King James Version

What Does Acts 20:9 Mean?

Acts 20:9 in the King James Version says “And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preac... — study this verse from Acts chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 20:9 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

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.

10

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

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Eutychus 'fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead' - Luke's medical assessment confirmed death. 'Being fallen into a deep sleep as Paul was long preaching' combined exhaustion with extended sermon. Human frailty and divine power intersect in this narrative.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Third-story falls were typically fatal. Luke's professional assessment 'was taken up dead' establishes the miracle's reality when Paul raised him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this incident teach about human limitations in worship?
  2. What does Luke's medical assessment add to understanding the miracle?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καθήμενος1 of 29

there sat

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

δέ2 of 29

And

G1161

but, and, etc

τις3 of 29

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

νεανίας4 of 29

young man

G3494

a youth (up to about forty years)

ὀνόματι5 of 29

named

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

Εὔτυχος6 of 29

Eutychus

G2161

well- fated, i.e., fortunate; eutychus, a young man

ἐπὶ7 of 29

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυρίδος9 of 29

a window

G2376

an aperture, i.e., window

κατενεχθεὶς10 of 29

being fallen

G2702

to bear down, i.e., (figuratively) overcome (with drowsiness); specially, to cast a vote

ὕπνου11 of 29

sleep

G5258

sleep, i.e., (figuratively) spiritual torpor

βαθεῖ12 of 29

into a deep

G901

profound (as going down), literally or figuratively

διαλεγομένου13 of 29

preaching

G1256

to say thoroughly, i.e., discuss (in argument or exhortation)

τοῦ14 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παύλου15 of 29

and as Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἐπὶ16 of 29

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πλεῖον17 of 29
G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

κατενεχθεὶς18 of 29

being fallen

G2702

to bear down, i.e., (figuratively) overcome (with drowsiness); specially, to cast a vote

ἀπὸ19 of 29

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ20 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὕπνου21 of 29

sleep

G5258

sleep, i.e., (figuratively) spiritual torpor

ἔπεσεν22 of 29
G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἀπὸ23 of 29

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ24 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τριστέγου25 of 29

the third loft

G5152

a third roof (story)

κάτω26 of 29

and fell down

G2736

downwards

καὶ27 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤρθη28 of 29

was taken up

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

νεκρός29 of 29

dead

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 20:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 20:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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