# Paul, The Apostle Of Christ, Sorely Persecuted, And Finally Beheaded, At Rome, Under The Emperor Nero, A. D. 69.

69 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: PAUL, THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST, SORELY PERSECUTED, AND FINALLY BEHEADED, AT ROME, UNDER THE EMPEROR NERO, A. D. 69.

Source heading; not independently verified

BEHEADING OF PAUL.

Saul, afterwards called Paul, was of Jewish descent,
a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin; but,
as to who his father and mother were, we find in
Holy Writ no record. Phil. 3:5.

As regards the place of his birth, it appears that
his parents, either on account of persecution, or of
the Roman war, or for some other reason, left their
place of residence in the portion of Benjamin, and
went to dwell in a Roman, free city in Cilicia, called
Tarsus, where Paul was born, who, although he
was a Jew, yet, by the privileges of this city, became
a Roman citizen. Acts 22:3.

Respecting his early training, he was diligently
instructed by the wise Gamaliel, in the law of the
fathers; in which he became so proficient, that there
were but few things in the entire Old Testament,
with which he was not acquainted. Gal. 1:14.

He lived blamelessly, according to the law of
Moses and the holy prophets, and that in the
strictest order of Judaism; but, having not yet been
rightly instructed in the doctrine of the holy gospel,
he, although in accordance with the law, manifested
a wrong zeal, and persecuted the church of
Christ; yea, at the death of Stephen he kept the
garments of them that slew him. Acts 7:58.

But afterwards, having obtained letters from the
priests at Jerusalem to the synagogues of Damascus,
to bring as prisoners such men and women who
confessed the name of Christ, the Lord, from heaven,
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arrested him in his course, calling, “Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art
thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against
the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said,
Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the
Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city,
and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Acts
9:1–6.

The men who journeyed with him stood speechless,
hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Then he
arose from the earth, to which he had been prostrated
by fear; and when he opened his eyes, he
could not see, so that they led him by the hand,
and brought him into Damascus. Verse 7,8.

In the city of Damascus there was a disciple,
named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a
vision, “Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas
for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he
prayeth.

Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard by many
of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy
saints at Jerusalem.”

Then said the Lord to him, “Go thy way: for
he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel: for I will shew him how great things he
must suffer for my name’s sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the
house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother
Saul, the Lord hath sent me, that thou mightest
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had
been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and
arose, and was baptized.” Acts 9:7–16.

Such was the conversion of Saul, who was afterwards
called Paul, and was one of the chief apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ: yea, he labored more
abundantly than they all. 1 Cor. 15:10.

Immediately after his conversion, he preached
Christ in the synagogues, that he was the Son of
God. Acts 9:20.

Some time afterwards, the Holy Ghost said to
the prophets and teachers at Antioch, after they
had ministered to the Lord with fasting and prayer,
“Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them.” And thus they
were sent out by the Holy Ghost. Acts 13:2,3.

In the meantime, Paul, formerly called Saul, was
endowed with special gifts of the Holy Ghost, so
that he had the spirit of discernment, prophecy,
tongues, miracles. Acts 13:9,10; 1 Tim. 4:1;
1 Cor. 14:18; Acts 19:11.

He had also special revelations, so that, at a
certain time, he was caught up to the third heaven,
yea, into the heavenly paradise, where he heard unspeakable
words, which no man can utter. 2 Cor.
12:1.

He was, moreover, adorned with many Christian
virtues, which he practiced with a good conscience;
as well as with faithfulness in his ministry, paternal
care over all the churches, and sincere love for them,
even unto death, so that he said, “Being affectionately
desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted
unto you, not the gospel of God only, but
also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
1 Thess. 2:8.

He was free from covetousness, of a benevolent
disposition, and would rather labor with his own
hands, than be a burden to the church, lest it might
prove a hindrance to the holy gospel. Acts 20:34.

He vigorously withstood, and overcame through
the word of God, the erring spirits, sorcerers, Epicurean
philosophers, and false prophets.

He feared neither great nor small, noble nor ignoble,
Jew nor Greek; but taught the word of God
in sincerity.

What he suffered in seven great land and sea
journeys, during the time of thirty years, during
which he traveled in Judea, Syria, Asia, Macedonia,
Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, yea, almost
through the whole then known world, is sufficiently
evident, from Holy Scripture as well as from history.

It is computed, that until his first imprisonment
at Rome, he had traveled over three thousand
German miles, by water and by land, only for the
Gospel’s sake; besides all the other arduous journeys
he undertook, in order to strengthen, awaken, and
comfort the newly-planted churches; in which he
met with much vexation, misery and grief from the
hands of the unbelievers. The words which the Lord
had spoken at the time of his conversion, were fulfilled
in every part: “I will shew him how great
things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts
9:16.

Shortly after he was baptized, and his zeal for the
truth of Christ began to break forth at Damascus,
proving to the Jews that Christ was come, they took
counsel to kill him; wherefore he was let down by
the wall in a basket, that he might escape their
hands. Acts 9:24,25.

Afterwards, when he came to Iconium with his
companion Barnabas, the Jews stirred up the Gentiles
against him and his friend, intending to stone
them. Acts 14:2,5.

But when they had fled to Lystra, and had made
a cripple able to walk, there came certain Jews from
Antioch and Iconium, and stirred up the people,
so that they stoned Paul, whom they first had worshiped
as a god, and drew him out of the city, supposing
that he was dead: howbeit, as the disciples
stood round about him, he rose up again. Acts
14:19,20.

Afterwards, traveling with Silas, and having, at
Philippi, delivered a damsel from a spirit of divination,
he and Silas were accused on that account,
beaten with rods, cast into prison, their feet made
fast in the stocks, and were kept in close confinement.
But in the night God sent an earthquake, so
that the foundations of the prison were shaken, the
doors opened, and the bands (of the stocks) loosed
of their own accord. By this means Paul and Silas
were delivered, with the knowledge of the keeper,
who accepted the faith, and was baptized. Acts
16:22–36.

Subsequently, being at Thessalonica, and having
preached the word of God three Sabbaths, so that
of the devout Greeks, a great multitude believed,
and of the chief women not a few, the Jews, who
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believed not, were moved with envy; wherefore
they took unto them certain lewd fellows—market-loungers—and
gathered a great company, and set
the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of
one Jason, thinking that Paul and Silas were within,
and sought to bring them out to the people. And
when they found them not, they drew Jason and
certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying,
“These that have turned the world upside down
are come hither also; whom Jason hath secretly received.”
Acts 17:1–7. From there, on account of
the persecution, the brethren sent both of them
away by night unto Berea. Verse 10.

After that, “when Gallio was the deputy of
Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord
against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
saying, “This fellow persuadest men, to worship
God contrary to the law. And when Paul was now
about to open his mouth, to defend himself, Gallio
said unto the Jews, to show to them the groundlessness
of their accusations, If it were a matter of
wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason
would that I should bear with you: but if it be a
question of words and names, and of your law, look
ye to it: for I will be no judge of such matters.
And he drave them from the judgment seat.” Acts
18:12–16.

After this, there came down from Judea a prophet,
named Agabus, who took Paul’s girdle, and bound
himself, saying, “Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So
shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth
this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands
of the Gentiles.” Thereupon the brethren besought
Paul, not to go up to Jerusalem. But he answered,
“What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?
for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to
die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 21:10–13. O the great resolution of the
Apostle Paul!

After that, when he, standing on the stairs at
Jerusalem, defended himself before those who had
accused him, it came to pass that the Jews, having
given him audience for awhile, cast off their clothes,
threw dust into the air, and cried, “Away with
such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he
should live.” Acts 22:22,23.

In the meantime he was bound, in order to be
scourged; which he would not have escaped, had
he not declared that he was a Roman citizen. Verses
25–29.

“Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience
before God until this day. And the high priest
Ananias commanded them that stood by him to
smite him on the mouth.” Acts 23:1,2.

“The night following, the Lord stood by him,
and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast
testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness
also at Rome. Verse 11.

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded
together, and bound themselves neither to eat nor
to drink till they had killed Paul. And they were
more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
Verse 12.

But Paul was warned of this ambuscade by his
sister’s son, and when the latter made it known to
the chief captain of the Romans, measures were
taken to escape it; wherefore he was brought in the
third hour of the night to Cesarea, unto Felix the
governor. Verses 16–33. And Felix kept him in
Herod’s judgment hall, till his accusers should
come. Verse 35.

After five days Ananias the high priest descended
with the elders, and with the orator Tertullus, who
informed the governor against Paul. And when
Paul was called forth, Tertullus, after having saluted
Felix with many flattering words, began to accuse
him, saying, “We have found this man a pestilent
fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews
throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect
of the Nazarenes: who also hath gone about to profane
the temple: whom we took, and would have
judged according to our law. But the chief captain
Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took
him away out of our hands,” etc. “And the Jews
also assented, saying that these things were so.”
Acts 24:1–9.

But that this was not so (although they sought to
bring about his death by these accusations), is evident
from the preceding facts mentioned in the
Acts of the Apostles, and from the following defense
of Paul, verses 10–21.

“But after two years Portius Festus came into
Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a
pleasure, left Paul bound.” Verse 27.

Now when Festus was come into the province,
after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.
Then the high priest and the chief of the
Jews went to him, and desired favor, that he would
send for Paul to Jerusalem; laying wait in the way
to kill him. Festus replied to the Jews, that Paul
should be kept at Cesarea, and that those who were
to accuse him, might come thither. Acts 25:4,5.

And when they were come, they brought forward
many and grievous complaints, which they could
not prove, and which Paul briefly and conclusively
refuted, declaring that he had offended neither
against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple,
nor against Cesar. But being deceitfully asked by
Festus, whether he was willing to go up to Jerusalem,
to be judged there (where his mortal enemies
were), he fearlessly replied, “I stand at Cesar’s
judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the
Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well
knowest. But if I be an offender, or have committed
anything worthy of death, I refuse not to
die.” Acts 25:9–11.

After this, Paul was examined by King Agrippa,
in the presence of Festus. His defense caused Festus,
who was a friend of the Jews, to exclaim: Paul,
thou art beside thyself. Agrippa, however, declared
that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian.
He also gave as his opinion, that there was
nothing worthy of death in him; wherefore he said
to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty,
if he had not appealed unto Cesar. Acts 26:1–32.

In the meantime it was determined that he should
sail to Italy, to be examined before Cesar. To this
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end he and certain other prisoners were delivered
to Julius, a centurion of the imperial band. Having
embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, they sailed
along Cyprus, Cilicia, Pamphylia, and other countries,
to Myra in Lycia, where they were transferred
into a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy. In
this ship they sailed against Cnidus, as far as under
Crete, over against the city of Salmone; thence to a
place which is called the Fair Havens, nigh to Lasea.
Acts 27:1–8.

At this place Paul foretold them, that they would
not complete this voyage without great damage,
danger of shipwreck, and peril of life; but the centurion
believed the master and the owner of the
ship, more than those things which were spoken by
Paul. Verses 10,11.

Departing thence, they hoped to winter at Phenice,
a haven of Crete; but they touched at Asson,
and sailed close by Crete. Verses 12,13.

Then the ship was caught by a northeast wind,
which had sprung up, and carried her, against their
purpose, through the billows so that they had to let
her drive before it; however, they came to the
Island Clauda, yet with fear, lest they should fall
into the quicksands. Verses 16,17. For many days
and nights they saw neither sun nor stars through
the mighty tempest, so that all hope that they
should be saved was taken away. Verse 20.

Meanwhile God sent his angel on a certain night
to Paul, saying, “Fear not; thou must be brought
before Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them
that sail with thee. Verses 23,24.

Thereupon Paul urged them to take meat, for the
preservation of their lives, for, on account of their
deadly fear, they had not eaten anything for fourteen
days; and breaking the bread, for to eat, he
gave thanks to God in the presence of them all.
Verses 33–36.

And when it was day, they knew not the land:
but they discovered a creek; which however they
could not enter, but ran aground, before the island
of Melita (now called Malta); where the forepart of
the ship stuck fast, but the hinder part was broken
in pieces by the waves. Verses 39–41. Here the
soldiers held a council and decided to kill the prisoners,
including Paul, lest any of them should swim
out, and escape. The centurion, however, willing
to save Paul, kept them from their purpose: and
commanded that they who could swim should cast
themselves first into the sea, and get to land which
was done; and the rest floated, some on boards,
and some on broken pieces of the ship, so that all,
namely, one hundred and seventy souls, escaped to
land. Verses 42–44. Thus was fulfilled what Paul
had foretold them, namely, that they should suffer
shipwreck, and yet escape with their lives.

Here Paul was first pronounced a murderer, but
afterwards a god, by the inhabitants of the island;
and this, because they observed a viper fastening
itself on his hand, which he shook off into the fire,
without suffering any harm. Acts 21:3–6.

After three months they sailed for Italy in a ship
which had wintered in the isle; yet they arrived first
at Syracuse, in Sicily, and then at Puteoli, on the
Italian border, where Paul found brethren, with
whom he tarried seven days; others came to meet
him as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns.
Proceeding, he came to Rome, where the centurion
delivered him to the chief captain, to be brought
before Cesar. In the meantime he was kept by a
soldier, and bound with a chain. Verses 11–16,20.

We have narrated all these things the more circumstantially
(and this, according to Holy Scripture),
in order that it may be seen, how much this
pious man suffered in his travels by sea and by land,
for the sake of the holy Gospel. Of all this he gives
a brief account in his second epistle to the Corinthian
church, writing thus: “Of the Jews five times received
I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten
with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck,
a night and a day I have been in the deep;
in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of
robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils
by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils among false brethren; in weariness
and painfulness, in watchings often, in cold and
nakedness. 2 Cor. 11:24–27.

Yea, it appears from the first epistle to the Corinthians,
that he was thrown before the wild beasts in
a theatre at Ephesus, to be torn to pieces, or, at
least, to fight for his life with them; from which God
at that time delivered him. Concerning this, the
intelligent may judge; he writes, “If after the manner
of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus,
what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not?”
1 Cor. 15:32.

As regards his imprisonment at Rome, most of
the ancient writers are of the opinion that, although
nearly all his friends forsook him at the time when
he was to make his defense, he, being brought before
Cesar, defended himself so cleverly against the
accusations of the Jews, that he was set free for this
time. But how true this is, we leave to its own
merits, and to the omniscient God. This much,
however, is certain, that while in prison at Rome,
he wrote to his spiritual son Timothy, that he was
now ready to be offered as a drink offering, and that
the time of his departure was at hand; but that he
took comfort in the thought, that he had fought a
good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith,
and that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge,
should give him at that day. 2 Tim. 4:6–8.

According to ancient records he was then beheaded
at the command of Nero, outside of Rome,
on the road that leads to Ostia, called Via Ostiensis,
where the Romans used to have their place of execution,
in the last year of Nero, or about A. D. 69.
Joh. Gys. in the History of the Martyrs, from Joseph
Scaliger, about Paul. Egesipp. Hist. Destruc.
Jerusal., lib. 3, cap. 2. Konst-tooneel van veertig
heerlijke afbeeldingen Christi en sijner Apostelen,
printed Anno 1609; about the life of Paul. Itinerarium
Sacræ Scripturæ, per H. Bunting, translated
into the Dutch by Matthias Hazard; printed Anno
1642, in the Travels of Paul, page 162. col. 1.

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