Galatians 2:13

KJV

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the other {G3062} Jews {G2453} dissembled {G4942} likewise {G2532} with him {G846}; insomuch {G5620} that Barnabas {G921} also {G2532} was carried away {G4879} with their {G846} dissimulation {G5272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And the other Jewish believers became hypocrites along with him, so that even Bar-Nabba was led astray by their hypocrisy.

Berean Standard Bible

The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

American Standard Version

And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 2:13 captures a critical moment in the early church where the influential apostle Peter's fear-driven withdrawal from table fellowship with Gentile believers led to widespread hypocrisy among other Jewish Christians, including Barnabas, thereby threatening the gospel's core truth of justification by faith alone and the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Paul's direct and public confrontation with Peter (Cephas) in Antioch, as recounted in [Galatians 2:11-12](/galatians/2-11-12 "Paul Confronts Peter in Antioch"). Peter, who had previously enjoyed table fellowship with Gentile Christians, abruptly withdrew and separated himself when certain Jewish believers, described as "from James," arrived from Jerusalem. This action was not a matter of personal preference but a theological statement implying that Gentiles were somehow unclean or less acceptable without adherence to Jewish customs, specifically dietary laws. Verse 13 then details the devastating ripple effect of Peter's compromise, showing how his influential example quickly corrupted the behavior of other Jewish Christians in the community, escalating the crisis from an individual lapse to a widespread dissimulation that endangered the very fabric of the gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church grappled intensely with the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers, particularly concerning the continued relevance of the Mosaic Law. Jewish Christians, especially those from Jerusalem, often felt pressure to maintain traditional Jewish practices, including dietary laws and circumcision, viewing them as essential for true righteousness or full inclusion in God's people. This tension is evident throughout Acts and Paul's epistles. Antioch, a vibrant and diverse city, was a significant center for Gentile Christianity and a crucial hub for missionary activity, making it a melting pot where these cultural and theological differences frequently came to a head. The arrival of "certain men from James" (likely traditionalist Jewish Christians from Jerusalem) exerted immense social and religious pressure on Peter and other Jewish believers, leading them to compromise their convictions out of fear of condemnation from this more conservative faction.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 2:13 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to Paul's letter. Firstly, it underscores the **pervasiveness of hypocrisy** (Greek: *hypókrisis*), revealing how easily fear of man can lead even prominent leaders like Peter and Barnabas to act contrary to their true convictions and the truth of the gospel. This compromise threatened the **unity of the body of Christ**, creating a de facto segregation between Jewish and Gentile believers despite their shared faith in Jesus, challenging the very notion that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Gentile" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). Most critically, this dissimulation directly undermined the foundational doctrine of **justification by faith alone**, implying that Gentile believers needed to adopt Jewish customs to be truly righteous or fully accepted, thereby adding works to grace and distorting the freedom found in Christ ([Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")). Paul's subsequent public rebuke in [Galatians 2:14](/galatians/2-14 "Paul Rebukes Peter") highlights his unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the gospel message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jews (Greek, _Ioudaîos'_):** This term, derived from "Judah," refers to those belonging to the Jewish people or from Judea. In this context, it specifically denotes Jewish Christians who, influenced by Peter's actions, adopted a hypocritical stance, separating themselves from Gentile believers in table fellowship. Their identity as "Jews" here is significant because it highlights the ethnic and cultural dimension of the conflict, which Paul argues is superseded by the new identity in Christ.
* **dissembled (Greek, _synypokrínomai'_):** This compound verb, formed from *syn* (with) and *hypokrínomai* (to act a part, pretend), literally means "to act hypocritically in concert with" or "to dissemble together." It describes a deliberate pretense, where one's outward actions do not align with their inward convictions or previous behavior. In this case, the Jewish believers were feigning a stricter adherence to Jewish customs (likely dietary laws) than they genuinely believed was necessary for Christian fellowship, doing so to appease the "men from James" and following Peter's lead.
* **carried away (Greek, _synapágō'_):** This verb means "to take off together," "to transport with," or passively, "to be led astray" or "to yield." The passive voice here emphasizes that Barnabas was not actively choosing to dissemble but was swept along by the collective influence and pressure of Peter and the other Jewish Christians. It conveys a sense of being involuntarily drawn into a course of action, highlighting the powerful, almost infectious, nature of Peter's compromise and the difficulty even strong leaders face in resisting group dynamics when truth is compromised.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him;":** This clause reveals the immediate and widespread impact of Peter's actions. "The other Jews" refers to Jewish Christians in Antioch who, observing Peter's withdrawal from table fellowship with Gentiles, followed his example. The phrase "dissembled likewise with him" indicates that they adopted the same hypocritical behavior, pretending to adhere to stricter Jewish customs than they had previously, solely because Peter, a respected apostle, had done so. This highlights the dangerous power of influence and the ease with which compromise can spread within a community.
* **"insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.":** This second clause emphasizes the severity of the situation by naming Barnabas, a highly respected leader, Paul's missionary companion, and "son of encouragement" ([Acts 4:36](/acts/4-36 "Acts 4:36 - Barnabas, Son of Encouragement")), as a victim of this widespread hypocrisy. The phrase "carried away" (Greek *synapágō*) suggests he was swept along, perhaps against his better judgment, by the current of dissimulation. His fall underscores that even mature believers are susceptible to peer pressure and the fear of man, especially when prominent figures set a compromising example. This demonstrates the profound threat this dissimulation posed to the integrity of the gospel and the unity of the church.

#### Literary Devices
Galatians 2:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its critical message. The most prominent is **Exemplification**, as the verse uses Barnabas's regrettable actions to powerfully illustrate the pervasive and corrupting influence of Peter's hypocrisy. Barnabas, known for his steadfastness and spiritual maturity, succumbing to the dissimulation underscores the gravity of the situation and the immense pressure exerted by the "men from James." This serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that no one, regardless of their spiritual standing, is immune to compromise when the fear of man outweighs the fear of God. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Pathos** by evoking a sense of disappointment and alarm; the reader is meant to feel the weight of this betrayal of gospel truth, especially through the unexpected fall of Barnabas. The repeated emphasis on "dissimulation" (from *hypokrisis*) also highlights **Irony**, as those who should be living in the freedom and truth of the gospel are instead engaging in pretense and legalistic segregation, acting contrary to the very spirit of the new covenant they proclaim.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 2:13 is a pivotal verse that underscores the profound theological implications of practical behavior within the Christian community. Peter's dissimulation and the subsequent widespread adoption of this hypocrisy by other Jewish believers, including Barnabas, directly threatened the core truth of the gospel: that salvation and acceptance before God come solely through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Law or ethnic distinction. This incident exposed the deep tension between Christian liberty and legalism, demonstrating how fear of external judgment can lead believers to compromise the radical inclusivity of the gospel, thereby undermining the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ. Paul's forceful response, as detailed in the following verses, reveals his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the purity of the message of grace and ensuring that the church's practice aligns with its theological confession.

* [Galatians 2:11-12](/galatians/2-11-12 "Paul Confronts Peter's Hypocrisy") – Provides the immediate context, detailing Peter's initial withdrawal from table fellowship with Gentiles.
* [Galatians 2:14](/galatians/2-14 "Paul Rebukes Peter Publicly") – Shows Paul's public confrontation with Peter, directly addressing the hypocrisy and its implications for the gospel.
* [Acts 15:1-11](/acts/15-1-11 "The Jerusalem Council on Gentile Inclusion") – Describes the Jerusalem Council's earlier decision affirming that Gentile believers do not need to be circumcised or follow the Mosaic Law for salvation, a decision that Peter himself had supported.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 2:13 serves as a sobering mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the integrity of our actions. The ease with which Peter, and subsequently Barnabas and other Jewish believers, succumbed to hypocrisy out of fear of human judgment reminds us that even seasoned Christians are susceptible to compromise. This verse calls us to a radical commitment to gospel truth, urging us to prioritize Christ's finished work and the unity it creates over social pressures, cultural expectations, or the fear of offending traditionalists. True Christian fellowship should be marked by genuine acceptance and love, transcending ethnic, social, or denominational divides, reflecting the truth that in Christ, all are one. We must vigilantly guard against any behavior or teaching that adds conditions to God's free grace or creates divisions where Christ has established unity, always striving to live out the freedom and truth of the gospel with unwavering integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "dissemble" or act hypocritically to gain approval or avoid conflict?**
* **Whose influence do I allow to shape my convictions or actions, and is that influence aligned with the truth of the gospel?**
* **How can I better stand firm for the purity of the gospel and the unity of the church, even when it means challenging respected leaders or popular opinions?**
* **Am I truly embracing and extending the unconditional acceptance that Christ offers, or am I subtly imposing extra-biblical conditions on others?**

### FAQ
**What does "dissembled" mean in this context, and why was it so problematic?**

Answer: In Galatians 2:13, "dissembled" (Greek *synypokrínomai*) means to act hypocritically in concert with others, to pretend or put on a false front. It describes Peter's action of withdrawing from table fellowship with Gentile Christians when Jewish believers from Jerusalem arrived, and the subsequent imitation of this behavior by other Jewish Christians, including Barnabas. This was problematic because it contradicted the truth of the gospel, which teaches that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith in Christ alone, without needing to adhere to the Mosaic Law. By separating, they were implicitly suggesting that Gentile believers were somehow "unclean" or less acceptable unless they conformed to Jewish customs, thereby undermining the unity of the church and adding works to God's grace. Paul saw this as a direct threat to the integrity of the gospel message, as it denied the radical inclusivity and freedom found in Christ.

**Why was Barnabas's involvement particularly significant?**

Answer: Barnabas's involvement was particularly significant because he was a highly respected leader in the early church, known for his faith, generosity, and his role as Paul's missionary companion ([Acts 13:2](/acts/13-2 "Acts 13:2 - Paul and Barnabas Sent Out")). He had previously demonstrated a heart for Gentile inclusion, even being called "Son of Encouragement" ([Acts 4:36](/acts/4-36 "Acts 4:36 - Barnabas, Son of Encouragement")). His being "carried away" (Greek *synapágō*, meaning swept along) by the dissimulation highlights the immense pressure and pervasive nature of Peter's compromising example. It underscores that even strong, godly individuals are susceptible to the fear of man and group influence, making the situation even more alarming and demonstrating the profound threat this hypocrisy posed to the gospel's integrity. His fall served as a powerful illustration of how widespread and dangerous this compromise had become.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 2:13, though detailing a moment of human failure and compromise, ultimately points to the supreme integrity and truth of Christ. The dissimulation of Peter and the other Jewish believers stands in stark contrast to Jesus, who consistently exposed hypocrisy and lived a life of perfect authenticity. Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day for their outward show of righteousness that masked inward corruption, famously calling them "whitewashed tombs" ([Matthew 23:27](/matthew/23-27 "Matthew 23:27 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). He is the embodiment of truth, and His gospel breaks down all dividing walls, making "one new humanity" out of Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The gospel's power is precisely in its ability to unite diverse peoples by grace through faith, without the need for legalistic adherence or cultural assimilation. Paul's unwavering stand against Peter's hypocrisy, even at great personal cost, reflects Christ's own uncompromising commitment to truth and His mission to establish a church where all are genuinely accepted and unified in Him, free from the burden of the law and the pretense of human approval. The cross of Christ, which abolishes the need for works and distinctions, is the ultimate answer to the dissimulation described here, calling believers to live consistently with the freedom and unity purchased by His blood ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Ephesians 4:14

That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your glorying [is] not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Genesis 12:11

And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou [art] a fair woman to look upon:

Genesis 12:13

Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Hebrews 13:9

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.