Since his conversion, Paul’s visits to Jerusalem had always been attended with anxiety, and with a feeling of remorse as he gazed upon scenes that recalled his former life. There was the school of Gamaliel, where he had received his education, the synagogue in which he worshiped, the house where the high priest had given him his commission to Damascus, the spot where the blood of Stephen had witnessed for Christ. As the apostle gazed upon the place for martyrdom, the scene in all its vividness rose up before him. Was he going forward to a similar fate? Never had he trod the streets of Jerusalem with so sad a heart as now. He knew that he would find few friends and many enemies. In the crowds around him were thousands whom the very mention of his name would excite to madness. He was in the city which had been the murderer of the prophets, which had rejected and slain the Son of God, and over which now hung the threatenings of divine wrath. Remembering how bitter had been his own prejudice against the followers of Christ, he felt the deepest pity for his deluded countrymen. And yet how little hope could he feel that he would be able to benefit them! The same blind wrath which had once burned in his own heart, was now with untold power kindling the hearts of a whole nation against him. {LP 206.2}

Siden sin omvendelse, var Paulus besøg i Jerusalem altid forbundet med ængstelse, og med en følelse af samvittighedsnag idet han så på det som var sket i hans tidligere liv. Der var Gamaliels skole hvor han havde fået sin uddannelse, og synagogen hvor han havde tilbedt, det hus hvor ypperstepræsten havde sendt ham til Damaskus, den plet hvor Stefanus blod bevidnede om Kristus. Idet apostlen stirrede på martyrstedet, scenerierne rejste sig for ham i al sin livagtighed. Var han på vej mod en lignende skæbne? Han har aldrig betrådt Jerusalems gader med så bedrøvet hjerte som nu. Han vidste at han kun ville finde få venner og mange fjender. I folkemængden omkring ham var der tusindvis hvor hans navns nævnelse ville opildne til vanvid. Han var i den by hvor profeterne var blevet myrdet, som havde forkastet og ihjelslået Guds Søn, og over hvem den truende guddommelige vrede hang over. Når vi husker hvor bitre hans egne fordomme havde været imod Kristi efterfølgere, følte han den dybeste medynk for hans vildførte landsmænd. Og hvor et lille håb han kunne have for at han kunne hjælpe dem! Den blinde vrede som tidligere brændte i hans eget hjerte, tændte nu op i hjerterne med usigelig kraft, for et helt folk imod ham.