On the morning of that eventful day, Saul had neared Damascus with feelings of self-satisfaction because of the confidence that had been placed in him by the chief priest. To 118 him had been entrusted grave responsibilities. He was commissioned to further the interests of the Jewish religion by checking, if possible, the spread of the new faith in Damascus. He had determined that his mission should be crowned with success and had looked forward with eager anticipation to the experiences that he expected were before him.

Om morgenen på denne begivenhedsrige dag havde Saulus nærmet sig Damaskus med en følelse af selvtilfredshed på grund af den tillid, som ypperstepræsterne viste ham. De havde betroet ham et stort ansvar. Det var hans opgave at fremme den jødiske religions interesser ved om muligt at standse udbredelsen af den nye tro i Damaskus. Det var hans faste beslutning, at hans udsendelse skulle krones med held, og han havde med ivrig forventning set hen til de oplevelser, som han ventede, at fremtiden ville bringe.