Jesus followed His commission of Peter with a prophecy. Jesus indicated that later in his life, Peter will lose the freedom to dress himself and go where he wishes, thus pointing to imprisonment. The stretching out of his hands may indicate the manner of his death: crucifixion. Peter did indeed die of crucifixion by the order of Nero in Rome at an uncertain date (64 – 67 AD?). The fulfillment of this prophecy began soon after the ascension of Christ (Acts 4:3, 5:18, 12:4).

Acts 4:3  They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.

Acts 5:18  They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Acts 12:4  After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

This prophecy may have given purpose to Peter’s life and made him more determined to follow Jesus, but it was Jesus who decided to tell Peter these things and not Peter who asked. Jesus, in His wisdom, knows who to tell and how much. We should be careful to not ask for something we may not want to have. How would you have liked to live with this knowledge the rest of your life?