How did Saul of Tarsus think he could stop the believers?
Saul of Tarsus thought he could stamp out the believers by putting them to death and putting them in prison. His self-righteous mentality drove him to persecute those who embraced Christ as Messiah, believing he could eliminate the movement entirely.
Les explains that Saul of Tarsus is typical of the older brother in the parable, representing the self-righteous Pharisees in Israel. They had been under the covenant promises but were so filled with their own importance that they saw no need. When they saw believers embracing Christ as Messiah, it made them angry. Saul thought he could stamp them out by putting them to death and putting them in prison. This illustrates the self-righteous mentality that cannot see its own need for salvation.