Acts 20:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Paul {G3972} went down {G2597}, and fell on {G1968} him {G846}, and {G2532} embracing {G4843} him said {G2036}, Trouble {G2350} not {G3361} yourselves {G2350}; for {G1063} his {G846} life {G5590} is {G2076} in {G1722} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Sha’ul went down, threw himself onto him, put his arms around him and said, “Don’t be upset, he’s alive!”

Berean Standard Bible

But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!”

American Standard Version

And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 20:10 vividly recounts a pivotal moment during Paul's farewell discourse in Troas, where a young man named Eutychus fell to his death from a third-story window. In a powerful display of divine intervention and apostolic authority, Paul immediately descended, embraced the deceased youth, and confidently declared, "Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him," miraculously restoring Eutychus to life and transforming a scene of profound grief into one of joyous celebration and renewed faith among the gathered believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the narrative in [Acts 20:7-12](/acts/20-7-12 "Paul's Farewell in Troas and the Raising of Eutychus"). Paul, on his way to Jerusalem, had gathered with the believers in Troas on the first day of the week to break bread and preach. His sermon extended late into the night, and a young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window, succumbed to deep sleep and fell from the third story. The preceding verse, [Acts 20:9](/acts/20-9 "Eutychus Falls from the Window"), explicitly states that when Eutychus was picked up, he was "dead." Paul's immediate and decisive action in verse 10, descending to the scene and embracing the body, directly responds to this tragic event, setting the stage for the miraculous restoration that follows and confirming the divine power accompanying his ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Early Christian gatherings often took place in upper rooms of private homes, as churches did not yet have dedicated buildings. These meetings could be lengthy, extending late into the night, as seen here, reflecting the fervent commitment of the early believers and perhaps the need to meet after work hours or under the cover of darkness for security. The setting, with many lamps (mentioned in [Acts 20:8](/acts/20-8 "Many Lamps in the Upper Room")), would have consumed oxygen and contributed to the stuffy atmosphere, making it conducive for someone to fall asleep. In the ancient world, death was a stark reality with limited medical intervention, making Paul's intervention all the more extraordinary and a clear sign of divine power, reminiscent of the miraculous acts of Old Testament prophets.
* **Key Themes:** This incident powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Intervention and Resurrection Power**, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, a power previously manifested through [Old Testament prophets like Elijah](/1_kings/17-21 "Elijah Raises the Widow's Son") and [Elisha](/2_kings/4-34 "Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son"), and later by [Peter raising Dorcas](/acts/9-40 "Peter Raises Dorcas"). Secondly, it highlights **Paul's Compassion and Apostolic Authority**, as his physical act of "falling on him and embracing him" reveals deep personal care, while his calm, authoritative declaration, "Trouble not yourselves," immediately brings comfort and assurance, underscoring his faith and the spiritual authority invested in him. Lastly, the event emphasizes **God's Comfort and Assurance in Crisis**, as Paul's confident words turn a moment of intense fear and sorrow into renewed hope and celebration, affirming God's life-giving power at work in the midst of despair.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fell on (Greek, _epipíptō'_):** This verb, derived from `epí` (upon) and `píptō` (to fall), signifies to fall upon, embrace, or seize. In this context, it describes Paul's immediate and decisive action of physically collapsing onto Eutychus. This posture is highly significant, echoing the actions of Old Testament prophets like Elijah and Elisha when they raised the dead, suggesting a transfer or manifestation of divine power and life.
* **embracing (Greek, _symperilambánō'_):** This compound verb, from `sýn` (with), `perí` (around), and `lambánō` (to take), means to take by enclosing altogether, or to earnestly throw the arms about someone. It conveys a deep sense of compassion, intimacy, and perhaps a spiritual connection, indicating Paul's profound personal engagement with the situation and the young man.
* **life (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** This noun refers to breath, spirit, or the vital life force. In this context, it unequivocally signifies the restoration of Eutychus's physical, animate existence. Paul's declaration, "his life is in him," is a factual statement that Eutychus's `psychē`, his very breath and animated existence, had returned, confirming a genuine resurrection from death, not merely a revival from unconsciousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Paul went down":** This phrase emphasizes Paul's immediate and decisive action. Upon hearing the commotion and learning of Eutychus's fall, Paul does not hesitate but descends from the third story, demonstrating his pastoral urgency and readiness to intervene in the crisis.
* **"and fell on him, and embracing [him]":** This describes Paul's physical engagement with Eutychus's body. The act of "falling on" and "embracing" is a deliberate, intimate gesture. It is reminiscent of the prophets Elijah and Elisha who laid themselves upon dead children to restore them, suggesting that Paul, as an apostle, was acting as a channel for God's life-giving power, accompanied by deep compassion for the young man.
* **"said, Trouble not yourselves;":** Paul's words are a direct command to the agitated and grieving crowd. The phrase "Trouble not yourselves" (from `thorybéō`, to be in tumult or clamor) serves to calm their distress and panic. It is an authoritative declaration, stemming from Paul's faith and spiritual discernment, that the situation is not as hopeless as it appears.
* **"for his life is in him.":** This is the miraculous declaration, the core of the verse. Paul states as a present fact that Eutychus's vital life force (`psychē`) has returned. This is not a hopeful wish or a prediction, but an authoritative announcement of a completed miracle, confirming that Eutychus, who was explicitly stated to be dead in the preceding verse, has been fully restored to life by divine power.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [Acts 20:10](/acts/20-10 "Paul Raises Eutychus") is rich with literary devices that amplify its impact. **Typology** is prominent, as Paul's actions of falling upon Eutychus and restoring him to life directly parallel the resurrection miracles performed by Old Testament prophets like Elijah ([1 Kings 17:21](/1_kings/17-21 "Elijah Raises the Widow's Son")) and Elisha ([2 Kings 4:34](/2_kings/4-34 "Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")), establishing a continuity of divine power through God's chosen servants. The narrative employs **Dramatic Irony** and **Suspense**, building tension with the explicit statement of Eutychus's death in [Acts 20:9](/acts/20-9 "Eutychus Falls from the Window"), only to be immediately resolved by Paul's confident declaration in verse 10. **Direct Discourse** is used for Paul's words ("Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him"), lending immediate authority and impact to his pronouncement. Furthermore, Paul's physical act of embracing Eutychus serves as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not only his deep compassion but also the physical channel through which God's life-giving power is manifested, transforming death into life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 20:10 stands as a profound testament to God's sovereign power over death and His compassionate intervention in human suffering. The resurrection of Eutychus is not merely a sensational miracle; it serves as a powerful affirmation of the resurrection power of Christ at work through His apostles, demonstrating that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead continues to operate in the world. This event underscores the truth that God is capable of bringing life out of seemingly hopeless situations, offering profound comfort and strengthening the faith of believers. It also highlights the divine authentication of Paul's ministry, confirming his status as a true apostle endowed with extraordinary spiritual authority, and serves as a vivid reminder that the God of the Old Testament, who raised the dead through His prophets, is the same God who continues His redemptive work through His church in the New Testament era.

* [1 Kings 17:21](/1_kings/17-21 "Elijah Raises the Widow's Son")
* [2 Kings 4:34](/2_kings/4-34 "Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")
* [John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead")
* [Acts 9:40](/acts/9-40 "Peter Raises Dorcas")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The miraculous restoration of Eutychus in Acts 20:10 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a deep and unwavering faith in God's power, even when faced with circumstances that appear utterly hopeless or final. Just as Paul, in a moment of crisis, remained calm and confident in God's ability to intervene, we are similarly challenged to trust in divine sovereignty and to speak words of faith and assurance rather than succumbing to panic or despair. This account reminds us that God's power is not limited by human logic or the apparent finality of death, whether physical, spiritual, or circumstantial. Furthermore, Paul's compassionate response—his immediate descent and embrace—serves as a model for leadership within the church, demonstrating that true spiritual authority is always accompanied by profound empathy and a willingness to engage personally with the suffering of others. We are called to embody both courageous faith and tender compassion, bringing God's truth and comfort into the midst of life's most challenging moments, thereby fostering hope and strengthening the community of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the account of Eutychus's resurrection challenge my understanding of God's power in seemingly impossible situations in my own life or in the world?**
* **In what ways can I, like Paul, offer calm assurance and faith to those in distress, even when circumstances appear dire?**
* **How does this miracle strengthen my belief in God's ultimate victory over death and despair, and how might that impact my daily living?**

### FAQ
**Was Eutychus truly dead, or was he merely unconscious or gravely injured?**

Answer: The biblical text strongly indicates that Eutychus was truly dead. [Acts 20:9](/acts/20-9 "Eutychus Falls from the Window") explicitly states, "and was taken up dead." The Greek word used for "life" in Paul's declaration, `psychē` (G5590), refers to the vital life force or breath, signifying a complete restoration from death, not just a revival from unconsciousness. Paul's actions, reminiscent of Old Testament prophets raising the dead, and the subsequent joy and amazement of the crowd, confirm that this was understood as a genuine resurrection, a miraculous act of God's power over death itself.

**Why did Paul fall on Eutychus? Is this a standard practice for healing or resurrection?**

Answer: Paul's action of "falling on" Eutychus is not presented as a prescribed ritual or a standard practice for healing, but rather as a specific, Spirit-led act in this unique context. It draws a clear parallel to the actions of Old Testament prophets, specifically Elijah laying on the widow's son in [1 Kings 17:21](/1_kings/17-21 "Elijah Raises the Widow's Son") and Elisha laying on the Shunammite's son in [2 Kings 4:34](/2_kings/4-34 "Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son"). This physical contact symbolized a deep spiritual engagement and served as a conduit for the divine power that brought Eutychus back to life. It emphasizes that the power comes from God, not from a human technique, but through a chosen instrument.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The resurrection of Eutychus in Acts 20:10 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is Himself "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")). Paul's ability to raise Eutychus from the dead is a direct manifestation of the power of the resurrected Christ working through His apostle. This miracle is not merely an isolated event but a powerful testimony to the ongoing reality of Christ's victory over death, a victory secured through His own crucifixion and glorious resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ's Resurrection as the Firstfruits")). Just as Jesus demonstrated His authority over death by raising Lazarus ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead")) and others, so too does He empower His followers, through the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Power of the Holy Spirit")), to participate in His life-giving mission. Eutychus's resurrection serves as a powerful foretaste of the future general resurrection of all believers, when Christ, as the firstfruits, will call all who are in their graves to new life ([1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16-17 "The Lord's Return and the Resurrection of Believers")), ultimately culminating in the new heavens and new earth where death will be no more ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "No More Death or Sorrow")). Thus, the miracle in Troas is a vivid illustration of the life-transforming power that flows from the crucified and risen 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

Mark 5:39

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Matthew 9:23

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

Matthew 9:24

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

1 Kings 17:21

And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.

1 Kings 17:22

And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

2 Kings 4:34

And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

2 Kings 4:35

Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.