I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Study Helps
Interpretation
The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of God.
Glossary
- Cilicia Place
- Biblical region. Modern identification: Tarsus.
- City People
- The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
- Gamaliel Tribe
- Reward of God. (1. ) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh at the census at Sinai ( Num. 1:10 ; 2:20 ; 7:54 , 59). (2. ) The son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel.
- Jerusalem Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
- Jew Tribe
- The name derived from the patriarch Judah, at first given to one belonging to the tribe of Judah or to the separate kingdom of Judah.
- Tarsus Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tarsus.