Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
After three years - from my conversion; as appears by the contrast to "immediately" (Galatians 1:16). These three years of Paul's direction by God alone answer to the three years (about) of the contact of the twelve with Jesus. This is the visit to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26) at which occurred the vision, Acts 22:17-18. 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;" Greek, 'to become personally acquainted with Peter' х historeesai (G2477)]; to visit one important to know. 'Aleph (') A B read 'Cephas,' the name given Peter elsewhere in the letter, 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. C Delta G f g, Vulgate, read "Peter." Peter himself, in his letters, uses the Greek, "Peter," perhaps to mark his antagonism to the Judaizers who would cling to the Hebra ic form. He was prominent among the apostles, though James, as Bishop of Jerusalem, had the chief authority there (Matthew 16:18).
Abode, х epemeina (G1961)] - 'tarried.'
Fifteen days - only fifteen days; contrasting with the long period of three years, during which, previously, he had exercised an independent commission-a fact proving how little he owed to Peter in regard to apostolical authority or instruction. The plots of Hellenistic 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 22:17-18).