He had hoped to conceal his intention from the idlers at the gate by bringing the strangers to his home by a circuitous route; but their hesitation and delay, and his persistent urging, caused them to be observed, and before they had retired for the night, a lawless crowd gathered about the house. It was an immense company, youth and aged men alike inflamed by the vilest passions. The strangers had been making inquiry in regard to the character of the city, and Lot had warned them not to venture out of his door that night, when the hooting and jeers of the mob were heard, demanding that the men be brought out to them.

Ved at føre de fremmede til sit hus ad en omvej håbede han at kunne skjule sin hensigt for dem, der drev omkring ved porten; men på grund af de fremmedes tøven og hans vedholdende nøden blev der lagt mærke til dem, og inden de var gået til ro, samledes en lovløs skare omkring huset. Det var en meget stor flok af unge og gamle, alle sammen optændt af de værste lidenskaber. De fremmede havde forhørt sig om forholdene i byen, og Lot havde netop advaret dem imod at vove sig uden for hans dør om natten, da pøbelen råbte og hujede og krævede at mændene skulle føres ud til dem.