Acts 20:9
What does Acts 20:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:9 means
Eutychus, a young man perched in a window, succumbs to deep sleep under the long discourse. He falls from the third story and is taken up dead. The verse is stark and honest about human limitations in the midst of genuine devotion. Even in such a spiritual setting, accidents happen. The church is reminded that life is fragile. Yet the scene also creates an opportunity for God to show mercy through His servant. What seems like a tragic end becomes the occasion for a life-restoring act that validates the message and comforts the believers in Troas.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And a certain young man named Eutychus, who was seated in the window, went into a deep sleep; and while Paul went on talking, being overcome by sleep, he had a fall from the third floor, and was taken up dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there was sitting a certain youth, by name Eutychus, upon the window--being borne down by a deep sleep, Paul discoursing long--he having sunk down from the sleep, fell down from the third story, and was lifted up dead.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window, being oppressed with a deep sleep (as Paul was long preaching), by occasion of his sleep fell from the third loft down and was taken up dead.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And a certain youth, by name Eutychus, sitting at the window-opening, overpowered by deep sleep, while Paul discoursed very much at length, having been overpowered by the sleep, fell from the third story down to the bottom, and was taken up dead.
Context
Having established the late-night setting, Luke now reports the calamity that interrupts the meeting. The fall and death of Eutychus frame the miracle that follows (verse 10), echoing Old Testament resuscitations through prophetic embraces and the life-giving power of God. After the restoration, the gathering resumes (verse 11), and the community departs greatly comforted (verse 12). This interlude will conclude before the narrative returns to Paul’s travel plans and, eventually, his farewell to the Ephesian elders.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 9:26
And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead.
- 1 Kings 17:19
And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
- Jonah 1:5
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it unto them. But Jonah was gone down into the innermost parts of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
- Mark 13:36
lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
- Matthew 26:40
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
- Acts 14:19
But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
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