And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.Bruegel is not only illustrating the biblical text; he is also stressing the need for faith and condemning the sin of pride.

[4] This work was acquired by Archduke Ernest of Austria in 1594, subsequently passing into the imperial collections with Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor.

Some critics have suggested that the scene depicted by Bruegel refers to contemporaneous events, especially the crossing of the Alps by Don Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba in 1567, as he was marching into the Netherlands at the head of an army of 10,000 men to sedate the Dutch revolts.

[5] More probably, Bruegel's depiction of Paul's conversion taking place high up on a pine-clad mountain pass may have been suggested by an engraving of 1509 by Lucas van Leyden.

This is a familiar mannerist device which is intended to tease the spectator and draw his eye deep into the picture space in search of the principal subject.