Paul's Visits to Jerusalem

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 9
There are two passages in the Epistle to the Galatians that claim our attention. Galatians 1:1818Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. (Galatians 1:18): “Then after three years I went’ up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.” Galatians 2:11Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. (Galatians 2:1): “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem, by revelation, with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.”
It will be seen that in both passages the word “after” occurs, but after what is not stated. Doubtless the first is three years after Paul’s conversion; but when Paul was converted no one knows with certainty. The second may be fourteen years after the first visit, or it may be after his conversion. By comparing all the dates it is believed to have been fourteen years after his conversion.
The next visit named in Galatians is evidently the same as in Acts 15. But this is the third visit named in the Acts; and it presents a little difficulty to suppose that Paul named his first and his third visits without noticing his second.
But it must be observed that Paul in Galatians is pressing the fact that he received his gospel direct from God, and not from the other apostles: “I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:1212For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12)). And in his second visit (Acts 11:27-30; 12:2527And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27‑30)
25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. (Acts 12:25)), “elders” only are named. The mission of Barnabas and Paul was to hand in the collection; and we read that “when they had fulfilled their ministry,” they left Jerusalem; so that they could leave immediately. Such a visit as this would not fall within the subject which Paul was enforcing in his Epistle to the Galatians, and would be passed by unnoticed.
But the reader must again be reminded that Paul is insisting in the Galatians that he did not receive his gospel mission from the apostles; so that what the Church did is not before him. And there is really nothing contradictory in the two accounts. Paul doubtless did what any godly man in the same circumstances would have done, namely, he first sought an interview with the apostles and elders before it was brought before the Church generally, and this is really all the words imply: “I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation.” And afterward, without noticing the public meeting of the Church, he names the Apostles Peter, James, and John as giving him the right hand of fellowship (Gal. 2:99And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Galatians 2:9)). All through it is evidently the apostles who were before his mind, and not the Church.
Paul’s fourth visit to Jerusalem is but slightly alluded to in Acts 18:21-2221But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 22And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. (Acts 18:21‑22). He “bade them farewell, saying [I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem; but] I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.” Though the words above in brackets are of doubtful authority, being omitted by several editors, still the words “and gone up and saluted the church,” doubtless refer to Jerusalem.
Paul’s fifth visit is recorded in Acts 21, when he was arrested. (See the Chronological Tables.)