Christian nears the Wicket Gate via the path on which Evangelist sent him after he was diverted by Mr. Worldly Wiseman and Mr. Legality into seeking deliverance without traveling through the Wicket Gate, and Evangelist has assured him that Christian will be welcomed there. As he is about to step through the gate, he is suddenly grabbed and quickly pulled through by a character named Good-will. He is told that near the gate,

A strong castle has been built and its captain is named Beelzebub. From there, both he and his army shoot arrows at those who seek entrance at the Gate, endeavoring to slay pilgrims before they pass through.

Beelzebub is Satan himself, and he tries to keep Christians from entering the Wicket Gate, a necessary step on the way to God. Therefore, it stands to reason that the arrows he shoots are symbolic of temptations to sin, which the Devil might present us in order to keep us from Jesus Christ. After all, Good-will is later revealed to be Christ himself.