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 faith, many had left the city, and those who remained were greatly depressed and intimidated. At Paul’s first arrival, the Jews of Rome had been willing to listen to his arguments; but through the influence of emissaries from Jerusalem, and also because of the received charges against the Christians, they had become his bitter enemies. {LP 306.1}

På sin anden rejse til Rom, var Paulus ledsaget af flere af hans tidligere ledsagere, andre ønskede alvorligt at dele hans lod, men han nægtede at lade dem bringe deres liv i fare. De udsigter han havde for sig, var langt mindre gunstige end ved hans tidligere fængsling. Forfølgelsen under Nero havde formindsket antallet af kristne i Rom. Tusinde led martyrdøden for deres tro, mange havde forladt byen, og dem som forblev tilbage var meget fortrængte og truede. Ved Paulus første ankomst, var Roms jøder villige til at lytte til hans argumenter; men under påvirkning fra udsendte fra Jerusalem, og også fordi de tog imod anklagerne imod kristne, blev de hans bitreste fjender.