In common with his nation, Saul had cherished the hope of a Messiah who should reign as a temporal prince, to break from the neck of Israel the Roman yoke, and exalt her to the throne of universal empire. He had no personal knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth or of his mission, but he readily imbibed the scorn and hatred of the rabbis toward one who was so far from fulfilling their ambitious hopes; and after the death of Christ, he eagerly joined with priests and rulers in the persecution of his followers as a proscribed and hated sect.{LP 10.2}

Ligesom hans folk, nærede Saulus håbet om en Messias, som skulle regere som en timelig fyrster, der bryder det romerske åg, fra Israels hals, og ophøje hende til det universelle riges trone. Han kendte ikke personligt til Jesus af Nazaret eller til hans mission, men han opslugte hurtig rabbinernes hån og had mod ham, som langt fra opfyldte deres ærgerrige håb; og efter Kristi død, sluttede han så ivrigt sammen præsterne og herskerne i at forfølge hans efterfølgere, som en forbudt og hadet sekt.