimmy: in Genesis 1:20-23, it discusses how God created life. It started with water animals, then birds, then land animals. Does that not in fact mirror how we acknowledge the evolution of life on earth exactly, from life beginning in water, then dinosaurs (birds) and then mammals?
29:48 – I sometimes wonder why it is permissible to use meteorology but not astrology. Why can I observe the movements of air parcels and high and low pressure fronts to decide I shouldn’t plan a picnic for this weekend because it will likely rain, but I cannot turn my eyes a little higher and observe the movements of the heavenly bodies to know that I shouldn’t plan my clarinet recital for August when Mercury will be in retrograde?
44:42 – If the souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves. Can they pray for the other souls in purgatory or for us. Has there ever been a communication or action from a soul in purgatory that is recognized by the church as authentic?