When we study the lives of Jesus’ inner circle of 12 apostles, we learn that all but two were put to death for their faith in Him (martyred). John died of natural causes and Judas ended his own life, but what about the other apostles? Most notably, what happened to Peter who was so close to Jesus, and so influential in the early church? Is the tradition of him being crucified upside down in Rome plausible? And what was it about Peter that led to his martyrdom? It helps to take a closer look at the life of Peter–a man radically changed by his love for Jesus–before we consider how he may have died.
When Jesus called Peter to become one of his students/disciples, he was a simple fisherman on the Sea of Galilee along with his brother Andrew. Then, because of his repentance and his great faith in Jesus, he became part of Jesus’ inner circle. When Peter was the one who made the bold claim that Jesus was the Son of God (showing his belief in everything Jesus said and did), Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter (meaning rock). Jesus then told the disciples that “upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). The Lord was foretelling that Peter would be instrumental in launching His kingdom on earth.
Yet at the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus also foretold that Peter would deny that he knew Jesus when Jesus was arrested by those who were going to kill him. That’s exactly what happened when Jesus was taken by the Roman officials to be tried and crucified. As he loitered in the courtyard of the high priest during Jesus’ first trial, Peter was asked three times if he was one of His disciples, and soundly denied knowing Him all three times.
After Jesus’ resurrection, He forgave and restored Peter to his role of apostle. Later, on the Day of Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit filled the disciples and others, Peter went out in the streets boldly proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah; nearly 3,000 people were baptized that day. And that was just the beginning of his ministry to preach the good news of Jesus Christ until his last breath.
What Does the Bible Say about Peter’s Death?
There is great argument about where Peter went on his missionary journeys and where his last days were spent. Tradition claims that he was martyred in Rome, but nothing is mentioned in the Bible of his traveling to Rome or dying there. In fact, it speaks little of his death; all we have is a hint of his impending demise in his second letter:
“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things” (2 Peter 1:12-15).
What is evident in the Bible is that Peter was willing to be martyred for his faith. The apostles were in constant danger wherever they traveled because of the message they carried. They were despised by many Jews who refused to believe in Jesus as Messiah (often influenced by the religious elite). They were also persecuted by the Roman Empire that extended from Great Britain in the west, North Africa, the Middle East, and other countries along the Mediterranean. Each day they knew could be their last because of the great persecution against them and the gospel.
What Did Jesus Prophesy about Peter’s Martyrdom?
After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared at one time to the disciples along the Sea of Galilee. As they were on their boats and He was on the shore, they recognized Him and immediately left their boats. Once onshore, Jesus prepared a meal for them.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep'” (John 21:15-17)
Immediately thereafter, Jesus had very sobering words for Peter about what would happen to him as a follower of Christ.
"'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).
Did Jesus say “Follow me!” because He had just said words that would have been unsettling to Peter? Did He want to make sure that Peter was still committed to his ministry even though it would one day cost him his life?
Where and When Did Peter’s Death Take Place?
Arguments for Peter’s Death in Rome
That’s where several theories arise from extra-biblical sources, especially since the Bible doesn’t provide conclusive information for us regarding Peter's death. In the article “The Apostle Peter in Rome”, Brown University Religious Studies professor Nicola Denzey Lewis writes that the earliest testimony to Peter’s presence in Rome can be found in a 170-180 AD letter from a Christian deacon named Gaius, who said that Peter had established a church in Rome (where St. Peter’s Basilica is now located.)
In his review of the book Simon Peter: From Galilee to Rome by Carsten Thiede, reviewer I. Howard Marshall (writing for The Gospel Coalition) says that Thiede believed that Peter indeed went to Rome. He said that when Peter escaped from Jerusalem (Acts 12:1-19), he became a founding member of the church in Rome. He also said that Peter wrote his two letters sometime between 57 and 67 AD when he was killed in Nero’s persecution of the Christians. Thiede also wrote that the authentic site of his burial is the tomb, which was known to Gaius in the second century and was uncovered by modern archaeologists on Vatican Hill.
Another tradition speaks of Peter being in Rome and, fearing martyrdom, fleeing the city on the Via Appia. Along the route, he met Jesus who said He was going to Rome to be crucified again. Supposedly, that was Peter’s signal to go back to Rome and face persecution and crucifixion like Jesus did. Some even say that on the road where Peter and Jesus met there appears to be a set of footprints on the ground that belong to Jesus.
Arguments Against Peter’s Death in Rome
Denzey Lewis goes on to say that she personally doesn’t believe that Peter ever went to Rome. “There is no early textual evidence for Peter in Rome, so for some people, it’s very hard to believe that he ever traveled there.” Not only would it have been quite a distance to travel, but “Peter was a fisherman who was not very educated and who spoke only Aramaic; he was not the type of person that might travel widely across the Roman Empire to a large city where Latin and Greek were the dominant languages.”
Though many claim Peter was buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, archeological excavations have found bones that cannot be attributed to Peter because corroborating evidence doesn’t exist. We don’t have descriptions of Peter or any other records to prove that they belong to the apostle.
So, while many theories, stories, and traditions have been handed down through the centuries, there is no agreed-upon and evidence-based recording of Peter being killed in Rome.
Was Peter Really Crucified Upside Down?
In his article, “How Did Peter Die and Why Is It Significant?” Clarence L. Haynes, Jr. found that “While the time and place of his death are certain, the manner of his death, mainly being crucified upside down, is not as certain.” He goes on to quote the website Evidence for Christianity, which says, “The early church fathers are unanimous in claiming that Peter died in Rome, by crucifixion, during the persecution of Nero in AD 64. As for crucifixion upside down, that is also testified to, but the evidence is weaker for this particular form of crucifixion.” It references “Acts of Peter," an apocryphal book that refers to Peter being crucified upside down.
It’s interesting to note that the 1951 movie “Quo Vadis?” depicts Peter going to Rome to teach others about Jesus, to support them during the persecution of Nero, and then is crucified upside down. Apparently, the director believed in the apocryphal account. Either that, or he thought it would be a powerful encouragement to Christians that Peter didn’t feel worthy to suffer the same way as Christ, but instead requested to be crucified upside down.
Encouragement for Christians Today from Peter’s Martyrdom
Regardless of when, where, or how Peter died, there is still much to learn from his death. As mentioned before, just the fact that Peter continually put his life on the line for the truth of the gospel, as did the other apostles, leads many to believe in the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Peter said at the Last Supper that he would die for Jesus, and though he faltered initially, he kept his word in the end. Do we have such a commitment to the Lord? Are we willing to lay down our vision for our lives, pick up our cross and follow Jesus, wherever He leads? Or do we prefer what could be called “safe Christianity,” where we get all of the blessings of God but have none of the relationship or responsibility Jesus called for?
It’s hard not to be struck by the fact that this uneducated fisherman became one of the most famous men in history because of his commitment to Jesus. He never could have imagined the influence that he would have on others in other cities and towns, much less all over the world. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, as all repentant believers in Jesus are, so do we let the Holy Spirit speak through us as Peter did? Is it easier just not to have discussions about Jesus because we might face backlash? Can we look at the opposition and persecution that the early followers of Jesus faced and let that fuel our desire to tell others about Jesus, regardless of the cost?
Yes, we can. And the encouragement we receive from God is that He will be with us wherever we go (even if it’s just to our next door neighbor). Let’s take seriously the fact that we are His disciples as well, called to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-20).
Photo Courtesy: ©GettyImages/wynnter
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).
