Saul was involved in attempts to suppress the followers of Jesus ever since the execution of Stephen (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1, Acts 8:3).1 Though it was his desire to kill, it is doubtful that he had legal authority to do so since Jerusalem was under Roman control.2 His zeal was modelled after old covenant believers (see Numbers 25:7–13; 1 Kings 18:40; 1 Kings 19:10, 1 Kings 19:14; Psalm 106:30–31)3 and driven by a conviction that Christians were heretics.4
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest