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Where Was Antipas Martyred?
Let's look at the death place of Saint Antipas, a bishop. The Lord Jesus called him His Faithful Martyr while talking to one of the seven churches, as documented by Apostle John in the Book of Revelation.
Here are The 6 facts surrounding Antipas's death by burning in The New Testament from Scripture and historical sources.
We'll specifically answer the question on where he was martyred below.
Where Was Bishop Antipas Martyred?
- Antipas was martyred AD 68 or 92 in Pergamon, Asia Minor.
- Pergamon, the place of Atipas death, is located 26 kilometers from the Aegean coast and northwest of Bergama, Izmir, Asia Minor.
- Antipas' death was by fire in a hollow-life-sized bull that had a fire under its belly.
- Antipas is believed to have died during the reign of Nero or Emperor Domitian of the Roman Empire.
- According to historians, scholars, Christian tradition, and the biblical account, it was because he refused to renounce faith in Christ Jesus.
- He is mentioned by The Lord Jesus Christ Himself in Revelation 2:13
More on Antipas from The Early Church Fathers
| Source | Quote | Context / Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Revelation 2:13 (New Testament) | "I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells." (ESV) | Antipas is referred to as a “faithful witness” (Greek: μάρτυς = martyr), martyred in Pergamum, a center of pagan worship (called “Satan’s throne”). This is the only direct mention of him in the New Testament. |
| Andreas of Caesarea (6th century) | "Antipas, who is spoken of in the Apocalypse of John, was bishop of Pergamum, and a faithful witness of Christ who was put to death in that city for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." | Andreas was an early commentator on Revelation. His commentary aligns with the tradition that Antipas was the bishop of Pergamum, martyred for his faith. |
| Symeon Metaphrastes (10th century, hagiographer) | “The blessed Antipas, bishop of Pergamum, was seized by the ungodly for preaching Christ, and was cast into a bronze bull heated with fire, where he gave up his spirit in the midst of flames, praying for his persecutors.” | Though later, Symeon's work reflects earlier martyrological traditions. The image of death by bronze bull (an ancient torture device) is common in martyrologies. |
| Hippolytus of Rome (Attributed, 3rd century; not confirmed) | [No direct quote survives in extant works, but he is sometimes associated with traditions that mention early bishops and martyrs.] | Some traditions attribute mention of Antipas to Hippolytus, though this cannot be confirmed from surviving texts. |
| Eastern Orthodox Tradition / Menologion of Basil II | “Saint Antipas, Bishop of Pergamos and Disciple of Saint John the Theologian, martyred under the Emperor Domitian, being burned alive in a brazen bull for his fearless preaching of the Gospel.” | The Menologion is a synaxarion (calendar of saints) and a reliable witness to the Byzantine tradition. It affirms Antipas’s link to St. John the Apostle and his martyrdom under Domitian (AD 81–96). |
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Martyr of Saint Antipas according to Revelation 2:13-14 (New Testament)
“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Conclusion: Antipas, the bishop of the Christian Church at Pergamos was martyed under the reign of either Nero or Domitian some time between AD 62 and AD 92
Want To Learn More About Antipas In The Bible?
We do not endorse Roman Catholicism but this is a knowledgeable resource on Antipas and manliness.
