Back to Galatians 1

Galatians 1:21-24

Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” So they glorified God in me.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Galatians 1:21-24 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. But of the other apostles I saw no one except James, the Lord’s brother. Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” So they glorified God in me.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

    I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

    but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”

    So they glorified God in me.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    After that I went into the costes of Siria and Cilicia:

    and was vnknowen as touchinge my person vnto the congregacions of Iewrye which were in Christ.

    But they hearde only that he which persecuted vs in tyme past now preacheth the fayth which before he destroyed.

    And they glorified God on my behalffe.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    After that, I went into the coastes of Syria and Cilicia: for I was vnknowen by face vnto the Churches of Iudea, which were in Christ.

    But they had heard onely some say, Hee which persecuted vs in time past, nowe preacheth the faith which before he destroyed.

    And they glorified God for me.

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Cross-references (36)

  • 1 Corinthians 15:8-10 (v23) and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to…
  • 1 Timothy 1:13-16 (v23) although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. The…
  • Acts 9:13 (v23) But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
  • Acts 15:41 (v21) He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:14 (v22) For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from…
Show all 36 cross-references
  • Luke 15:10 (v24) Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
  • Acts 6:9 (v21) But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and…
  • Acts 9:20 (v23) Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
  • Acts 9:30 (v21) When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
  • Acts 11:18 (v24) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to…
  • Matthew 9:8 (v24) But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
  • Luke 2:14 (v24) “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
  • Luke 15:32 (v24) But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
  • Acts 9:26 (v23) When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a…
  • Acts 11:25-26 (v21) Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered…
  • Acts 13:1 (v21) Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,…
  • Acts 15:23 (v21) They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch,…
  • Acts 6:7 (v23) The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to…
  • Acts 18:18 (v21) Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and…
  • Acts 21:3 (v21) When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for the ship was there to unload…
  • Acts 21:39 (v21) But Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”
  • Acts 22:3 (v21) “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict…
  • Acts 23:34 (v21) When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
  • Romans 16:7 (v22) Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who were also in Christ before me.
  • Colossians 1:3-4 (v24) We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the…
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10 (v24) when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you…
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:12 (v24) that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Numbers 23:23 (v24) Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘What…
  • Luke 7:16 (v24) Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!”
  • Acts 9:31 (v22) So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the…
  • Acts 21:19-20 (v24) When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry. They, when they…
  • 1 Corinthians 1:30 (v22) Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:13 (v24) seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and…
  • Philippians 1:1 (v22) Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (v22) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from…
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1 (v22) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Martin Luther 1535 · Public Domain On vv21–24 VERSE 21. Afterwards I came into the regions of…

VERSE 21. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Syria and Cilicia are adjacent countries. Paul traces his movements carefully in order to convince the Galatians that he had never been the disciple of any apostle.

Martin Luther — Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (1535), English translation by Theodore Graebner (Zondervan, 1939) — public domain (U.S. copyright not renewed). Text from a community e-Sword module.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv22–24 22. And was unknown by face. This appears to…
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v22 The doctrine of faith.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv21–24 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv21–24 After that I came from Jerusalem, I came into…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v21 The fourth evidence is here produced by St. Paul,…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv21–24 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v24 In me - That is, on my account.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv21–24 Verse 21. Afterwards I came into the regions of…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv21–24 Afterward I came ... - In this account be…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv21–24 I came into . . . Syria and Cilicia--"preaching…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21–24 21. Syria and Cilicia—He was driven from Jerusalem by…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–24 21. In the Acts we are told that when…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–24 (21) Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21–24 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv21–24 I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv21–24 21. Afterwards I came into … Syria and Cilicia.…
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv21–24 Then I came into the regions of Syria and…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v21 regions of
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv21, 23 1:21-22 Paul was not working under the supervision of…
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