Peter and John… 1

Running head: PETER AND JOHN’S LAST YEARS

Peter and John’s Last Years

Susana Silvestri

Grand Canyon University

BIB123 – New Testament History

June 27, 2009

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Peter and John’s Last Years

Introduction

Peter and John were part of the twelve disciples that help to shape and build the church of

the early days.

Peter and John

Peter, James and John were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairu’s daughter, of the

Transfiguration and of the Agony in Gethsemane. Both of them were sent into the city to make

the preparation for the final Passover meal. At the meal itself, John’s place was next to Jesus on

whose chest he leaned. John was also that "other disciple" who with Peter followed Jesus after the

arrest into the palace of the high-priest. John alone remained near Jesus at the foot of the cross on

Calvary with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and took Mary into his care as the last legacy of Jesus.

After the Resurrection, John and Peter were the first of the disciples to run towards the

tomb, John was the first of the apostles to believe that Jesus had truly risen. After Jesus’

Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, John and Peter, took a prominent part in the

founding and guidance of the church. John and Peter are thrown into prison. They also visited the

newly converted in Samaria.

John went to Ephesus and wrote the three epistles, and then he was banished by the

Roman authorities to the Greek island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation.

According to Tertullian John was banished after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and

suffering nothing from it. After witnessing this miracle, the entire coliseum converted to

Christianity.
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John founded and built churches throughout all Asia, and worn out by old age, died in the

sixty-eight year after our Lord's passion and was buried near the same city (Ephesus).

Peter became the first apostle ordained by Jesus in the early church, the first Pope from 30

AD to 64 AD, he wrote two canonical epistles, and a martyr under Nero.

Peter delivered a significant open-air sermon during Pentecost; he took the lead in

selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot. He undertook a missionary journey to Lydda, Joppa

and Caesarea, becoming instrumental in the decision to evangelize the Gentiles.

Peter labored in Rome during the last portion of his life, and there ended his earthly course

by martyrdom.

During the final days of Peter in Rome, he was cast into a horrible prison called the

Mamertine for nine months, in absolute darkness; he endured monstrous torture manacled to a

post. In spite of all the suffering Peter was subjected to, he converted his jailers, Processus,

Martinianus, and forty-seven others.

Because of the persecution, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. When Peter saw

his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her directive and her return home, and called to

her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, "O thou, remember

the Lord."

Conclusion

After prosecution, accusations, incarceration and age, these two Apostles performed their

assigned duties and were able to teach the word of the Lord.
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References

Life Applications Study Bible NIV (2005), Carol Stream Inc. Tyndale, Publishers,

Pages 2063, 2089, 2099, 2111, 2117, 2128, 2131, 2134, 2138

New American Standard Bible – Updated Edition. (1997). Published by Foundation Publication,

Inc. - Anaheim, California.

Richard L. Niswonger, New Testament History (1998). 332 Pages. Published by A Zondervan

Publication., Chapters 14 and 15