Galatians 1:18
What does Galatians 1:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:18 means
Only “after three years” did Paul go to Jerusalem, and then merely “to visit Cephas,” staying fifteen days. The delay and brevity are the point: he did not have time for comprehensive instruction or dependence on Jerusalem leaders. His visit was relational and confirmatory, not formative. Naming Cephas shows respect for the leading apostle while maintaining the argument that his own apostleship and Gospel stand on Christ’s commissioning. The timeline undermines claims that Paul borrowed his message; instead, his early preaching and understanding matured before this short Jerusalem stay.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas, and was there with him fifteen days.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter: and I tarried with him fifteen days.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to make acquaintance with Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days;
Context
Coming after the mention of Arabia and Damascus, this verse adds chronology that cements Paul’s independence. The next verse notes he saw no other apostles except James the Lord’s brother, narrowing further any supposed human source. Paul then swears to the truthfulness of his account (verse 20). The sequence demonstrates contact without dependence—harmony with, but not derivation from, the Jerusalem pillars.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 22:17
And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,
- Acts 9:26
And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
- Acts 9:22
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
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