Acts 20:11

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.

When {G1161} he {G305} therefore was come up again {G305}, and {G2532} had broken {G2806} bread {G740}, and {G2532} eaten {G1089}, and {G5037} talked {G3656}{G1909} a long while {G2425}, even till {G891} break of day {G827}, so {G3779} he departed {G1831}.

Then he went back upstairs, broke the bread and ate. He continued talking with them till daylight, then left.

Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed.

And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

Context

This verse describes the final moments of the Apostle Paul's significant meeting with believers in Troas, immediately following the miraculous resurrection of Eutychus. Earlier, Paul had been preaching late into the night, causing a young man named Eutychus to fall from a third-story window to his death. Paul went down, embraced him, and miraculously restored him to life. This dramatic event underscores the divine power accompanying Paul's ministry and sets the stage for the solemn yet joyful continuation of their gathering before Paul's departure.

Key Themes

  • Resurrection and Divine Intervention: The verse highlights the immediate aftermath of a powerful miracle, demonstrating God's sovereignty over life and death. This event served to comfort and strengthen the believers, affirming the truth of the resurrection that Paul preached.
  • Christian Fellowship and Communion: The act of "broken bread, and eaten" signifies both a shared meal of fellowship and likely the observance of the Lord's Supper. This was a central practice for the early Christian community, emphasizing unity, spiritual nourishment, and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.
  • Dedicated Teaching and Discipleship: Paul's willingness to speak "a long while, even till break of day" underscores his profound commitment to teaching the Word and nurturing the faith of the believers. His tireless effort exemplifies the importance of diligent instruction in the church and the depth of spiritual hunger among the early Christians.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "broken bread" (Greek: klasanta arton) is significant. While it can simply refer to sharing a common meal, in the context of early Christian gatherings, especially after a long night of teaching, it often alludes to the celebration of the Lord's Supper. This act was central to their worship and fellowship, symbolizing unity and remembrance of Christ's body broken for them.

Practical Application

This passage encourages believers to prioritize spiritual fellowship and engage deeply with God's Word, even for extended periods, recognizing its vital role in growth. It also reminds us of the profound dedication required for effective ministry and discipleship, inspiring us to persevere in faith and service, just as Paul did before his departure from Troas. Furthermore, it offers comfort and hope, demonstrating that God's power can intervene even in the most dire circumstances, bringing life and strengthening faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 20:7

    ¶ 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.

  • Acts 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.

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