During Paul's final trial before Nero, the emperor had been so strongly impressed with the force of the apostle's words that he deferred the decision of the case, neither acquitting nor condemning the accused servant of God. But the emperor's malice against Paul soon returned. Exasperated by his inability to check the spread of the Christian religion, even in the imperial household, he determined that as soon as a plausible pretext could be found, the apostle should be put to death. Not long afterward Nero pronounced the decision that condemned Paul to a martyr's death. Inasmuch as a Roman citizen could not be subjected to torture, he was sentenced to be beheaded.

Ved den sidste retshandling af Paulus sag i overværelse at Nero havde apostlens ord gjort et så stærkt indtryk på kejseren, at han udsatte afgørelsen af sagen, idet han hverken frikendte eller dømte Guds tjener. Men snart vendte kejserens had til Paulus tilbage. I raseri over ikke at være i stand til at standse udbredelsen af den kristne religion, selv ikke indenfor sin egen husstand, besluttede han, at apostlen skulle henrettes, så snart der kunne findes et rimeligt påskud. Det varede ikke længe, før Nero traf den afgørelse, at Paulus skulle dø martyrdøden. Eftersom en romersk borger ikke kunne underkastes tortur, blev han dømt til at halshugges.