ACC ~ Mark 15 v46b

WHETHER HIS BODY REMAINED IN THE TOMB WHEN HE DESCENDED INTO THE NETHER WORLD

ATHANASIUS: This above all shows the foolishness of those who say that the Word was changed into bones and flesh. For if this had been so, there would have been no need of a tomb. For the body would have gone by itself to preach to the spirits in Hades. But as it was, he himself went to preach, while the body that Joseph wrapped in a linen cloth laid away at Golgotha. [1] And so it is demonstrated to all that the body was not the Word, but body of the Word. LETTER 59, TO EPICTETUS 6. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 27:59-60; Mk 15:46; Lk 23:53; Jn 19:40-41.

[2] TLG 2035.110, 6.1-6; NPNF 2 4:572. It was not the Word laid in the tomb but the body of the Word. The Word was not changed into bones and flesh but assumed bones and flesh. Jesus descended into the nether world while his body remained in the tomb.