Persecution shouldn’t come as a shock to us. Jesus forewarned His followers that they would be mistreated and even killed. Listen to how several of the disciples of Jesus died. According to church tradition …
• Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword in Ethiopia.
• Mark expired at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city.
• Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the land of Greece.
• Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward.
• James the Apostle was beheaded at Jerusalem.
• James the brother of Jesus was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and then beaten to death with a club.
• Bartholomew was flayed alive.
• Thomas was run through with a lance in the East Indies.
• Jude was shot to death by arrows.
• Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.
• Barnabas was stoned to death.
• And Paul was beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.
As a matter of fact, the only Apostle to escape violent death was the Apostle John. He was banished to the Island of Patmos, but later released and returned to Asia Minor.