Faith’s Martyr: Stories of Peter, Paul and Others

The lives and deaths of the Apostles are a subject of deep historical and religious significance. These twelve men, chosen by Jesus, played pivotal roles in shaping the early church. Their undaunted faith, even while facing a martyrs death, increases the level of certainty regarding the historicity of the resurrection. The likelihood of people dying for their own lies is practically nil.

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Our understanding of the significance of these martyrs must start with the word itself. Our English “martyr” comes from the Greek word μάρτυρας, the word for “witness.” Originally the word had no particular religious connotation. It referred to someone who witnessed a fact or an event.

The term quickly evolved in the fifty years after the resurrection of Jesus. The overwhelming majority of those who were eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus were put to death. These individuals – both men and women – were unwilling to recant or deny their testimony even with the threat of death.

The Twelve Apostles were a group of ordinary men who were tasked to play an extraordinary role in the founding and spread of Christianity. Understanding the circumstances around their deaths provide insight and challenges for us today. Let’s take a moment to look at a little bit of the ministries and deaths of the earliest leaders of the church.

Judas Iscariot

The act of betrayal will forever mark the life of this Judas. His decision to make an identifying mark of Jesus has resonated throughout history. The betrayal by Judas is a pivotal event in the New Testament as it set into motion the circumstances which would lead to the crucifixion. Matthew tells us that Judas agreed to hand Jesus over to the Jewish religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver.

Judas’ story is a complex and tragic one. His fate stands as a sober reminder to us the fine line between service and sin. His life ended with a leap off a hill into self-inflicted hanging.

Simon Peter and Paul

If you are familiar with any of the deaths of the apostles, it is probably that of Peter. After multiple trials in Rome, Peter was crucified as Nero’s persecution of the church and its leaders was reaching a peak. The exact time and manner of Peter’s death is a little less certain, though the time would have been late in the year of 67 or very early in 68.

Origen tells us that Peter felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord and Savior and requested to be crucified upside down.

There is convincing evidence inside the Bible and outside the Bible for the martyrdom of Peter (John 13:36-38; John 21:18-19; First Clement 5; Ascension of Isaiah 4:2-3; Against Heresies 3.1.1; and more). But what about the tradition that he was crucified upside-down? Did Peter consider himself unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as His Savior?

The first record claiming Peter was crucified downward appears in a late second-century document called The Acts of Peter. This account is filled with legends and this crucifixion story may be one of them. This source claims that the upside-down cross symbolized the fallen state of humanity while the crucifixion of Jesus restored humanity’s stature and place.

History does tell us that the Romans were known to crucify its victims upside down. The intent was to shame them in an even more grotesque way, as well as hastening their death. The upside-down crucifixion of Peter is historically plausible. But the victims of crucifixion were not given the chance to make requests about the method of their death.

Paul the Martyr

Those in the city of Rome placed an accusation against the Roman Christians that they hated humanity. The roots of these thoughts probably had roots in the fact they would not participate in the social and civic life which was intertwined with pagan worship. Whatever the reason, once Nero’s madness inflamed, Christians were persecuted with a vengeance. As a “ringleader” (Acts 24:5), Paul was rearrested and at some point, tradition says, placed in the Mamertine Prison.

The Mamertine Prison was known in some circles as “The House of Darkness.” Few prisons were as dim, dark, dank and dirty as the lower chamber which Paul occupied. Known in earlier times as the Tullianum dungeon, its neglect, darkness, and stench gave it a hideous and terrifying appearance, according to Roman historian Sallust.

As a Roman citizen, Paul was afforded the privilege of a swift and the minimally pain-ridden death. As such, the conclusion stands that Paul was beheaded as a martyr. There is no proof as to what happened to his body after death. Commentary author Albert Barnes indicated there were two traditions. First, Lucina, a Roman noblewoman, buried his body on her land beside the Ostian Road. Second, his body was taken to the catacombs below the city and left along with Peter’s body.

Andrew

Tradition holds that following Jesus’ resurrection, Andrew was swept away by the call to evangelize, after all it was Andrew who led John, James and Peter to meet Jesus. There is strong local beliefs that Andrew traveled as far as the region of Scythia which would be in the modern-day Ukraine and Russia. He preached the message with conviction and enthusiasm and has strong roots in the Russian Orthodox Church.

His faith led to the ultimate sacrifice of his life. Apparently he ends up in Patras, Greece where he is called before the Roman proconsul Aegeates who tried to convince Andrew to forsake Christianity. He was scourged and crucified on an X shaped cross, now known as St. Andrew’s Cross. He was tied to the cross rather than nailed to prolong the pain. Andrew lived for two days on the cross, during which time tradition says he witnessed to all who passed by.

John

Traditional Christian thinking assumes that John died of natural causes on the Isle of Patmos, where he lived as an exile. Mormon traditions say that John never experienced death but continues to take forms and preaches today.

James (John’s brother)

There is actually biblical scripture presenting the details of James’ death (Acts 12:1-2). James was put to death by the Herod of the day.

Bartholomew (Nathaniel)

Very little is known about Bartholomew’s life or death. The tradition that does exist says Bartholomew did not venture too far away from the Galilee and Decapolis area. Most accounts suggest that he was flayed – skinned alive – before being crucified.

Matthew (Levi)

Matthew was a wealthy tax collector in his days prior to following Jesus. His wealth probably allowed him to travel farther than many of the disciples. Tradition has Matthew journeying to remote places in Africa. Though not much more is known beyond this, legend says that he also died as a martyr. Most agree that he was stabbed in the back by a swordsman in Ethiopia, the retaliation of King Hertacus who often received Matthew’s criticism for his immorality.

Thomas

According to early Christian traditions, Thomas traveled eastward to spread the gospel into India. He is believed to have founded several Christian communities there. His missionary work in India is revered. It is said that Thomas became a martyr for the faith, being killed by a lance. The Greek Orthodox Church commemorates his death on October 6th.

Philip

Philip appears to have served as a missionary in Egypt as well as in the Phrygia region of Asia Minor. There are even records indicating he had a powerful ministry in Carthage were he converted the wife of the Roman proconsul. The proconsul had Philip arrested and put to death in retaliation. The cruel means of death is unsure, although legend speaks to either hanging or crucifixion.

James (son of Alphaeus)

This James is mentioned a couple of times in the Bible, so we know that he was around Jerusalem for at least five or six years after Jesus’ resurrection. There are several speculations about how he died. When there are this many ideas, it is difficult to know which one to believe. One has him being crucified in Egypt another has him sawed to pieces in somewhere in Greece. James is honored by several denominations, but our real knowledge of him seems to have him settled in Judea. The two traditions that are more believable place his death around the temple – which would have him dying before 70AD. One has him preaching on a wall of the temple, where he was thrown off by scribes and Pharisees then stoned. The other theory has him beaten, stoned, and clubbed to the head around the temple area.

Simon the Zealot

Not much is known about the ministry or death of Simon. Some traditions have him going to Edessa which is in Mesopotamia or modern-day Turkey. Other traditions have him going to Africa and still others have him crucified in England.

Jude

About the only significant tradition for Jude is that he died in Armenia where he was crucified and shot with arrows.

Conclusions