Why did Jesus pick Paul to serve as Apostle to the Gentiles?

The first reason that springs to mind is that Paul (aka Saul of Tarsus) was born to Jewish parents who had Roman citizenship. That meant Paul had freedom to travel throughout the Roman Empire.

The second reason is his education at the feet of Rabbi Gamaliel. Known then as Saul, he became fully acquainted with the Law and Prophets and became a zealous persecutor of Christians.

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul describes himself as a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a descendant of Abraham (2 Corinthians 11:22). In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul says he was a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5).

Given all of the above, who better than a Jewish Pharisee with Roman citizenship to bring the gospel to Jews and Gentiles throughout the Roman Empire?

“Saul’s education, his background as a Pharisee, his Roman citizenship, and his unflagging zeal all contributed to his success as a missionary, once those credentials and traits had been subjugated to the lordship of Christ.”

“He was proud of his Jewish heritage, as he describes in Philippians 3:5: “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee.” So zealous and devout was he that persecuting Christians was the natural way for him to show his devotion. He chose to use his Hebrew name, Saul, until sometime after he began to believe in and preach Christ. After that time, as “the apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), he used his Roman name, Paul. It would make sense for Paul to use his Roman name as he travelled farther and farther into the Gentile world.

Using his Roman name was fitting for the man who proclaimed that he would become “all things to all people,” a Jew to the Jews in order to win the Jews, weak to the weak in order to win the weak, etc., all for the sake of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:19–23). Adopting his Roman name would allow Paul to approach the Gentiles to whom he was sent and speak to them in their own language, becoming as one of them and setting them at ease. It is also possible that Paul gave up the use of his Hebrew name, Saul, with its regal connotation and chose to use his Roman name, Paul, meaning “little” or “small,” because he desired to became smaller in order to present Christ as greater (cf. John 3:30).”

I think it is more that Paul's Jewish brethren told him to peddle that junk to the Gentiles, they didn't want to hear his nonsense.

Answered 20 centuries ago, Romans 11:33-36.

A) Dead guys on a stick don't pick people. and

B) Paul invented his own teachings which often directly contradicted earlier teachings.

Rolls eyes

Never happened. Why did Elmer Fudd try to shoot Bugs Bunny?

Because Peter was sent to the Jews whilst Paul was sent to the Gentiles (Galatians 2: 7 & 8) (1 Timothy 2:7)

Paul, as expert in Jewish Law, was just the person to explain things to the Gentiles. Peter was sent to be the face of the Christ before Nero, and he did that. BTW, what action did the Muslims take in Italy in 834 Anno Domini that tells us their true plans for us even today?

he kept Peter to home. guess he was jealous of Paul.

The apostle Paul had several qualities that would have made him attractive to the Gentiles. He was educated and articulate, he recognized that the Greeks were also educated and had a great culture, and he was a Roman citizen.

Most likely because Paul was a Roman citizen which would allow him greater latitude than it would a Jew such as Peter or another Apostle.