What About John?

AN UNPLEASANT REVELATION — “[Jesus said], ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, ‘Follow me’” [JOHN 21:18-19].

This must assuredly have been an unpleasant revelation for Peter. I mean, few of us would want to know how we were going to die, especially if we were informed that our death would entail humiliation and pain. I cannot imagine that Peter welcomed the words which the Master spoke any more than any of us would welcome such a revelation. Nevertheless, Peter’s death was as Christ described; and from our perspective it was perhaps even more traumatic than Jesus’ words described.

According to an apocryphal account, Peter, knowing of the persecution that was being unleashed against the saints in Rome and at the urging of other believers in the city, determined to save himself and escape the city. However, the Lord appeared to him as he fled the city. In the Latin account we have available, the fleeing disciple inquired of the Lord, “Quo vadis?” “Where are you going?” In this Latin story, the Lord answered, “Romam eo iterum crucifigi.” “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Peter, heartbroken that he had fled in disobedience, thereby exposing the Saviour to dishonour, returned to the city to face his fate. [2] Once in the city, Peter was taken captive and sentenced to death. This is the apocryphal account, this is the legend. I don’t mean for anyone to take this as accurate; it is simply to acknowledge that among the early churches, there was an account of how Peter was taken captive.

Still, we can be reasonably certain that Peter did give his life because of his testimony. According to Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, Peter was taken captive and executed because he was a follower of the Risen Christ. One bleak day, Peter’s wife was crucified before his eyes. Peter is reported to have called out to his wife as she hung on the cross, “Remember the Lord!” After her crucifixion, he was returned to his own cell where he would await his own execution. His calm demeanour was such that it was reported that the jailer, witnessing Peter’s calmness, his manly acceptance of the Saviour’s will, himself believed and became a Christian. The next day, Peter was led to his own crucifixion. As he neared the cross on which he would be executed, the Apostle stated that he was unworthy to be executed as his Lord had been, so he requested that he be crucified upside down—feet upward and head downward. His request was granted. [3] [4] According to the Lord’s own word, Peter was led where he did not want to go; his hands were stretched out and he thus fulfilled the words that the Lord had spoken to him.

Peter, impetuous Peter, the Apostle who boasted of his willingness to even die in defence of the Master, would at the end of his life meekly submit to death for Christ’s sake. It is important to note that Peter wouldn’t seek death, but for Christ’s sake, he would accept the will of the Lord. Peter would mature to such an extent that he could accept even death on the cross because the Lord appointed him to that death. Peter didn’t accept crucifixion because it was inevitable; he accepted the Lord’s will in this matter because it was the will of the Lord.