When did Paul go up to Jerusalem to see Peter?
Paul went up to Jerusalem to see Peter after three years, as referenced in verse 18. This followed his time alone at Mount Sinai, where he received revelations. He did not go immediately but waited until the three years were completed.
Les explains that Paul did not go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion. He first spent three years alone at Mount Sinai, where the Lord Himself revealed the doctrines of grace to him. Only after those three years did he go up to Jerusalem to see Peter. Les notes that the Corinthians criticized Paul for lacking the three years with Jesus that Peter had, but Paul actually had three years of direct revelation from the Lord, which evened things up.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
More Questions
Where did Paul spend the three years before going up to Jerusalem in Galatians 1?
Les feels Paul spent the three years between Damascus and his visit to Jerusalem in Arabia, probably in the Mount Sinai area.