Many of the Jews who had been banished from Rome some years previously, had been allowed to return, so that large numbers were now to be found there. To these, first of all, Paul determined to present the facts concerning himself and his work, before his enemies should have opportunity to embitter them against him. Three days after his arrival in Rome, therefore, he called together their leading men and in a simple, direct manner stated why he had come to Rome as a prisoner.

Mange af de jøder, der for nogle år siden var blevet forvist fra Rom, havde fået tilladelse til at vende tilbage og der fandtes nu mange af dem i byen. Paulus besluttede at forelægge dem de virkelige forhold om sig selv og sin virksomhed, før hans fjender fik lejlighed til at forbitre deres sind imod ham. Tre dage efter sin ankomst til Rom sammenkaldte han derfor deres ledende mænd og meddelte dem enkelt og tydeligt, hvorfor han var kommet til Rom som fange.