ACC ~ John 21 v18

YOUNG AND OLD AGE CONTRASTED

CHRYSOSTOM: But how is it that after having said, “When you were young,” he added, “When you are old”? By this he meant that Peter was not young at that time (because he was not), though still not yet an old man, but rather one in the prime of life. So why then did he recall to his memory his former life? He did so to make clear to Peter his standard of values. In the eyes of the world the young man is useful, the old useless. In life with me, Jesus says, this is not the case. Rather, when old age has come on, then nobility shines brighter and courage becomes more illustrious, being unimpeded by youthful passion. This he said not to terrify but to rouse Peter, for he knew about his love and that he long had yearned for this blessing. At the same time he declares the kind of death he will die. For since Peter always wanted to be in danger for his sake, “Be of good cheer,” he says, “I will so satisfy your desire that, what you didn’t suffer when you were young, you will suffer when you are old.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 88.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:332**; PG 59:479.

JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S GLORIOUS MARTYRDOM

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Since the Lord saw that he was tortured by the memory of the past, and that he was heavily burdened and grieved at remembering his denial, he revealed to him what he would suffer for his denial. Peter himself resigned everything to the knowledge of our Lord who taught him about the great change in circumstances he would undergo when he said, Do not be afraid about the future. Indeed I know that your love for me is so firm that you will be crucified for me upside down. And since these words of the Lord were not clear, they were explained by the evangelist: “He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.”

“Someone else will fasten a belt,” because those who die the death of the cross are fastened to the wood. When Nero ordered his execution on the cross, Peter asked his executioners to crucify him upside down, that is, with his head down and his feet up. He did this so that simple people might not worship him like they did Christ because of their, otherwise, identical passion. Therefore, Peter taught people to worship the cross of the Lord [and not his], in order not to give those who like to argue the pretext to object: “In what does the cross of the Lord differ from that of Simon? Both of them were fixed to the cross in the same manner.” Therefore he changed how he would die on his cross. … The words, “and take you where you do not wish to go,” are said because the crucified must necessarily be bound by others where he doesn’t want to be. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 7.21.18-19. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:362-63.