My Thoughts on 2 Peter 1:13-19 as Peter's Farewell Message
While doing some simple studies on 1 Peter and 2 Peter - I do want to believe that Peter was indeed crucified upside-down. I don't think it's a myth that was invented by the Roman Catholic institution. The "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" seems to believe that Peter was indeed crucified downward. Remember, Rome was under the rule of Rome at that time. That time would be the rule of Emperor Nero. I don't think Peter met Nero as personally as Paul did. Rather, I do have my belief that Peter himself was crucified in Jerusalem where he would even have more reason to say, "I am not worthy to die like my Lord!"
Vernon McGee comments on 1 Peter 1:1 that Peter was arrested and put to jail. He has been threatened and that there was crucifixion on a cross ahead of him. I really do think Peter was crucified and requested that he died downward. I find it so obscure that the Popes claim themselves to be the Vicar of Christ yet Peter saw himself unworthy to die like his Lord. Peter was probably in Jerusalem when he was jailed. He was probably escorted to Golgotha where Jesus was crucified. He probably remembered the night that he denied Jesus and wept bitterly. For that, he would have plenty of reasons to see himself unworthy to die like Jesus did.
The verses on 2 Peter 1:13-19 seem to be like a farewell note with how it's written:
The verses on 2 Peter 1:13-19 seem to be like a farewell note with how it's written:
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I Am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Just my thought that the statement he would be put off - Jesus made it clear. I could remember the discourse in John 21 where Jesus told Peter these words:
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
That's why it's believed that he died by crucifixion. I don't think it was the road to Rome. Rather, prison would be one place where nobody wants to go. Prison would be bad whether Peter was in Rome or Jerusalem. Peter saw death was coming and Jesus already warned him ahead of time. Peter was already looking forward to the grand and glorious day he would be forever with Jesus. Probably, Paul was already beheaded in Rome under Nero's reign. Peter was now sentenced to crucifixion because he was not a Roman citizen. Most Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion except for very rare cases. Peter was no citizen of Rome. I can't be sure of Peter was dying with other people that day when he probably requested to be crucified downward.
For Peter, he knew that death was not the end for him but the beginning of eternal fellowship with Jesus. He had walked on Earth with Jesus for 3.5 years and learned a lot form his Lord. He was preaching as a young man and now he was old. He was probably looking forward to being truly together with Jesus again in Heaven when he wrote those words before he concluded his second epistle.