Tarsus was a prominent city in the Roman province of Cilicia, located in modern-day southern Turkey. It is most well known in Scripture as the birthplace of the Apostle Paul. Acts 22:3 records Paul saying, “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city [Jerusalem] at the feet of Gamaliel.” This highlights both his Hellenistic background and his Jewish training under a renowned teacher of the Law.
Tarsus was a significant cultural and educational center in the Roman world. It had a reputation for learning and was considered on par with Athens and Alexandria. This environment contributed to Paul’s ability to interact with both Jewish and Gentile audiences and to write with clarity and depth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 9:11, after Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, the Lord instructed Ananias to find him in the house of Judas on Straight Street in Damascus, noting that he was “of Tarsus.” Later, when the Jewish believers in Jerusalem feared Paul because of his past persecution of the church, Barnabas brought him to the apostles and testified of his transformation (Acts 9:26–27).
When persecution intensified in Jerusalem, the brethren sent Paul away to Tarsus for his safety (Acts 9:30). He remained there until Barnabas sought him out and brought him to Antioch to help with the growing church (Acts 11:25–26). This began Paul’s missionary partnership with Barnabas and his wider ministry to the Gentiles.
Tarsus represents both Paul’s cultural roots and the starting point of his transformation from a persecutor of the church to its greatest missionary. It stands as a reminder that God can call individuals from any background and use their unique experiences for the advancement of His kingdom.
