City in Cilicia, birthplace of the apostle Paul
Tarsus
Named in 5 verses of Acts, first in Acts 9:11.
ΤαρσόςTarsus
ΤαρσεύςTarsus
The name means “winged; feathered.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Tarsus Written by AI
Tarsus was a prominent city in the Roman province of Cilicia, located in modern-day southern Turkey. It is best known as the birthplace and early residence of the apostle Paul (Act.22.3). Paul described himself as "a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city" (Act.21.39), indicating Tarsus' significance and his own status as a citizen. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul spent time in Tarsus (Act.9.30) before being brought to Antioch by Barnabas (Act.11.25). Tarsus was a center of Greek culture and learning, with a renowned university. It was also an important commercial hub, situated on major trade routes. The city's strategic location and cultural influence shaped Paul's background and prepared him for his future ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
The chief city of Cilicia. It was distinguished for its wealth and for its schools of learning, in which it rivalled, nay, excelled even Athens and Alexandria, and hence was spoken of as “no mean city.” It was the native place of the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:39). It stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, about 12 miles north of the Mediterranean. It is said to have been founded by Sardanapalus, king of Assyria. It is now a filthy, ruinous Turkish town, called Tersous. (See PAUL.)
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
36.918, 34.892 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- 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 9:30
When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
- 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.”
- Acts 22:3
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.