Ταρσός (Tarsos)
Tarsos
Tarsus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Tarsos refers to Tarsus, a prominent city in the Roman province of Cilicia. It appears exclusively in the Acts of the Apostles, where it serves as the geographic anchor for the Apostle Paul’s background. The text identifies it as his birthplace and early home, establishing the setting for his initial training before his missionary journeys.
Historical sources describe Tarsus as a major center of commerce and education, often compared to Athens and Alexandria for its intellectual reputation. Situated on the fertile banks of the Cydnus River, it was a free city that welcomed Roman leaders like Julius Caesar. The name itself may derive from a word meaning "flat basket," though the lexicon notes this etymology without confirming its direct relevance to the city’s identity.
Acts uses the city name to highlight Paul’s dual heritage as both a Jew and a Roman citizen. In Acts 21:39 and 22:3, Paul invokes his Tarsian origin to address crowds in Jerusalem, using his civic status to gain a hearing for his message. This detail grounds the theological narrative in a specific, historically significant location.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Tarsus was more than a dot on a map; it was a place where cultures met. For Paul, growing up in this bustling city meant he carried two identities: a devout Jew and a citizen of the Roman world. This background allowed him to speak effectively to diverse audiences later in his ministry.
When we read about Tarsus, we see how God uses our specific histories for His purposes. Your own unique experiences, education, or cultural setting are not accidents. They can become bridges that help others understand the Gospel in ways they might not have expected.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tarsus2×
- Tarsus.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ταρσῷ1×
- Ταρσόν.¶1×
- Ταρσὸν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 9:30
When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
This verse shows Tarsus as a place of safety and rest for Paul after his conversion, highlighting it as his home base before new missions began.
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Acts 11:25
Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
Here, Barnabas travels to Tarsus specifically to find Saul, indicating that the city was known as his established residence and center of activity at that time.
-
Acts 22:3
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today.
Paul explicitly cites his birth in Tarsus to establish his credibility as a Roman citizen and serious student of Jewish law, bridging his two worlds before the crowd.