Galatians 1:17
What does Galatians 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:17 means
To reinforce his independence from Jerusalem’s apostles, Paul says he did not go up to them. Instead, he went into Arabia and returned to Damascus. He offers no details, but the point is clear: his early ministry and formation occurred away from the original apostolic center. This undercuts the accusation that he merely echoed others’ teaching. Time in Arabia and Damascus suggests a period of reflection, proclamation, and growth under Christ’s guidance. By showing physical and relational distance from Jerusalem, Paul strengthens his case that both his message and mission derived from direct revelation rather than from human instruction or approval.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I went not up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and again I came back to Damascus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862nor did I go up to Jerusalem unto those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Neither went I to Jerusalem, to the apostles who were before me: but I went into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890nor went I up to Jerusalem to those [who were] apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.
Context
This verse follows Paul’s statement that he did not consult with people after his call. It supplies the geographic evidence of that independence. The flow then advances to a limited, delayed visit to Jerusalem after three years (verse 18), which further supports the claim that his Gospel did not originate from extended tutelage under the senior apostles. Seeing this sequence helps the reader grasp that Paul’s defense is historical as well as theological.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 1:18
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
- 2 Corinthians 11:32
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me:
- Acts 9:20
And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.
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