Galatians 1:18

_ _ after three years — dating from my conversion, as appears by the contrast to “immediately” (Galatians 1:16). This is the same visit to Jerusalem as in Acts 9:26, and at this visit occurred the vision (Acts 22:17, Acts 22:18). The incident which led to his leaving Damascus (Acts 9:25; 2 Corinthians 11:33) was not the main cause of his going to Jerusalem. So that there is no discrepancy in the statement here that he went “to see Peter”; or rather, as Greek, “to make the acquaintance of”; “to become personally acquainted with.” The two oldest manuscripts read, “Cephas,” the name given Peter elsewhere in the Epistle, the Hebrew name; as Peter is the Greek (John 1:42). Appropriate to the view of him here as the apostle especially of the Hebrews. It is remarkable that Peter himself, in his Epistles, uses the Greek name Peter, perhaps to mark his antagonism to the Judaizers who would cling to the Hebraic form. He was prominent among the apostles, though James, as bishop of Jerusalem, had the chief authority there (Matthew 16:18).

_ _ abode — or “tarried” [Ellicott].

_ _ fifteen days — only fifteen days; contrasting with the long period of three years, during which, previously, he had exercised an independent commission in preaching: a fact proving on the face of it, how little he owed to Peter in regard to his apostolical authority or instruction. The Greek for “to see,” at the same time implies visiting a person important to know, such as Peter was. The plots of the Jews prevented him staying longer (Acts 9:29). Also, the vision directing him to depart to the Gentiles, for that the people of Jerusalem would not receive his testimony (Acts 22:17, Acts 22:18).