Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Galatians 1:17

"neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus." — Galatians 1:17 (ASV)

Finally, Paul did not receive his message from any person after his conversion. He insists that he did not consult anyone, particularly the Jerusalem apostles, but went instead into Arabia (probably occurring between Ac 9:22 and 23). Most likely that time was spent in thinking and studying. Not until three years later (v.18) did he go up to Jerusalem and meet Peter.