Acts 22:3
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
Acts 5:34 introduces Gamaliel as a respected teacher, the very one Paul sat at the feet of in Acts 22:3.
In Acts 26:5, Paul details his life as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect, confirming the rigorous training and zeal described here.
In Acts 23:6, Paul declares his Pharisaic identity before the Sanhedrin, echoing the strict upbringing and zealous devotion mentioned here.
In Acts 9:11, Ananias is told to find Saul of Tarsus — confirming Paul's birthplace mentioned in Acts 22:3.
In Acts 9:30, Paul is sent to Tarsus, his hometown — aligning with his claim of being from Tarsus in Acts 22:3.
In Acts 11:25, Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find Saul — reinforcing that Tarsus was Paul's home city as stated in Acts 22:3.
In Acts 21:39, Paul similarly identifies himself as a Jew from Tarsus — showing consistency in his self-presentation.
Acts 26:4 similarly recounts Paul's youth and Jewish upbringing in a different defense speech, reinforcing his credentials.
Acts 8:3 shows the practical outworking of Paul's zeal — his persecution of the church, which he later references in his testimony.
Acts 23:34 records the governor learning Paul is from Cilicia, confirming his background stated in Acts 22:3.
Acts 15:41 shows Paul later strengthening churches in Cilicia, his homeland mentioned in Acts 22:3.
In Acts 6:9, Cilicia is named as a region with its own synagogue — the region of Paul's birthplace Tarsus mentioned in Acts 22:3.
In Romans 10:2, Paul describes his fellow Jews' zeal for God without knowledge—exactly the kind of zeal he himself displayed here.
In Romans 10:3, Paul explains that such zeal sought to establish their own righteousness—a mindset he held before his conversion.
In 2 Corinthians 11:22, Paul similarly claims to be a Hebrew, Israelite, and descendant of Abraham — a parallel declaration of his credentials.
In Galatians 1:14, Paul expands on his surpassing zeal and progress in Judaism, matching the 'zealous for God' claim here.
In Philippians 3:5, Paul lists his pedigree — circumcised, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee — complementing his training under Gamaliel.
In Philippians 3:6, Paul reveals his zeal led to persecuting the church, exposing the dark side of the devotion mentioned here.
In John 16:2, Jesus warns that zeal for God can lead to persecution — Paul's 'zeal for God' here drove his persecution of believers.
Galatians 1:13 details Paul's former life in Judaism and persecution, complementing his upbringing and zeal mentioned here.
In Romans 11:1, Paul also affirms his Jewish heritage, specifying he is from the tribe of Benjamin — adding detail to his identity.
Galatians 1:21 shows Paul ministering in Cilicia, the region of his birth mentioned in Acts 22:3.