Acts 20:7-16 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The Sign of The Raising of Eutychus: Paul Hurries On (20:7-16).

At this point in the account we are informed of a remarkable confirmation of God's presence with Paul in the raising from the dead of a young man. The significance of this story is threefold. Firstly it provides comfort and consolation both to Paul and his companions, and to the churches who are anxiously watching his progress towards Jerusalem (Acts 20:12). Secondly it is a sign that God is with him in what lies ahead (as are the later parallel events of being saved from snake bite, and the healing of Publius - Acts 28:1-10). Thirdly it is a reminder that they serve the God Who raises men from the dead. We can compare here Acts 9:36-42. Here was living and continuing proof of the power of the resurrection.

Acts 20:7-16

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.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.