The Bible does not provide a detailed account of the apostle Peter’s death, but Christian tradition holds that he was martyred in Rome by crucifixion, likely during the persecution under Emperor Nero around 64–68 AD. There is, however, a biblical passage where Jesus seems to foretell the manner of Peter’s death.
In **John 21:18-19**, Jesus says to Peter:
*”Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”*
The passage adds: *”Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me.'”*
Many scholars and Church traditions interpret “stretch out your hands” as a reference to crucifixion, suggesting that Peter would die in a way resembling Jesus’ own death. Church history, notably writings from early Christian authors like Tertullian and Origen, supports the belief that Peter was crucified. Origen adds that Peter allegedly requested to be crucified upside-down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. This account is preserved in later writings, such as those by Eusebius in his *Ecclesiastical History*.
While these traditions are widely recognized, the Bible itself does not explicitly record Peter’s death.