And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights that Eutychus fell because he was "overcome by sleep," not simply drowsy. This phrasing emphasizes that it wasn't a matter of weak will or disrespect, but an overwhelming physical state, suggesting the late hour and Paul's extended teaching contributed to his vulnerability. It hints that Eutychus was a casualty of intense, perhaps even exhausting, devotion.
And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is extending his farewell sermon in Troas, preaching late into the night to the disciples gathered before his departure. Amidst the long message, a young man named Eutychus, dozing in a window for air, falls asleep and tumbles from the third story, appearing dead. This dramatic event, however, becomes a powerful demonstration of God's power, as Paul miraculously restores Eutychus to life.
Paul's preaching wasn't just a talk; it was a divine encounter. But what happens when listeners can't keep up?
Paul was known for his lengthy messages, often continuing until late at night or even past midnight. In Acts 20, he speaks so long that the disciples gather 'upon the first day of the week' to break bread, and Paul continues his discourse until midnight. This wasn't just casual chatting; it was proclaiming the gospel with divine authority. The sheer duration and intensity of Paul's teaching, coupled with the warm, lamp-lit atmosphere of the upper room, created a potent spiritual environment. Yet, for Eutychus, it became a physical challenge.
This highlights a core truth: God's Word carries immense spiritual weight and power. It's meant to transform, convict, and illuminate. However, our human bodies and minds have limits. We need to approach God's Word with reverence and attentiveness, but also with a realistic understanding of our own needs for rest and refreshment.
A young man falls to his death, seemingly as a tragic accident during worship. But God's plan unfolds with profound grace.
The fall of Eutychus from the third story is dramatic and shocking. The text states he was 'taken up dead.' This wasn't just a light nap and a stumble; it appeared to be a fatal accident.
However, the narrative immediately pivots to divine intervention. Paul, with evident compassion and divine power, goes down, embraces the young man, and declares, 'Be not troubled, for his life is in him.' The miracle isn't just Eutychus being brought back to life, but also the demonstration of God's sovereign power over life and death, even in the midst of a sacred gathering.
This event serves as a powerful testament to the reality of the resurrection and God's ability to turn even the most tragic circumstances into opportunities for His glory and the confirmation of His message. It assures us that God can bring life out of death and hope out of despair.
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Understand the original words
neanias · Greek Noun
A person of youthful age, often used in scripture to denote one who has not yet reached full adult maturity or responsibility, yet is capable of engaging with the life of the community.
nekros · Greek Adjective
A state of total cessation of biological life in the body. In the Bible, it is the result of the fall and separation from God, yet it is ultimately subject to the power and authority of God who can grant life.
This event in Troas occurred during Paul's final missionary journey, highlighting the apostle's relentless dedication to ministry and the disciples' eagerness to learn, even at the cost of sleep and safety. The miracle serves as a powerful confirmation of Paul's message in a pivotal moment before his arrest.
c. AD 56
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul is undertaking his extensive third missionary journey, traveling throughout Asia Minor and Greece. This journey involved significant preaching, teaching, and establishing churches.
c. AD 56-57— this verse
Paul's Visit to Troas
Paul arrives in the city of Troas, a significant port on the Aegean coast. He stays for seven days, during which this event occurs on the first day of the week.
c. AD 57
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Shortly after this event in Troas, Paul travels to Miletus, where he delivers a famous farewell speech to the elders of the church in Ephesus.
c. AD 57-58
Paul's Journey to Jerusalem
Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem, facing numerous dangers and warnings about his impending arrest and suffering.
This passage describes Elijah raising a young boy from death, mirroring Paul's miraculous act of resuscitation and demonstrating God's power over life and death through His messengers.
2 Kings 4:29-37Elisha also raises a young boy from death by stretching himself upon the child, a parallel to Paul's action of falling upon Eutychus, highlighting the theme of divine power working through prophetic figures.
John 11:43-44Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb demonstrates His ultimate authority over death, providing the divine precedent and power that underlies Paul's lesser miracle in Acts.
Romans 8:11This verse speaks of the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in believers, offering a theological framework for how the same life-giving power could be manifested through Paul.
ellicottActs 20:9: "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."
(9) There sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus . . . —The name, like those of kindred meaning, such as Felix, Felicia, Felicissimus, Syntyche, Epaphroditus, Fortunatus, Faustus, Felicitas, was sufficiently common, especially among the freed-man class. In one inst…
pooleActs 20:9: "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."
Preaching; discoursing and arguing; for it does not seem to have been a continued speech, by the word here used. Fell down from the third loft; this fall is thought by some to have been caused by Satan, (through God’s permission), that he might the more disturb Paul, and hinde…
The text highlights that Eutychus fell because he was "overcome by sleep," not simply drowsy. This phrasing emphasizes that it wasn't a matter of weak will or disrespect, but an overwhelming physical state, suggesting the late hour and Paul's extended teaching contributed to his vulnerability. It hints that Eutychus was a casualty of intense, perhaps even exhausting, devotion.
Paul is extending his farewell sermon in Troas, preaching late into the night to the disciples gathered before his departure. Amidst the long message, a young man named Eutychus, dozing in a window for air, falls asleep and tumbles from the third story, appearing dead. This dramatic event, however, becomes a powerful demonstration of God's power, as Paul miraculously restores Eutychus to life.
Paul is extending his farewell sermon in Troas, preaching late into the night to the disciples gathered before his departure. Amidst the long message, a young man named Eutychus, dozing in a window for air, falls asleep and tumbles from the third story, appearing dead. This dramatic event, however, becomes a powerful demonstration of God's power, as Paul miraculously restores Eutychus to life.
"And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead." — The text highlights that Eutychus fell because he was "overcome by sleep," not simply drowsy. This phrasing emphasizes that it wasn't a matter of weak will or disrespect, but an overwhelming physical…
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Last reviewed October 2026