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 Cependant Saul, respirant encore la menace et le meurtre contre les disciples du Seigneur, se rendit chez le souverain sacrificateur,