St Paul
Hello,
Thank you and God bless you. Anne-Marie
QUESTION from Anne-Marie on May 29, 2004
This is more a history question, but I am sure you know the answer. We know that St Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die as his Master. St Paul could not be crucified but was beheaded. Is it because he was a Roman citizen? or why?
ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on June 3, 2004
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Dear Anne-Marie: There are two times when beheading was most commonly used as a method of execution: 1) for those who cursed or insulted royalty (2 Sam. 16:9; 2 Kings 6:31-32). 2) for Roman Citizens St. John the Baptist was beheaded not only because this was desired by Herod's wife, but also, more-in-likely, because he has insulted Herod. St. Paul was arrested in the Holy Land but was sent to Rome for trial because Paul demanded this as a right of a Roman Citizen. He was probably beheaded, rather than crucified, because he was a Roman Citizen, as opposed to St. Peter who, as a non-Roman citizen, was crucified.
God Bless, |