The Death of Apostle Peter

Peter’s crucifixion

Ancient Christian tradition repeatedly reports that Peter died in Rome during the persecution under Nero’s government, possibly in AD 65.

Jesus had already said that the disciples would be persecuted and killed (John 16: 1, 2). After Christ died and rose again, He was reunited with Peter and, at the end of the dialogue, said: Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted, but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21: 18-19).

The Fate of the Apostles

All the apostles died glorifying God. Peter should follow the same fate as Jesus – crucifixion. From this dialogue, it is understood that Peter was martyred, but the Bible does not say anything about how his death occurred or the date and location. Ancient Christian tradition repeatedly reports that he died in Rome during the persecution under Nero’s government, possibly in AD 65.

The Lord Jesus Christ Coming to Meet Him

“Hegesippus says that Nero was looking for facts against Peter to condemn him to death. When the people realized this, they pleaded with Peter, with great insistence, to flee the city. Peter was eventually persuaded by the annoying requests and prepared to flee. However, when he reached the city gate, he saw the Lord Jesus Christ coming to meet him, whom Peter, worshiping, said: – Lord, where are you going? – To which He responded by saying: – I am returning to be crucified. – So, Peter, realizing that with these words the Lord was referring to the martyrdom from which he was fleeing, then he returned to the city. Jerome says he was crucified, with his head down and feet up at his request because he was – he said – unworthy of being crucified in the same way and manner as the Lord had been.” (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs).

Peter’s Crucifixion

The Death of apostle Peter

Church History