Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Went I up. So 'Aleph (') A. But B Delta G х apelthon (G565) for anelthon], 'went away'-namely, from Damascus.
To Jerusalem - the seat of the apostles.
Into Arabia. This journey (not recorded in Acts) was during his stay at Damascus, called by Luke facts Luke 9:23), "many х hikanai (G2425) heemerai (G2250), a considerable number of] days." It curiously confirms the taking "many days" to stand for "three years," that the phrase occurs in the same sense (1 Kings 2:38-39). This was a country of the Gentiles; here doubtless he preached, as before and after (Acts 9:20; Acts 9:22), at Damascus: thus he shows the independence of his apostolic commission. He also here had that comparative retirement needed, after the first fervour of his conversion, to prepare him for the great work before him. Compare Moses (Acts 7:29-30). His familiarity with the scene of the giving of the law, and the meditations and revelations which he had there, appear in Galatians 4:24-25; Hebrews 12:18: see note, 2 Corinthians 1:12. The Lord from heaven communed with him, as He on earth in the days of His flesh communed with the other apostles.
Returned (back) again, х palin (G3825) hupestrepsa (G5290)]. Returned (back) again, х palin (G3825) hupestrepsa (G5290)].