And he could not count upon the sympathy and support of even his own brethren in the faith. The unconverted Jews who had followed so closely upon his track, had not been slow to circulate the most unfavorable reports at Jerusalem, both personally and by letter, concerning him and his work; and some, even of the apostles and elders, had received these reports as truth, making no attempt to contradict them, and manifesting no desire to harmonize with him.

Og han kunne ikke engang regne med sine egne trosfællers forståelse og støtte. De uomvendte jøder, der var fulgt lige i hælene på ham, havde ikke spildt tiden, men både personligt og skriftligt udspredt de mest ugunstige rygter i Jerusalem om ham og hans virksomhed. Og nogle, selv blandt apostlene og de ældste, havde antaget disse rygter for at være sandhed og ikke gjort noget forsøg på at modsige dem eller vist noget ønske om at samarbejde med ham.