Devine Scripture

Acts 20:10

What does Acts 20:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 20:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 20:10 means

Paul hurries down, falls upon Eutychus, and embraces him, declaring, “his life is in him.” This recalls the prophetic gestures of Elijah and Elisha, and ultimately the life-giving authority of the Lord who works through His servants. The embrace conveys compassion and identification with the sufferer, while the declaration signals a divine intervention reversing the tragedy. The point is not Paul’s power but God’s mercy shown to the church. The meeting that began with teaching becomes a demonstration of the gospel’s life-restoring reality, reminding the believers that the Lord is present to sustain and to save, even in the face of death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Paul went down and, falling on him, took him in his arms and said, Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Paul, having gone down, fell upon him, and having embraced <FI>him<Fi> , said, `Make no tumult, for his life is in him;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To whom, when Paul had gone down, he laid himself upon him and, embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his soul is in him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Paul descending fell upon him, and enfolding [him] [in his arms], said, Be not troubled, for his life is in him.

Context

The crisis of Eutychus’s fall meets God’s answer through Paul’s action. With life restored, the narrative quickly returns upstairs (verse 11) to continue the fellowship and teaching until daybreak. The community’s comfort in verse 12 confirms the authenticity of the event. This Troas episode will soon give way to renewed travel across the Aegean coast and set the stage for Paul’s deliberate meeting with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, where he will speak about dangers and the Lord’s care for His flock.

v.9And 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.

v.10This passage

v.11And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 9:23

    And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult,

  • 1 Kings 17:21

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

  • Mark 5:39

    And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth.

  • 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 him; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

  • John 11:40

    Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

  • Luke 7:13

    And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 20

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 20.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Acts 20:10.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary