Persecution Shouldn't Come As A Shock To Us. ...

Persecution shouldn’t come as a shock to us. Jesus forewarned His followers that they would be mistreated and even killed. Listen to how several of the disciples of Jesus died. According to church tradition …

• Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword in Ethiopia.

• Mark expired at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city.

• Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the land of Greece.

• Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward.

• James the Apostle was beheaded at Jerusalem.

• James the brother of Jesus was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and then beaten to death with a club.

• Bartholomew was flayed alive.

• Thomas was run through with a lance in the East Indies.

• Jude was shot to death by arrows.

• Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.

• Barnabas was stoned to death.

• And Paul was beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

As a matter of fact, the only Apostle to escape violent death was the Apostle John. He was banished to the Island of Patmos, but later released and returned to Asia Minor.