Acts 20:9-10
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. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text highlights Eutychus's name, meaning "good fortune" or "lucky," which is a striking contrast to his literal deadly fall. This detail subtly underscores how even those who seem blessed can face unexpected tragedy, and that true "good fortune" is found in God's rescue, not just a favorable name.
Paul is delivering an extended message late into the night to the believers in Troas, who had gathered to break bread. As the message stretches on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window to catch a breeze, succumbs to exhaustion and deep sleep. He then tumbles from the third story and is discovered lying on the ground, seemingly dead, which briefly interrupts the gathering.
Paul preached for hours, and a young man paid the ultimate price for a moment of weakness. What does this tell us about the intensity of ministry and the vulnerability of listeners?
This story isn't just about a sleepy teenager; it's a window into the demanding nature of early Christian ministry.
A Marathon Sermon
Paul’s message wasn't a quick pep talk. He preached “long,” continuing his speech until midnight and beyond. The disciples were gathered for a special occasion – the Lord’s Day, the breaking of bread – and Paul, knowing he was leaving soon, poured out his heart. The intensity and duration of his preaching highlight the deep spiritual hunger of the believers and Paul's own commitment to discipling them.
The Cost of Exhaustion
In a room lit by many lamps, packed with people, the air must have been thick. For Eutychus, perched precariously in an open window for air, the late hour and the message’s length were a recipe for disaster. He “sank into a deep sleep,” a natural human response to exhaustion and the late hour. This wasn't necessarily a sign of disrespect, but a stark illustration of human frailty meeting spiritual intensity. The fall from the third story and his apparent death underscore the real physical dangers involved, even in sacred gatherings.
Eutychus was 'taken up dead.' Yet, Paul’s words and actions suggest more was happening than a simple death. What does this event reveal about God’s power over life and death?
The narrative surrounding Eutychus’s fall presents a profound demonstration of God’s power through Paul.
More Than Apparent Death?
While Eutychus was 'taken up dead,' some scholars suggest it might have been a state of suspended animation or apparent death. The commentators note the lack of physical trauma like fractured bones, pointing to a shock to the system. Paul’s immediate reassurance, 'his life is in him,' implies that life, though perhaps hidden or dramatically suppressed, was not extinguished. This doesn't diminish the miracle; rather, it highlights God’s ability to restore life even when all hope seems lost.
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.
psychē · Greek Noun
The animating principle or essential existence of a human being, created by God. It denotes the immaterial aspect of humanity that continues even when the physical body fails, reflecting the reality that life originates and is sustained by the Creator.
This event in Troas powerfully illustrates the spiritual hunger of the early church and the divine endorsement of Paul's ministry, even amidst human frailty and the apparent finality of death.
c. AD 57
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul is actively engaged in his extensive missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Troas
Paul arrives in Troas, a significant port city, and spends time teaching and ministering to the believers there, as indicated by this gathering.
c. AD 57
Extended Preaching and Worship
The believers gathered on the first day of the week for worship, including the Lord's Supper and Paul's lengthy teaching, which continued late into the night.
c. AD 57
Eutychus Falls from Window
During Paul's extended sermon, a young man named Eutychus, overcome by sleep, falls from a third-story window and appears to be dead.
This passage describes Elijah raising a boy from apparent death after he had collapsed, similar to Eutychus's situation and Paul's miraculous intervention.
2 Kings 4:34This story parallels Eutychus's revival as Elisha stretches himself upon a child who had died, echoing Paul's posture in bringing Eutychus back to life.
John 11:43Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead demonstrates divine power over death, which is also evident in Paul's miraculous act with Eutychus.
Romans 1:16While Eutychus's story is a dramatic display of power, this verse highlights that the Gospel itself is the power of God for salvation, a deeper spiritual life transformation.
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 Eutychus's name, meaning "good fortune" or "lucky," which is a striking contrast to his literal deadly fall. This detail subtly underscores how even those who seem blessed can face unexpected tragedy, and that true "good fortune" is found in God's rescue, not just a favorable name.
Paul is delivering an extended message late into the night to the believers in Troas, who had gathered to break bread. As the message stretches on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window to catch a breeze, succumbs to exhaustion and deep sleep. He then tumbles from the third story and is discovered lying on the ground, seemingly dead, which briefly interrupts the gathering.
Paul is delivering an extended message late into the night to the believers in Troas, who had gathered to break bread. As the message stretches on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window to catch a breeze, succumbs to exhaustion and deep sleep. He then tumbles from the third story and is discovered lying on the ground, seemingly dead, which briefly interrupts the gathering.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 20:9-10 is available in the Sola app.
God Turning Tragedy into Testimony
Some speculate that Satan might have desired to disrupt Paul's ministry and Paul's message. However, God, in His sovereignty, used this tragic event to achieve the opposite. The miraculous resuscitation of Eutychus served as an undeniable sign, confirming Paul's apostolic authority and the power of the gospel message they had just heard. It transformed a potentially devastating incident into a powerful confirmation of faith for the gathered believers, reinforcing the message they had received.
c. AD 57
Paul Resurrects Eutychus
Paul embraces the young man, declaring his life is still in him, and he is miraculously restored to life, confirming the power of God's word and Paul's ministry.
c. AD 57
Paul Departs Troas
After this miraculous event and further fellowship, Paul continues his journey, traveling by land to Assos while the others sail.
"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. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taki…" — The text highlights Eutychus's name, meaning "good fortune" or "lucky," which is a striking contrast to his literal deadly fall. This detail subtly underscores how even those who seem blessed can fac…
