On his second voyage to Rome, Paul was accompanied by several of his former companions; others earnestly desired to share his lot, but he refused to permit them thus to imperil their lives. The prospect before him was far less favorable than at the time of his former imprisonment. The persecution under Nero had greatly lessened the number of Christians in Rome. Thousands had been martyred for their 490 faith, many had left the city, and those who remained were greatly depressed and intimidated.

På sin anden rejse til Rom var Paulus ledsaget af flere af sine tidligere fæller. Der var andre, som inderligt ønskede at dele skæbne med ham, men han nægtede at give dem tilladelse til således at sætte deres liv i fare. Hans udsigter var langt mindre gunstige end under hans tidligere fangenskab. Forfølgelsen under Nero havde i høj grad formindsket antallet af kristne i Rom. Tusinder havde lidt martyrdøden for deres tros skyld, mange havde forladt byen og de, som var blevet tilbage, var dybt nedtrykte og ængstede.