School of Tyrannus

Ephesus - School of Tyrannus

Ephesus is a city on the west coast of present day Turkey. Although no more than abandoned ruins today, during the Roman era, Ephesus was one of the principal cities in the empire.

Ephesus features prominently in early Christianity, as Paul preached in Ephesus for at least two years: "And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus... And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:1, 8-10)

School of Tyrannus most likely held classes in the mornings when sunlight without the heat facilitated human activity, including study. Toward the end of his ministry, Paul told the elders of Ephesus, "You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me." (Acts 20:34) So Paul most likely worked his trade as a tentmaker in the mornings to provide for not only himself but also "those who were with" him (pastors, take notice) in Ephesus, and then taught at Tyrannus' school in the afternoons when it was empty as most of Ephesus slumbered in siesta.

Why did Paul choose Ephesus as the base for evangelizing "Asia [Minor]"?