How did Peter die?

There is no talk in the bible on how Peter died so one could up with many ways or theories of his death, but after doing some research, most sources have the same conclusion… Crucifixion. One source says that the most commonly accepted church tradition is that Peter was crucified upside-down after Peter requested to be crucified on an inverted cross. The reason for the appeal was because he had previously denied Jesus three times, so he didn’t think he was worthy enough to die the same way Jesus did.

Below is a video better explaining the meaning of the upside down cross:

The only thing the bible really tells us about Peter’s death is back in John 21:18-19. Jesus prophesied about the manner of his death. To me, it would be very uncomfortable to be around someone who knew my fate and talk about my death in a casual manner. Maybe it was to prepare him for Jesus’ resurrection but it is possible that Peter found comfort in hearing that his death would glorify God. Reading that passage of scripture though makes me ask myself why would he deny knowing someone like his friend Jesus and why would he feel not worthy enough to die on a regular cross if his death was supposed to glorify God? 

One source says that Peter was killed by Roman emperor Nero during the mid-sixties. Eusebius, an early church historian, wrote that, “Peter seems to have preached in Pontus and Galatia and Bithynia and Cappadocia and Asia, to the Jews of the Dispersion, and at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head downward, for so he himself had asked to suffer. (Ecclesiastical History III, I) Even Wikipedia says that Peter died of crucifixion. The only recorded death of one the apostles is in Acts 12:1-2 where it talks about how “Herod the king laid violent hand on some who belonged to the church” and how James was killed “with the sword.”

Another source says that Peter died about 33-34 years after the death of Jesus and talks about how Smith’s Bible Dictionary says that there is “satisfactory evidence that he and Paul were the founders of the church at Rome and died in that city. The time and manner of the apostle’s martyrdom are less certain.” The National GeographicChannel talks about how Peter is viewed by Roman Catholics as the first pope and was eventually martyred in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.

I think it’s interesting to find that most sources are saying the same thing about Peter’s death in a world full of conspiracy theorists. Even though there is no textual evidence in the bible of exactly how Peter died, in John 21:19 Jesus says that his death “was to glorify God.” I do find it interesting that no one knows exactly how he died or that it was recorded because of how important he is in the scripture and to the Roman Catholics. He was also a close friend of one of the most popular people in history, Jesus.