Scriptural Reference for Saul's Return to Tarsus
The biblical record indicates that Saul, who later became known as Paul, returned to Tarsus on at least one occasion after his conversion. This event is primarily documented in the book of Acts.
Saul, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia [2, 3], experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) [5, 7]. Following this, he spent some time in Damascus and then went to Jerusalem. While in Jerusalem, Saul preached boldly, but his life was threatened by Hellenistic Jews who sought to kill him (Acts 9:29). To protect him, "the believers heard about the plot, Saul was once again sent away (cp. 9:25), this time to Tarsus, his hometown, the capital of Cilicia" (Acts 9:30) [4]. The believers brought him down to Caesarea, a coastal city, and from there sent him to Tarsus [8].
Paul himself corroborates this journey in his letter to the Galatians, stating, "Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia" (Galatians 1:21). This statement aligns with the account in Acts, suggesting that instead of sailing directly to Tarsus, he may have landed at Seleucia and then traveled through the region of Cilicia to reach Tarsus [8].
This period in Tarsus was not a permanent retirement from ministry. Later, Barnabas, seeking assistance for the growing church in Antioch, "went out to Tarsus to look for Saul" (Acts 11:25) [1]. Upon finding him, Barnabas brought Saul back to Antioch, where they ministered together for a year, teaching a large number of people (Acts 11:26). This marks Saul's re-entry into active public ministry after his time in Tarsus.
Tarsus itself was a significant city, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in Asia Minor [3, 4]. It was situated on the Cydnus River, making it a hub for commercial traffic with various countries along the Mediterranean and central Asia Minor [3]. Saul's background as a "Hebrew of the Hebrews" born in this Gentile city highlights his unique position as an apostle to the Gentiles, a role God specifically chose him for (Acts 9:15) [2, 11].
It is important to distinguish this Saul (Paul) from other figures named Saul in biblical history. For instance, Saul, the first king of Israel, is mentioned returning to his place in 1 Samuel (e.g., 1 Samuel 26:25) [9, 10]. This earlier Saul's movements are distinct and relate to his conflicts with David and the Philistines [6, 12, 13]. The Saul of Tarsus, however, is the apostle whose conversion and subsequent ministry are central to the narrative of the early Christian church [5]. Luke recounts Saul's conversion three times in Acts (9:1-19; 22:1-21; 26:1-29), underscoring its importance [5]. Paul also alludes to this experience in his epistles, further emphasizing its foundational role in his life and ministry (1 Corinthians 15:8-10; Galatians 1:11-17; Philippians 3:4-11; 1 Timothy 1:12-17) [5].
Sources
- Acts “Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. -- Acts 11:25”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Paul — (small, little). Nearly all the original materials for the life St. Paul are contained in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. (It is not improbable that he was born between A.D. and A.D. 5.) Up to the time of his going forth as an avowed preacher of Christ to the Gentiles, the apostle was known by the name of Saul. This was the Jewish name which he received from his Jewish parents. But though a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he was born in a Gentile city. Of his parents we know nothing, except that his fathe”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Paul — =Saul (q.v.) was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy "for use in the Gentile world," as "Saul" would be his Hebrew home-name. He was a native of Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in the south-east of Asia Minor. That city stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, which was navigable thus far; hence it became a centre of extensive commercial traffic with many countries along the shores of the Mediterranean, as well as with the countries of central Asia Min”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 9:30: 9:30 After the believers heard about the plot, Saul was once again sent away (cp. 9:25), this time to Tarsus, his hometown, the capital of Cilicia (see 21:39; 22:3; 23:34; cp. Gal 1:21).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 9:1: 9:1-19 The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road is of central importance to the narrative of Acts—Luke recounts the story three times (also 22:1-21; 26:1-29). Paul (Saul) also alludes to this experience several times in his letters (1 Cor 15:8-10; Gal 1:11-17; Phil 3:4-11; see 1 Tim 1:12-17). Saul’s conversion was his prophetic call and commission as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 22:15, 21; 26:15-18). No one is beyond the power of God to reach, redeem, and use for holy purposes—nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Paul was prepared through his training, ”
- 1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 24:1: Saul was returned - It is very probable that it was only a small marauding party that had made an excursion in the Israelitish borders, and this invasion was soon suppressed.”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 26:12: Whereupon as I went to Damascus - See the whole account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus explained at large, in the notes on Act 9:2 (note), etc.”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 9:30: they brought him down to CÃ&brvbrsarea--on the coast (see on Act 8:40); accompanying him thus far. But Paul had another reason than his own apprehension for quitting Jerusalem so soon. "While he was praying in the temple, he was in a trance," and received express injunctions to this effect. (See on Act 22:17-21). and sent him forth to Tarsus--In Gal 1:21 he himself says of this journey, that he "came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia"; from which it is natural to infer that instead of sailing direct for Tarsus, he landed at Seleucia, travelled then”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 26:25: Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will indeed be king and will indeed succeed.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 26:21: Then Saul said, “I am guilty. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my soul was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have been foolish and behaved exceedingly obtusely.””
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 9:15: 9:15 Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles: In God’s plan for spreading the Good News, the Gentiles were the next step (see 1:8; cp. chs 10–11). Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was God’s choice to spearhead this expansive missionary effort to bring the Christian message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. The rest of Acts illustrates Saul’s (Paul’s) faithfulness in carrying out this divine commission (e.g., 26:19-23).”
- 1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 24 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 24 Saul being returned from following the Philistines, renews his pursuit after David, Sa1 24:1; and they meeting in a cave, where David had the opportunity of taking away the life of Saul, which his men pressed him to, yet only cut off the skirt of his robe, Sa1 24:3; which, calling after him, he held up to him to convince him he had his life in his hands, but spared it, Sa1 24:9; upon which he very pathetically reasons with him about the unreasonableness and unrighteousness of his pursuit after him, to take away his life”
- 1 Samuel (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Samuel 10:9: When Saul went away from Samuel, to return to Gibeah, "God changed to him another heart," - a pregnant expression for "God changed him, and gave him another heart" (see at Sa1 10:6); and all these signs (the signs mentioned by Samuel) happened on that very day. As he left Samuel early in the morning, Saul could easily reach Gibeah in one day, even if the town where he had met with Samuel was situated to the south-west of Rachel's tomb, as the distance from that tomb to Gibeah was not more than three and a half or four hours. Sa1 10:10 The third sign is the on”