Excerpt from the Acts of Peter (c. 150-200 C.E.)

[Peter has been preaching the city of Rome, and converted several wives and concubines of Roman officials to a life of chastity. These official have begun to arrest and persecute Christians in Rome.]

And as they considered these things, Xanthippe took knowledge of the counsel of her husband with Agrippa, and sent and showed Peter, that he might depart from Rome. And the rest of the brethren, together with Marcellus, begged him to depart.

But Peter said to them: "Shall we be runaways, brethren?"

And they said to him: "No, but that you may yet be able to serve the Lord!"

And he obeyed the brethren's voice and went forth alone, saying: "Let none of you come forth with me, but I will go forth alone, having changed the fashion of my clothes."

And as he left the city, he saw the Lord entering into Rome. And when he saw him, he said: "Lord, where are you going (quo vadis, Domine?)"

And the Lord said to him: "I go into Rome to be crucified."

And Peter said to him: "Lord, will you be crucified again?"

He said to him: "Yes, Peter, I shall be crucified again."

And Peter came to himself; and, having beheld the Lord ascending up into heaven, he returned to Rome, rejoicing, and glorifying the Lord, for that which he said, "I am being crucified," was to befall Peter.

[Peter returns and is crucified upside down.]