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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/1-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/48_Gal_01_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 1:17 - Paul Preaches the Gospel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/1-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/1-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/1-16.htm" title="Galatians 1:16">◄</a> Galatians 1:17 <a href="/galatians/1-18.htm" title="Galatians 1:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/1.htm">New International Version</a> I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. <a href="/nlt/galatians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. <a href="/esv/galatians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. <a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/kjv/galatians/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/1.htm">New King James Version</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. <a href="/nasb/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. <a href="/lsb/galatians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. <a href="/amp/galatians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia and stayed awhile, and afterward returned once more to Damascus. <a href="/csb/galatians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. <a href="/asv/galatians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus. <a href="/cev/galatians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I didn't say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. <a href="/erv/galatians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus. <a href="/gwt/galatians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I didn't even go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went to Arabia and then came back to Damascus. <a href="/gnt/galatians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> nor did I go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and then I returned to Damascus. <a href="/isv/galatians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus. <a href="/msb/galatians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. <a href="/net/galatians/1.htm">NET Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus. <a href="/nheb/galatians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. <a href="/wbt/galatians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Neither did I go to Jerusalem to them who were apostles before me: but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were my seniors in the Apostleship, but I went away into Arabia, and afterwards came back to Damascus. <a href="/web/galatians/1.htm">World English Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus; <a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/ylt/galatians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem unto those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus, <a href="/slt/galatians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them sent before me; but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Neither went I to Jerusalem, to the apostles who were before me: but I went into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Neither did I go to Jerusalem, to those who were Apostles before me. Instead, I went into Arabia, and next I returned to Damascus. <a href="/nabre/galatians/1.htm">New American Bible</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to them who had been apostles before me; but instead I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Neither did I go to Jerusalem to the Apostles who were before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to Dramsuq.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.<CM> <a href="/godbey/galatians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/haweis/galatians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. <a href="/mace/galatians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. <a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were my seniors in the Apostleship, but I went away into Arabia, and afterwards came back to Damascus. <a href="/worrell/galatians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> neither went I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. <a href="/worsley/galatians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> nor went I up to Jerusalem to those that were apostles before me, but I departed into Arabia, and afterwards returned again to Damascus. <a href="/parallel/galatians/1-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=140" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Paul Preaches the Gospel</a> …16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17<a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: oude (Conj) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">nor</a> <a href="/greek/424.htm" title="424: anēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- To come up, go up, ascend. From ana and erchomai; to ascend.">did I go up</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2414.htm" title="2414: Hierosolyma (N-ANP) -- The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/652.htm" title="652: apostolous (N-AMP) -- From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.">apostles</a> <a href="/greek/4253.htm" title="4253: pro (Prep) -- A primary preposition; fore, i.e. In front of, prior to.">who came before</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/565.htm" title="565: apēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.">I went</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/688.htm" title="688: Arabian (N-AFS) -- Arabia, the district south of Palestine. Of Hebrew origin; Arabia, a region of Asia.">Arabia</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3825.htm" title="3825: palin (Adv) -- Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.">later</a> <a href="/greek/5290.htm" title="5290: hypestrepsa (V-AIA-1S) -- To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return.">returned</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1154.htm" title="1154: Damaskon (N-AFS) -- Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.">Damascus.</a> 18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/9-19.htm">Acts 9:19-22</a> and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. / Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” / All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ... <a href="/acts/22-17.htm">Acts 22:17-21</a> Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance / and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’ / ‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. ... <a href="/acts/26-16.htm">Acts 26:16-18</a> ‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. / I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ <a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">2 Corinthians 11:32-33</a> In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-1.htm">2 Corinthians 12:1-4</a> I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. / I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. / And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— ... <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">1 Corinthians 15:8-10</a> And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. / For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. / But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Philippians 3:4-7</a> though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. ... <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1-5</a> Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— / the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, / regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, ... <a href="/1_timothy/1-12.htm">1 Timothy 1:12-16</a> I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. / I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ... <a href="/acts/13-1.htm">Acts 13:1-3</a> Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1-2</a> Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Acts 18:9-10</a> One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” <a href="/acts/23-11.htm">Acts 23:11</a> The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Isaiah 49:1-6</a> Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me. / He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver. / He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.” ... <a href="/jeremiah/1-4.htm">Jeremiah 1:4-10</a> The word of the LORD came to me, saying: / “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” / “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.went.<a href="/galatians/1-18.htm">Galatians 1:18</a> Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.<a href="/acts/9-20.htm">Acts 9:20-25</a> And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God… returned.<a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">2 Corinthians 11:32,33</a> In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-46.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-2.htm">Apostleship</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-5.htm">Arabia</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-3.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-24.htm">Later</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Once</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/1-21.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/galatians/1-19.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/galatians/2-8.htm">Apostleship</a> <a href="/galatians/4-25.htm">Arabia</a> <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/philippians/2-23.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/galatians/1-18.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/galatians/1-18.htm">Later</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Once</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 1</div>1. <a href="/galatians/1-1.htm">Paul's greeting to the Galatians;</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">He wonders why they have so soon left him and the gospel;</a> 8. <a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">and accurses those who preach any other gospel than he did.</a> 11. <a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">He learned the gospel not from men, but from God;</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">and shows what he was before his calling;</a> 17. <a href="/galatians/1-17.htm">and what he did immediately after it.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/galatians/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>nor did I go up to Jerusalem The phrase highlights Paul's intentional decision to not seek immediate validation or instruction from the established apostles in Jerusalem. In the Greek, "ἀνῆλθον" (anēlthon) implies a deliberate action of not ascending or going up, which is significant given Jerusalem's status as the spiritual and geographical center of early Christianity. This decision underscores Paul's independence and the divine origin of his apostolic calling, emphasizing that his gospel message was not derived from human sources but through revelation from Jesus Christ.to the apostles who were before me This phrase acknowledges the existence and authority of the apostles who were already established before Paul's conversion. The Greek word "ἀπόστολοι" (apostoloi) refers to those who were sent out, specifically the original disciples of Jesus who were commissioned to spread the gospel. By stating "before me," Paul recognizes their precedence in the faith, yet he asserts his equal standing as an apostle called directly by Christ. This highlights the unity and diversity within the early church, where different leaders had distinct roles but shared the same mission.but I went into Arabia The mention of Arabia is intriguing and somewhat mysterious, as the exact location and purpose of Paul's journey are not detailed in the text. The Greek "Ἀραβία" (Arabia) could refer to the Nabatean Kingdom, which was a region southeast of Judea. This journey signifies a period of reflection, preparation, and possibly direct revelation from God, away from the immediate influence of the early Christian community. It suggests a time of solitude and spiritual formation, where Paul could deepen his understanding of the gospel and his mission.and later returned to Damascus Returning to Damascus, where Paul initially encountered Christ, signifies a full circle in his early Christian journey. The Greek "Δαμασκός" (Damaskos) was a significant city in the Roman province of Syria, known for its diverse population and strategic location. This return indicates Paul's readiness to begin his ministry, equipped with the revelations and insights gained during his time in Arabia. It also reflects the continuity of his mission, as he re-engages with the community where his transformation began, ready to preach the gospel with newfound conviction and authority.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Went I up.--The usual phrase is to go up to "Jerusalem," from the fact that Jerusalem stood upon high ground, and was approached from all sides by an ascent. Here, however, the reading is doubtful between "went up" and "went away," each of which is supported by nearly equally good authority. In so close a balance of the authorities the less common phrase is, perhaps, more likely to have been the original reading, though there is an almost equal probability that it may have slipped in from the second "went" (really the same word, "went away"), a little further on in the verse.Unto Arabia.--The question, what part of Arabia St. Paul retired into can only be one of speculation. There is nothing in the context to show at all decisively. The boundary of Arabia at this period was not exactly defined. By some writers it was made to include Damascus itself. It is therefore possible that by "Arabia" may have been meant the desert in the neighbourhood of the city. This would be the most obvious supposition. But, on the other hand, there would be a certain appropriateness if we could imagine, as we are certainly permitted to do, that the scene of his sojourn may have been the region of Mount Sinai itself. The place where the Law was first given may have seen its renewal in his mind--not destroyed, but fulfilled in the new law of love. Like Moses, and like Elijah, the great minister of the new dispensation may have here received strength for his work. And if this was the case, we can the more readily understand the typical allusion to Mount Sinai later in the Epistle. Such arguments may have some slight weight, but the real locality must remain uncertain.As to the time of the Apostle's withdrawal, and its duration, little can be said beyond the fact that it must have come within the three years that intervened between his conversion and the first visit to Jerusalem. When we compare this account with the narrative of the Acts, it is not clear how they are to be reconciled. St. Paul says, that after his conversion, "immediately (euthe?s) he conferred not with flesh and blood . . . but went unto Arabia." St. Luke says, after recording the same event, "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway (eutheos) he preached Christ (or, according to a more correct reading, Jesus) in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" (<a href="/context/acts/9-19.htm" title="And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.">Acts 9:19-20</a>). There does not seem room here to insert the retreat into Arabia. It would indeed come in more naturally among the "many days," mentioned in a later verse, which were terminated by the plot of the Jews against the life of the Apostle and his final escape from Damascus. There would still, however, be some apparent collision between "conferring not with flesh and blood" and "spending certain days with the disciples" at Damascus. The discrepancy is only such as we might expect to find between two perfectly independent narratives, one of which was compiled from secondary sources, and is, besides, very brief and summary in its form. We are obliged, by the Apostle's own words, to believe that his withdrawal into Arabia took place "immediately" after his conversion; and as it would not take a very long time to attract the attention or excite the animosity of the Jews at Damascus, it seems natural to suppose that this period of silent seclusion occupied the larger half of the whole period of three years.The patristic commentators seem to have held, for the most part, to the belief that the object of his visit to Arabia was to preach to the heathen there; but the whole context of the Epistle shows that it was rather for solitary meditation and communion with God.Damascus.--We gather from <a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm" title="In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:">2Corinthians 11:32</a> that Damascus was at this time in the possession, or in some manner, at least, under the rule, of Aretas, the Arabian king. How this can have been is an obscure and difficult question. (See Note on that passage.) It may have been seized by him, and held for a time, during his war with Herod Antipas and the Romans at the end of the reign of Tiberius, in A.D. 36-37; or it may possibly have been placed in his hands by Caligula on the disgrace of his rival, Antipas; or "the ethnarch under Aretas the king" may have been an officer subordinate to the Romans, and charged with a sort of consulship over the Arabians in Damascus. The first theory does not seem quite probable in the face of a power so strong as that of Rome; the second is a pure hypothesis, with no support from any contemporary writer; and the third hardly seems to satisfy the conditions of the problem. In any case, the most probable date of these events would be soon after the death of Tiberius in A.D. 37.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Neither went I up to Jerusalem (οὐδὲ ἀνῆκλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα) neither went I up (or, away). This "neither" negatives one particular instance of the general notion of "consulting flesh and blood," in reference to which an exception might else have not unnaturally been supposed likely. It forms a sort of climax to the negative. So <a href="/romans/9-16.htm">Romans 9:16</a>, "Not of him that willeth, neither of him that ranneth." It is uncertain whether "went up" or "went away" is the true reading of the Greek text. If the latter, the verb is repeated after the following "but" (ἀλλὰ), as <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a>, "Ye have received;" <a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18, 22</a>, "Ye are come." To them which were apostles before me (πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀποστόλους). For this "before me," comp. <a href="/romans/16-7.htm">Romans 16:7</a>. Every reader must feel the consciousness of official parity with the twelve which transpires in this expression of St. Paul's. The like consciousness is apparent in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-5.htm">1 Corinthians 15:5-11</a>, strongly as the writer there expresses his sense of comparative personal unworthiness. Why, it may be asked, does the apostle thus particularly refer to the "apostles before him"? The probable answer seems to be, for the purpose of more forcibly illustrating the assured conviction, which from the very first he entertained, of the sufficiency and Divine authority of the gospel which he had already received. But I went into Arabia (ἀλλ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν); but I went away into Arabia. It is impossible to determine what was the precise locality to which St. Paul then went. "Arabia" was in those days a geographical term of very wide significance. Damascus itself appertained to Arabia; so Justin Martyr writes ('Dial. c. Tryph.,' 305, A) "that Damascus was of the Arabian country (τῆς-Ἀραβικῆς γῆς), and is, even though now [probably, Bishop Lightfoot suggests, by Hadrian's arrangement of those provinces] it has been assigned to what is called the Syrophoenician country, none even of you are able to deny." So Tertullian, 'Adv. Mare,' 3:13; 'Adv. Judaeos,' 9. At the time of St. Paul's abode at Damascus the city was subject to an "ethnarch of Aretas" (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">2 Corinthians 11:32</a>); and "Aretas," the King of Petra, is in the case of several successive princes, styled "the King of the Arabians" (2 Macc. 5:8; Josephus, 'Ant.,' 14:01, 4; 'Bell. Jud.,' 1:06, 2; 'Ant.,' 16:10, 8, 9). The apostle's words may, therefore, describe a withdrawal into some district, whether inhabited or uninhabited, not far distant from Damascus. On the other hand, in <a href="/galatians/4-25.htm">Galatians 4:25</a>, the apostle refers to "Arabia" in connection with Mount Sinai; so that Arabia Petraea may possibly have been the country visited. And here the imagination is tempted by recollections of Moses and the giving of the Law, and of Elijah, to indulge in speculations with reference to the especial appropriateness of that vicinity for being Saul's place of sojourn at this crisis of spiritual illumination and call to apostleship. But all this is conjectural: there is no solid ground whatever for our believing that it was thither flint his steps were at this season directed, And we cannot but recollect, with reference to the Lord Jesus, that when, after his baptism, "the Spirit drove him forth into the wilderness," with a view, as we may in all reverence believe, to his preparing himself for his high ministry as the Christ, no one imagines that it was into the wilderness of Sinai that he was led. And this suggests the remark that, at this particular juncture in especial, Saul's movements were directed by heavenly guidance. This we seem warranted to infer from our Lord's words to him, "Rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (<a href="/acts/9-6.htm">Acts 9:6</a>). At such a season, indeed, the unceasing cry of his whole soul - a cry at, rely not unresponded to - must have been, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" For further description of the geographical question,see Conybeare and Howson, ch. 3; 'Dictionary of the Bible' articles "Arabia" and "Aretus;" Lightfoot's 'Galatians: Excursus,' pp. 87-92, 6th edit. And returned again unto Damascus (καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς Δαμασκόν). That is, "without going elsewhere or to any place where I could meet with men who could be my instructors in the gospel." This must be supposed to be implied; otherwise the narrative would be illusive. As above stated, the "immediately" appears intended to qualify this clause as well as the preceding. The evidential value of this reference to Damascus, by implication indicated as the scene of his previously mentioned conversion, is strikingly illustrated by Paley in his 'Heros Paulinae (Galatians), cited by Dean Howson, in loc. "A casual expression at the end, and an expression brought in for a different purpose, alone fixes it to have been at Damascus. Nothing can be more like simplicity and undesignedness than this." At the risk of repeating some remarks already made, I venture to propose the following as a just paraphase of the whole passage, beginning with ver. 12. "My gospel which ye are swerving from I did not in any degree receive from men, but solely through the revelation of Jesus Christ which God himself made to me. It is evident that before I knew Christ, during the time that I was persecuting God's own Church with fanatical fury, my whole heart and soul devoted to the strictest Judaism of the Pharisees, I was removed poles asunder from all possible sympathetic contact with this doctrine. That God's love was ready to embrace every believer in Christ, whether obeying Moses' Law or not obeying it, - this was a truth that in those days could not possibly have gained access to my mind. And after this, when God graciously illuminated my soul with the sight of his Son, in order that I might become the joyful herald of his grace to the Gentiles, to no mortal man, whether at Damascus or elsewhere, did I apply for further light; neither did I even repair to Jerusalem to seek instruction from Christ's own former apostles: I at once departed in a direction which took me where I was still far away [or, perhaps, "which took me farther and farther away"] from Jerusalem, into Arabia: and who should teach me this doctrine in Arabia? And then, forthwith, I came hack straight to Damascus, Damascus being my first appointed sphere of labour." <a href="/commentaries/galatians/1-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>nor οὐδὲ (oude) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even. did I go up ἀνῆλθον (anēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_424.htm">Strong's 424: </a> To come up, go up, ascend. From ana and erchomai; to ascend. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Jerusalem Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2414.htm">Strong's 2414: </a> The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. apostles ἀποστόλους (apostolous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_652.htm">Strong's 652: </a> From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. [who came] before πρὸ (pro) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4253.htm">Strong's 4253: </a> A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to. me, ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. I went ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_565.htm">Strong's 565: </a> From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Arabia Ἀραβίαν (Arabian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_688.htm">Strong's 688: </a> Arabia, the district south of Palestine. Of Hebrew origin; Arabia, a region of Asia. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [later] πάλιν (palin) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3825.htm">Strong's 3825: </a> Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand. returned ὑπέστρεψα (hypestrepsa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5290.htm">Strong's 5290: </a> To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Damascus. Δαμασκόν (Damaskon) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1154.htm">Strong's 1154: </a> Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/1-17.htm">Galatians 1:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/1-17.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 1:17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem (Gal. 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