Acts 22:3

Paul began by relating his manner of life before his conversion. He emphasized his orthodox background and education under the most respected Jewish teacher of his day, Gamaliel (cf. Acts 5:34). We have no record of how old Paul was when he came to Jerusalem in his youth. It is possible that he spent his early childhood in Jerusalem. [Note: W. C. van Unnik, Tarsus or Jerusalem: The City of Paul’s Youth, pp. 9, 28.] Others believe he spent this part of his life in Tarsus. [Note: E.g., Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle of Liberty, pp. 25-27.] It is possible that Paul was 13 or 14 years old when he came to Jerusalem. [Note: Robertson, 3:386.] The difference in interpretation springs from two different ways of punctuating this verse. Paul’s point in citing his background was to show his hearers that he was as zealous for his Jewish heritage as any of them (cf. Galatians 1:14).