Acts 20:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} there sat {G2521} in {G1909} a window {G2376} a certain {G5100} young man {G3494} named {G3686} Eutychus {G2161}, being fallen {G2702} into a deep {G901} sleep {G5258}: and as Paul {G3972} was long {G1909}{G4119} preaching {G1256}, he sunk down {G2702} with {G575} sleep {G5258}, and fell down {G2736}{G4098} from {G575} the third loft {G5152}, and {G2532} was taken up {G142} dead {G3498}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and there was a young fellow named Eutychus sitting on the window-sill. As Sha’ul’s drash went on and on, Eutychus grew sleepier and sleepier; until finally he went sound asleep and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead.

Berean Standard Bible

And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead.

American Standard Version

And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 20:9 vividly recounts a dramatic incident during Paul's extended farewell sermon in Troas, where a young man named Eutychus, overcome by an exceptionally deep sleep while seated in a window, fell three stories to his death. This verse sets the stage for a profound demonstration of divine power through the Apostle Paul, highlighting the human element within early Christian gatherings and foreshadowing a miraculous intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This incident occurs within the broader narrative of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically during his return trip to Jerusalem. Having spent three months in Greece, Paul is now making his way back, intending to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost. The gathering in Troas, described in [Acts 20:7-12](/acts/20-7-12 "Paul's Farewell in Troas and Eutychus's Revival"), is a significant stop, characterized by an intense, prolonged teaching session. The verse immediately precedes the miraculous resuscitation of Eutychus, making it crucial for establishing the severity of the situation and the undeniable nature of the subsequent miracle. It underscores the spiritual earnestness of the early church, willing to meet late into the night to hear apostolic teaching.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Troas, a significant port city in Asia Minor. Early Christian gatherings often took place in upper rooms of private homes, as churches did not yet have dedicated buildings. These rooms, especially when crowded with many people and numerous lamps (as mentioned in [Acts 20:8](/acts/20-8 "Many Lamps in the Upper Room")), would have been warm and stuffy, contributing to the conditions that might induce drowsiness. The "first day of the week" meeting (Sunday, [Acts 20:7](/acts/20-7 "Early Church Meeting on the First Day of the Week")) signifies the early church's practice of gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and teaching, establishing a pattern that would continue. Paul's "long preaching" (literally, "prolonged discourse") reflects the common practice of extensive teaching in ancient philosophical and religious traditions, where orators would speak for hours.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. It powerfully illustrates the **human frailty** of even devout believers, contrasting it sharply with the **divine power** at work through God's apostles, particularly in the face of death. The **intensity and commitment of early Christian gatherings** are also evident, as believers convened late into the night for extended teaching. Furthermore, it highlights **Paul's tireless dedication to ministry** and his profound passion for communicating the Gospel, even to the point of preaching until midnight. Ultimately, [Acts 20:9](/acts/20-9 "Eutychus Falls from the Window") serves as the dramatic setup for a **miracle of resurrection**, emphasizing God's sovereignty over life and death and the authentication of His messengers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **neanías (Greek, _neanías'_):** This term, translated as "young man," denotes a youth typically up to about forty years of age. Its use here emphasizes Eutychus's relative youth, making his sudden death all the more tragic and his subsequent revival all the more remarkable. The detail humanizes the account, allowing the audience to connect with the vulnerability of a young life.
* **kataphérō (Greek, _kataphérō'_):** Translated as "being fallen into a deep sleep" and "sunk down with sleep," this verb literally means "to bear down" or "to bring down." In this context, it figuratively describes being overcome or weighed down by drowsiness, indicating an irresistible and profound state of slumber, rather than a mere light doze. It underscores the involuntary nature of Eutychus's descent into sleep.
* **nekrós (Greek, _nekrós'_):** This word, meaning "dead" or "lifeless," is used unequivocally to describe Eutychus's state after his fall. The text leaves no ambiguity about his condition; he was not merely unconscious or severely injured, but genuinely deceased. This explicit declaration is crucial for validating the miraculous nature of his subsequent revival, ensuring that the reader understands a true resurrection took place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus,"**: This introduces the central figure of the incident, Eutychus, identifying him as a "young man" and specifying his precarious position "in a window." This detail immediately establishes the physical context for the impending fall, highlighting the potential danger of his chosen spot in a crowded, late-night assembly.
* **"being fallen into a deep sleep:"**: This clause describes Eutychus's state, emphasizing that he was not merely drowsy but had succumbed to a profound and overwhelming slumber. The "deep sleep" (Greek: _bathys hypnos_) suggests an involuntary and irresistible condition, likely exacerbated by the long sermon, the late hour, and the stuffy atmosphere of the upper room.
* **"and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep,"**: This part connects Eutychus's condition directly to Paul's extended discourse. Paul's "long preaching" (Greek: _epí pleíōn dialégomai_, "speaking for a longer time") indicates the considerable duration of the sermon, which continued until midnight. Eutychus's "sinking down with sleep" reinforces the idea of being completely overcome by drowsiness, leading to his loss of control.
* **"and fell down from the third loft,"**: This is the climactic action of the verse, detailing the tragic consequence of Eutychus's sleep. The "third loft" (Greek: _trístegon_) specifies the height of the fall, emphasizing its severity. Falling from such a height would inevitably result in grave injury or death, setting the stage for the dramatic outcome.
* **"and was taken up dead."**: This final, stark declaration confirms the immediate and fatal result of the fall. The phrase "taken up dead" (Greek: _aírō nekrós_) leaves no doubt about Eutychus's condition; he was lifeless. This definitive statement is vital for the narrative, as it underscores the miraculous nature of Paul's subsequent action in [Acts 20:10](/acts/20-10 "Eutychus is Raised from the Dead"), transforming the event from a mere accident into a powerful display of divine power over death.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in [Acts 20:9](/acts/20-9 "Eutychus's Fatal Fall") employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Realism** is evident in the depiction of Eutychus's natural human response to a long, late-night sermon, making the scene relatable and believable. The detail of him sitting in a window and falling from a "third loft" adds a vivid, concrete quality to the account. There is a strong element of **dramatic irony** and **foreshadowing**, as the seemingly tragic and final declaration of Eutychus being "taken up dead" sets up the extraordinary miracle that immediately follows, creating anticipation for divine intervention. Furthermore, the passage employs **contrast** between human vulnerability and the imminent display of divine power, highlighting the limitations of the flesh against the boundless capacity of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 20:9, while a seemingly tragic incident, serves as a powerful theological precursor to the demonstration of God's life-giving power through Paul. It underscores the reality of human limitations—fatigue, vulnerability, and mortality—even in the midst of spiritual fervor. The explicit statement that Eutychus was "taken up dead" is crucial; it removes any ambiguity regarding his condition, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of his subsequent revival. This event aligns with a consistent biblical theme: God's sovereignty over life and death, and His ability to restore life, often through His chosen servants, to authenticate their message and demonstrate His glory. It reminds us that even in moments of human weakness or tragic accident, God's redemptive purposes can be powerfully revealed.

* [1 Kings 17:17-24](/1_kings/17-17-24 "Elijah Raises the Widow's Son")
* [2 Kings 4:32-37](/2_kings/4-32-37 "Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")
* [Acts 9:36-43](/acts/9-36-43 "Peter Raises Dorcas")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Eutychus is a poignant reminder of the human element in our spiritual journeys. It acknowledges that even in the most sacred and spiritually charged environments, human frailty—be it fatigue, distraction, or simply the demands of a long day—can manifest. Eutychus's profound sleep and subsequent fall serve as a stark illustration of the consequences of losing focus, yet the narrative quickly pivots to God's boundless grace and power. For us today, this incident encourages a posture of mindful engagement with God's Word, recognizing its life-giving importance, even when circumstances might tempt us to drift. It also offers immense comfort: even when human weakness leads to dire circumstances, God's compassion and power can intervene miraculously. It challenges us to remain spiritually alert and physically present, yet also reassures us that our God is one who can bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and redemption out of tragedy. The story ultimately points to the extraordinary power of God at work through His people, transforming seemingly hopeless situations into testimonies of His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Eutychus's story reveal about the human condition, even within a spiritual gathering?**
* **How does the detail of Paul's "long preaching" inform our understanding of commitment to God's Word in the early church versus today?**
* **In what ways might we, like Eutychus, be "asleep" or distracted from the spiritual truths being presented to us?**
* **How does this account challenge or affirm your understanding of God's intervention in seemingly ordinary, yet tragic, circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Was Eutychus truly dead, or just unconscious?**

Answer: The biblical text is unambiguous. [Acts 20:9](/acts/20-9 "Eutychus Falls from the Window") explicitly states he "was taken up dead" (Greek: _nekrós_). This word is consistently used in the New Testament to denote actual physical death, as seen in the accounts of Jesus raising Lazarus ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "Jesus Raises Lazarus")) or the widow's son ([Luke 7:14-15](/luke/7-14-15 "Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")). The subsequent verses in [Acts 20:10-12](/acts/20-10-12 "Eutychus is Restored to Life") describe Paul falling on him and embracing him, then declaring, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him." This declaration, combined with the earlier statement of death and the subsequent joy and comfort of the disciples, strongly indicates a genuine resurrection from the dead, not merely a recovery from unconsciousness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic account of Eutychus's fall and subsequent revival in [Acts 20:9-12](/acts/20-9-12 "Eutychus is Raised from the Dead") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul, as an apostle, acts as an instrument of God's power, mirroring the life-giving authority uniquely possessed by Christ. Just as Paul raises Eutychus from the dead, Jesus Himself demonstrated absolute dominion over death, famously declaring, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")). His own resurrection from the grave stands as the supreme victory over death, guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection")). Eutychus's story, therefore, is not merely a historical anecdote, but a powerful prophetic echo of the greater resurrection power of Christ, foreshadowing the ultimate hope of eternal life and the victory over the grave secured by the Lamb of God ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). It reminds us that the power at work through Paul was ultimately derived from the resurrected Christ, who alone holds the keys of death and Hades.

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 13:36

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Matthew 26:40

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.

Jonah 1:5

Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Jonah 1:6

So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Mark 9:26

And [the spirit] cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

Acts 14:19

¶ And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead.