Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Galatians 2:13 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 13. 13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse shows Cephas's withdrawal spreading through other Jewish believers and even carrying Barnabas into hypocrisy.
Read It With
- Galatians 2:11–14
Read Galatians 2:13 with 2:11–14. This verse shows Cephas's withdrawal spreading through other Jewish believers and even carrying Barnabas into hypocrisy. The complete unit establishes this movement: Paul opposes Cephas because fear-driven withdrawal from eating with Gentiles draws other Jewish believers and Barnabas into hypocrisy and effectively pressures Gentiles to adopt Jewish practice for equal table fellowship.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The episode demonstrates that formally correct agreements can be contradicted by ordinary communal practice: who shares a table reveals whether Gentiles truly belong without identity conversion. Within that movement, this verse shows Cephas's withdrawal spreading through other Jewish believers and even carrying Barnabas into hypocrisy.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“even Barnabas”
In plain language: The spread reaches Paul's close partner, emphasizing the social force of the withdrawal.
shows Cephas's withdrawal spreading through other Jewish believers and even carrying Barnabas into hypocrisy. High-status inconsistency can cascade through trusted relationships.
Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.
How certain? strongWhat Remains True
High-status inconsistency can cascade through trusted relationships.
How It Can Shape Life
- Build safeguards that let respected peers resist a leader's fear-driven shift.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Galatians 2:11–14 — Cephas's Withdrawal Makes Gentile Belonging UnequalSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: Galatians 2:11–14, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file Gal.txt, 2:11–14
Open the Galatians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - Galatians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible Galatians chapter print views, 2:11–14, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET Galatians 2 notes