When Christ was upon earth, the Jews all over the land were notified to watch his movements, for their religion was not safe where his influence was felt. He was continually followed by spies, who caught up every word and act which they could use against him. Paul had to meet the same spirit of opposition and blind prejudice. He preached first in the synagogue, reasoning from Moses and the prophets, showing what sins the Lord had most severely punished in olden times, and that murmuring and rebellion was the grievous crime that had brought God’s displeasure upon the people of his choice.{LP 103.2}

Da Kristus var på jorden, gav jøderne over hele landet efterretning om at følge hans bevægelser, for deres religion var ikke sikker der hvor hans indflydelse kunne mærkes. Han blev hele tiden efterfulgt af spioner, som opfangede alle ord og handlinger som de kunne bruge imod ham. Paulus måtte mode den same modstand og blinde fordom. Først forkyndte han i synagogen, underviste ud fra Moses og profeterne, og viste hvilke synder Herren havde straffet hårdest i gamle tider, og at knurren og oprør var en alvorlig forbrydelse som havde pådraget Guds mishag over hans udvalgte folk.