Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a Jerusalem crowd that has quieted because he speaks Hebrew, standing between his self-introduction and his account of persecuting the Way.
The words — The text identifies Paul as a man (ἀνὴρ, anēr) who is Jewish (Ἰουδαῖος, Ioudaios) and born (γεγεννημένος, gegennēmenos) in Tarsus (Ταρσῷ, Tarsō).
The thread — Paul’s Jewish lineage, Pharisaic training, and zeal for God appear in Philippians 3:5 and Acts 26:5, while Gamaliel’s role as a respected teacher of the law is noted in Acts 5:34.
Why it lands — The text asserts Paul’s orthodox Jewish credentials and intense devotion to God to establish his credibility before detailing his past persecution of believers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Philippians 3:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
- Acts 26:5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
- Acts 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.
- 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 21:20 When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
- 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.”
- Luke 10:39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.
- 2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
- Deuteronomy 33:3 Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words—
- 2 Kings 4:38 When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”