Cities & towns · Cilicia (Asia Minor)
Tarsus
What was Tarsus?
Tarsus, a university city of Cilicia, was the hometown of Saul — the apostle Paul.
TodayTarsus, in south-central Türkiye
RegionCilicia, Asia Minor
Famous sonPaul the apostle
“A citizen of no ordinary city,” Paul said of Tarsus, a prosperous center of learning and trade near the Cilician coast.
Born a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen from birth, Saul grew up between synagogue and Greek culture — a preparation, in hindsight, for his calling to the nations.
After his conversion, the church sent him home to Tarsus for safety, and from there Barnabas fetched him to teach in Antioch.
Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Acts 9:11 ““Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.” Acts 11:25 “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,” Acts 21:39 “But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.””
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Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.