Never before had the apostle approached Jerusalem with so sad a heart. He knew that he would find few friends and 398 many enemies. He was nearing the city which had rejected and slain the Son of God and over which now hung the threatenings of divine wrath. Remembering how bitter had been his own prejudice against the followers of Christ, he felt the deepest pity for his deluded countrymen. And yet how little could he hope that he would be able to help them! The same blind wrath which had once burned in his own heart, was now with untold power kindling the hearts of a whole nation against him.

Aldrig nogensinde tidligere var apostlen draget til Jerusalem så tung om hjertet. Han vidste, at han dér ville finde få venner og mange fjender. Han nærmede sig den by, der havde forkastet og dræbt Guds Søn og som nu var overskygget af truslen om Guds vrede. Ved tanken om, hvor hård han selv havde været i sine fordomme mod Kristi disciple, følte han den dybeste medlidenhed med sine vildførte landsmænd. Men hvor lidt kunne han alligevel gøre sig håb om at være i stand til at hjælpe dem! Det samme blinde raseri, som engang havde brændt i hans eget hjerte, opflammede nu med usigelig kraft et helt folks hjerter imod ham.