What is Cilicia in the Bible?
Home province of the apostle Paul, whose birthplace Tarsus was a city in Cilicia.
Cilicia is a region and Roman province in the New Testament, best known as the home province of the apostle Paul. It lay in southeastern Asia Minor, in what is now southern Turkey, along the Mediterranean coast.
Cilicia in the Bible
Paul twice calls himself a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and says he was born there (Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3). When Paul is sent to the governor Felix, the governor asks what province he is from and learns that he is of Cilicia (Acts 23:34). Jews from Cilicia are among those of the synagogue of the Libertines who dispute with Stephen in Jerusalem (Acts 6:9).
After his conversion Paul goes into the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21). The apostles and elders in Jerusalem address their letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:23), and Paul later travels through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (Acts 15:41). On the voyage to Rome, Paul's ship sails over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia before reaching Myra in Lycia (Acts 27:5).
- Role
- Roman province
- First mention
- The Acts of the Apostles 6:9
- Appearances in the Bible
- 8 mentions
Cilicia in the Bible
Chapters that mention Cilicia
Coloring pages with Cilicia
Questions about Cilicia
What is Cilicia in the Bible?
Cilicia is a region and Roman province in the New Testament, best known as the home province of the apostle Paul. It lay in southeastern Asia Minor, in what is now southern Turkey, along the Mediterranean coast. Paul twice calls himself a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and says he was born there (Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3). When Paul is sent to the governor Felix, the governor asks what province he is from and learns that he is of Cilicia (Acts 23:34). Jews from Cilicia are among those of the synagogue of the Libertines who dispute with Stephen in Jerusalem (Acts 6:9). After his conversion Paul goes into the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21). The apostles and elders in Jerusalem address their letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:23), and Paul later travels through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (Acts 15:41). On the voyage to Rome, Paul's ship sails over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia before reaching Myra in Lycia (Acts 27:5).
Where is Cilicia first mentioned in the Bible?
Cilicia is first mentioned in The Acts of the Apostles 6:9.
How many times is Cilicia mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 8.