Legends of Peter

[ABOVE: Benozzo Gozzoli (Florence c. 1421-22-Pistoia 1497), The Fall of Simon Magus, RCIN 403372—Royal Collection / Wikimedia]

The apocryphal Acts of Peter and Paul dates back to the fifth century. Its author is anonymous, though some versions claim a “Marcellus” as the writer. The narrative below perpetuates the legend of Peter’s martyrdom and shares an account of the conflict with the sorcerer Simon Magus who is written of in Acts 8.

SIMON VERSUS SIMON

Then Simon [Magus] went up upon the tower in the face of all, and, crowned with laurels, he stretched forth his hands, and began to fly. And when Nero saw him flying, he said to Peter: “This Simon is true; but you and Paul are deceivers.”

To whom Peter said: “Immediately shall you know that we are true disciples of Christ; but that he is not Christ, but a magician, and a malefactor.”

Nero said, “Do you still persist? Behold, you see him going up into heaven.”

Then Peter, looking steadfastly upon Paul, said, “Paul, look up and see.”

And Paul, having looked up, full of tears, and seeing Simon flying, said, “Peter, why are you idle? Finish what you have begun; for already our Lord Jesus Christ is calling us.”

And Nero hearing them, smiled a little, and said: “These men see themselves worsted already, and are gone mad.”

Peter said, “Now you shall know that we are not mad.”

Paul said to Peter, “Do at once what you do.”

And Peter, looking steadfastly against Simon, said, “I adjure you, you angels of Satan, who are carrying him into the air, to deceive the hearts of the unbelievers, by the God that created all things, and by Jesus Christ, whom on the third day He raised from the dead, no longer from this hour to keep him up, but to let him go.”

And immediately, being let go, he fell into a place called Sacra Via, that is, Holy Way, and was divided into four parts, having perished by an evil fate.

SIMON PETER’S MARTYRDOM

And Peter, having come to the cross, said, “Since my Lord Jesus Christ, who came down from the heaven upon the earth, was raised upon the cross upright, and He has deigned to call to heaven me, who am of the earth, my cross ought to be fixed head down most, so as to direct my feet toward heaven; for I am not worthy to be crucified like my Lord.”

Then, having reversed the cross, they nailed his

feet up.

And the multitude was assembled reviling Caesar and wishing to kill him. But Peter restrained them, saying: “A few days ago, being exhorted by the brethren, I was going away; and my Lord Jesus Christ met me, and having adored Him, I said, ‘Lord, whither are You going?’ And He said to me, ‘I am going to Rome to be crucified.’ And I said to Him, ‘Lord, were You not crucified once for all?’ And the Lord answering, said, ‘I saw you fleeing from death, and I wish to be crucified instead of you.’ And I said, ‘Lord, I go; I fulfill Your command.’”. . .

And having thus spoken, he gave up the ghost.