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Acts 20

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

These going before tarried for us at Troas.

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

What does Acts 20:9 mean?

Explanation

The verse in question describes an incident that occurred during one of the Apostle Paul's gatherings.

It was customary for Paul to preach and teach for extended periods, and on this particular occasion, a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window ledge.

Due to the length of Paul's preaching, Eutychus fell into a deep sleep, eventually succumbed to the sleep, and fell from the third story.

The fall resulted in his death.

However, reading in the context of Acts 20, it is revealed that Paul went down, embraced him, and Eutychus was restored to life, indicating a miraculous event.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 20:9 is part of the narrative about Paul's missionary journey through Macedonia and Greece which took place circa 55-58 AD.

The early Christian community would gather, often in private homes, to break bread, preach, and teach about Jesus Christ.

For the early Christians, such gatherings were essential for worship and fellowship, and they would sometimes last well into the night.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this event in Acts demonstrates several points:

Divine Power: The resurrection of Eutychus by Paul is seen to illustrate the power of God working through His apostles, validating their ministry.
Human Weakness: Eutychus's sleepiness and subsequent fall could symbolize human frailty in the face of divine revelation and the need for spiritual vigilance.
Compassion and Community: Paul's immediate reaction to descend and embrace Eutychus shows the pastoral care and love present within the early Christian communities.

Practical Applications

From a practical stance, this verse underlines several aspects for daily living:

Endurance in Worship: Patience and perseverance in spiritual pursuits, despite physical limitations.
Safety and Awareness: The need to pay attention to our physical environment and ensure safety, especially when fatigued.
Caring for Others: The importance of community support and care during the times of accidents or unexpected events.

Cross-References

Acts 9:36-42 (Dorcas raised from the dead by Peter)
Acts 28:3-6 (Paul is unharmed by a viper bite, demonstrating divine protection)
1 Kings 17:17-24 (Elijah raises the widow’s son)
2 Kings 4:32-37 (Elisha raises the Shunammite woman's son)
John 11:1-44 (The resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus)

Language Study

Eutychus: The name Eutychus means "fortunate," which could be seen as ironic given his fall, but also prophetic considering his subsequent revival.
"Third Loft": Implies a three-story building, which indicates they were not in a humble setting, as multiple stories were rarer in that period.
"Deep sleep" (Greek: "καθεύδων βαθύ"): This phrase indicates a profound, heavy sleep, which contributes to the scene's dramatic nature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within other ancient religions and myths, miraculous healings or resurrections are sometimes present. For example, the story has parallels with the Ancient Egyptian myth of Osiris, who was resurrected by the god Isis.

However, in the Christian context, such miracles serve to highlight the authority of Jesus Christ and His apostles, rather than simply serving as mythological tales.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, a fall from such a height would typically result in fatal injuries, lending to the miracle's significance.

With modern medicine, understanding has improved on how to revive individuals who experience trauma, but in the first century, such an event as Eutychus's survival with immediate revival could only be ascribed to supernatural intervention.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have offered insights on this verse:

John Calvin: Highlighted God’s grace in giving Paul the power to raise Eutychus and saw the miracle as a consolation to the believers present.
Matthew Henry: Emphasized the miracle's role in confirming the truth of Paul’s message and preventing the incident from overshadowing the gospel.
William Barclay: Noted the practical application that preachers should be wary of overlong sermons that may become tedious to listeners.

Acts 20

Acts 20

What does Acts 20:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 20:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?