Where was Tarsus located relative to Antioch?
Tarsus lay just around the corner of the Mediterranean from Antioch, in a river valley within Cilicia. Antioch was a few miles inland at the curve of the Mediterranean in Syria. Barnabas traveled from Antioch up into the river valley where Tarsus was located; the distance was not far.
Les explains that Antioch was located at the curve of the Mediterranean Sea, a few miles inland, up in Syria. Tarsus, by contrast, was just around the corner of the Mediterranean, in the river valley of Cilicia. He notes it was 'not that far.' Barnabas, who had come from Jerusalem to Antioch, went up into that river valley to seek Saul, and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. The context emphasizes the purpose: Saul had three years of revelations and the message for Gentiles.