Tarsus, in Cilicia, was Saul's native city, and he must have been dwelling there during the period of our Lord's public ministry, for no record exists of his having witnessed any of the wondrous scenes connected with the life and death of Christ; and it is supposed that, after completing his studies at Jerusalem, he returned to his home, remaining there until the year 35, when his career of persecuting cruelty began by the martyrdom of St. Stephen, about the time of the Feast of Pentecost. The Scripture narrative does not mention Saul's name as one of those who took Stephen captive, but probably he was among the number who listened to that speech before the council, when we are told that the martyr's face was "as the face of an angel."
It is at the scene of the stoning that we hear of Saul—the young man at whose feet the witnesses laid down their garments, thus choosing him for their commander and chief; and when the dying Saint cried, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," and, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," Saul was there, consenting to his death.
Little did the fierce and angry multitude think of the marvels which St. Stephen's dying prayer would work, pleading effectually with God, and securing the conversion of the young man Saul, who was then one of the most bitter enemies of the Christian Church. Perhaps, in those last moments, it was permitted the martyred Saint to understand in some measure some of the purposes of the Almighty in his sufferings and death—to know, maybe, that very near him, in the ranks of the cruel and persecuting throng, stood the man who had been chosen as the agent to carry out the gracious designs of Providence towards the Gentile world.
However, the stoning of the Proto-martyr was followed for some considerable time by a course of merciless severity. Saul scourged, imprisoned, and put to death, men and women to whom the name of Christ was dearer than aught else, even than life; driving them by thousands from Jerusalem, and even pursuing them into their hiding-places, that he might force them back to die.
Thus it came about that Saul was journeying to Damascus.
It was well known that many of the persecuted Christians had sought refuge in that city, and Saul, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," went to the high priest to obtain from him authority to seize all who were known to be believers in the new faith, and to bring them back to Jerusalem.