The Meaning of Acts 20:9 Explained

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.

YLT: and 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.

Darby: And 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.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Acts 20:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 20:1-12 - A Messenger Of Truth And Life
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians should be read with the introductory verses of this chapter, as it reveals the Apostle's inner mind at this time. He seems to have been less impressed with the imminent peril from which he had been rescued, and more solicitous as to the condition of the church at Corinth, to which he had addressed his first Epistle during the early days of his Ephesian ministry.
Into how small a compass, Acts 20:3, the evangelist crowds the three months' ministry in Greece, where he visited the scenes of his memorable first journey. In a few lines he enumerates the companions of his return journey, and before we are well aware we are back again in Troas and on our way to Jerusalem.
Notice that reference to the breaking of bread on the first day of the week, Acts 20:7. This proves that the primitive Church was adopting the first day of the week for its characteristic meal; and as the Gentile element became predominant, it is easy to see how gradually and inevitably Sunday superseded Saturday as the rest day. See also Colossians 2:16. It is possible that Eutychus was not already dead, although believed to be so. In that case, Paul's loving embrace and prayer restored him from the swoon that might easily have become death. Can we not imagine the theme of that talk which lasted till dawn! [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 20

1  Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas
7  He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches
9  Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life
13  Paul continues his travels;
17  and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28  commits God's flock to them,
29  warns them of false teachers,
32  commends them to God,
36  prays with them, and departs

Greek Commentary for Acts 20:9

Sat [κατεζομενος]
Sitting (present middle participle describing his posture). [source]
In the window [επι της τυριδος]
Old word diminutive from τυρα — thura door, a little door. Latticed window (no glass) opened because of the heat from the lamps and the crowd. Our window was once spelt windore (Hudibras), perhaps from the wrong idea that it was derived from wind and door. Eutychus (a common slave name) was sitting on In the N.T. τυρις — thuris only here and 2 Corinthians 11:33 Present passive participle of καταπερω — katapherō to bear down, and followed by instrumental case (υπνωι — hupnōi). Describes the gradual process of going into deep sleep. Great medical writers use βατυς — bathus with υπνος — hupnos as we do today (deep sleep). D here has βασει — basei (heavy) for βατει — bathei (deep). As Paul discoursed yet longer Genitive absolute of present middle participle of διαλεγομαι — dialegomai (cf. Acts 20:7). with επι πλειον — epi pleion Eutychus struggled bravely to keep awake, vainly hoping that Paul would finish. But he went on “for more.” Being born down by his sleep (κατενεχτεις απο του υπνου — katenechtheis apo tou hupnou). First aorist (effective) passive showing the final result of the process described by καταπερομενος — katapheromenos finally overcome as a result of (απο — apo) the (note article του — tou) sleep (ablative case). These four participles (κατεζομενοσ καταπερομενοσ διαλεγομενου κατενεχτεις — kathezomenosκαταπερομενος — katapheromenosκατενεχτεις — dialegomenouεπεσεν κατω — katenechtheis) have no connectives, but are distinguished clearly by case and tense. The difference between the present πιπτω — katapheromenos and the aorist κατω — katenechtheis of the same verb is marked. Fell down Effective aorist active indicative of απο του τριστεγου — piptō with the adverb τρεις — katō though στεγη — katapiptō (compound verb) could have been used (Acts 26:14; Acts 28:6). Hobart (Medical Language of St. Luke) thinks that Luke shows a physician‘s interest in the causes of the drowsiness of Eutychus (the heat, the crowd, the smell of the lamps, the late hour, the long discourse). Cf. Luke 22:45. From the third story (τριστεγος — apo tou tristegou). From ηρτη νεκρος — treis (three) and αιρω — stegē (roof), adjective ως — tristegos having three roofs. Was taken up dead First aorist passive indicative of airō Luke does not say hōs (as) or hōsei (Mark 9:26 as if). The people considered him dead and Luke the physician seems to agree with that view. [source]
Borne down with deep sleep [καταπερομενος υπνωι βατει]
Present passive participle of καταπερω — katapherō to bear down, and followed by instrumental case Describes the gradual process of going into deep sleep. Great medical writers use βατυς — bathus with υπνος — hupnos as we do today (deep sleep). D here has βασει — basei (heavy) for βατει — bathei (deep). [source]
As Paul discoursed yet longer [διαλεγομενου του Παυλου επι πλειον]
Genitive absolute of present middle participle of διαλεγομαι — dialegomai (cf. Acts 20:7). with επι πλειον — epi pleion Eutychus struggled bravely to keep awake, vainly hoping that Paul would finish. But he went on “for more.” Being born down by his sleep (κατενεχτεις απο του υπνου — katenechtheis apo tou hupnou). First aorist (effective) passive showing the final result of the process described by καταπερομενος — katapheromenos finally overcome as a result of (απο — apo) the (note article του — tou) sleep (ablative case). These four participles (κατεζομενοσ καταπερομενοσ διαλεγομενου κατενεχτεις — kathezomenosκαταπερομενος — katapheromenosκατενεχτεις — dialegomenouεπεσεν κατω — katenechtheis) have no connectives, but are distinguished clearly by case and tense. The difference between the present πιπτω — katapheromenos and the aorist κατω — katenechtheis of the same verb is marked. Fell down Effective aorist active indicative of απο του τριστεγου — piptō with the adverb τρεις — katō though στεγη — katapiptō (compound verb) could have been used (Acts 26:14; Acts 28:6). Hobart (Medical Language of St. Luke) thinks that Luke shows a physician‘s interest in the causes of the drowsiness of Eutychus (the heat, the crowd, the smell of the lamps, the late hour, the long discourse). Cf. Luke 22:45. From the third story (τριστεγος — apo tou tristegou). From ηρτη νεκρος — treis (three) and αιρω — stegē (roof), adjective ως — tristegos having three roofs. Was taken up dead First aorist passive indicative of airō Luke does not say hōs (as) or hōsei (Mark 9:26 as if). The people considered him dead and Luke the physician seems to agree with that view. [source]
Being born down by his sleep [κατενεχτεις απο του υπνου]
First aorist (effective) passive showing the final result of the process described by καταπερομενος — katapheromenos finally overcome as a result of These four participles (κατεζομενοσ καταπερομενοσ διαλεγομενου κατενεχτεις — kathezomenosκαταπερομενος — katapheromenosκατενεχτεις — dialegomenouεπεσεν κατω — katenechtheis) have no connectives, but are distinguished clearly by case and tense. The difference between the present πιπτω — katapheromenos and the aorist κατω — katenechtheis of the same verb is marked. [source]
Fell down [καταπιπτω]
Effective aorist active indicative of απο του τριστεγου — piptō with the adverb τρεις — katō though στεγη — katapiptō (compound verb) could have been used (Acts 26:14; Acts 28:6). Hobart (Medical Language of St. Luke) thinks that Luke shows a physician‘s interest in the causes of the drowsiness of Eutychus (the heat, the crowd, the smell of the lamps, the late hour, the long discourse). Cf. Luke 22:45. From the third story (τριστεγος — apo tou tristegou). From ηρτη νεκρος — treis (three) and αιρω — stegē (roof), adjective ως — tristegos having three roofs. Was taken up dead First aorist passive indicative of airō Luke does not say hōs (as) or hōsei (Mark 9:26 as if). The people considered him dead and Luke the physician seems to agree with that view. [source]
From the third story [τριστεγος]
From ηρτη νεκρος — treis (three) and αιρω — stegē (roof), adjective ως — tristegos having three roofs. [source]
Was taken up dead [ωσει]
First aorist passive indicative of airō Luke does not say hōs (as) or hōsei (Mark 9:26 as if). The people considered him dead and Luke the physician seems to agree with that view. [source]
The window []
See on Acts 9:25. The windows of an Eastern house are closed with lattice-work, and usually reach down to the floor, resembling a door rather than a window. They open, for the most part, to the court, and not to the street, and are usually kept open on account of the heat. [source]
Fallen into a deep sleep [καταφερόμενος ὕπνῳ βαθεῖ]
Lit., borne down by, etc. A common Greek phrase for being overcome by sleep. In medical language the verb was more frequently used in this sense, absolutely, than with the addition of sleep. In this verse the word is used twice: in the first instance, in the present participle, denoting the coming on of drowsiness - falling asleep; and the second time, in the aorist participle, denoting his being completely overpowered by sleep. Mr. Hobart thinks that the mention of the causes of Eutychus' drowsiness - the heat and smell arising from the numerous lamps, the length of the discourse, and the lateness of the hour - are characteristic of a physician's narrative. Compare Luke 22:45. [source]
Dead [νεκρός]
Actually dead. Not as dead, or for dead. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 20:9

Acts 23:19 Took him by the hand [επιλαβομενος της χειρος αυτου]
Kindly touch in Lysias, ut fiduciam adolescentis confirmaret (Bengel). Note genitive with the second aorist middle (indirect, to himself) of επιλαμβανω — epilambanō as in Luke 8:54 with κρατησας — kratēsas which see. How old the young man (νεανιας — neanias) was we do not know, but it is the very word used of Paul in Acts 7:58 when he helped in the killing of Stephen, a young man in the twenties probably. See also Acts 20:9 of Eutychus. He is termed νεανισκος — neaniskos in Acts 23:22. [source]
Acts 25:7 Which had come down [οι καταβεβηκοτες]
Perfect active participle of καταβαινω — katabainō They had come down on purpose at the invitation of Festus (Acts 25:5), and were now ready. Stood round about him (περιεστησαν αυτον — periestēsan auton). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of περιιστημι — periistēmi old verb, “Took their stand around him,” “periculum intentantes ” (Bengel). Cf. Luke 23:10 about Christ. They have no lawyer this time, but they mass their forces so as to impress Festus. Bringing against him Bearing down on. See note on Acts 20:9; and note on Acts 26:10, only N.T. examples of this ancient verb. Many and grievous charges (πολλα και βαρεα αιτιωματα — polla kai barea aitiōmata). This word αιτιωμα — aitiōma for old form αιτιαμα — aitiama is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) in sense of “blame.” But the charges were no “heavier” than those made by Tertullus (Acts 24:5-8). Paul‘s reply proves this and they were also probably on court record (Furneaux). See this adjective βαρυς — barus (heavy) used with λυκοι — lukoi (wolves) in Acts 20:29. Which they could not prove Imperfect active of ισχυω — ischuō to have strength or power as in Acts 19:16, Acts 19:20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (αποδειχαι — apodeixai first aorist active infinitive of αποδεικνυμι — apodeiknumi to show forth, old verb, in N.T. only here, Acts 2:22 which see and 1 Corinthians 4:9). [source]
Acts 25:7 Bringing against him [καταπεροντες]
Bearing down on. See note on Acts 20:9; and note on Acts 26:10, only N.T. examples of this ancient verb. Many and grievous charges (πολλα και βαρεα αιτιωματα — polla kai barea aitiōmata). This word αιτιωμα — aitiōma for old form αιτιαμα — aitiama is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) in sense of “blame.” But the charges were no “heavier” than those made by Tertullus (Acts 24:5-8). Paul‘s reply proves this and they were also probably on court record (Furneaux). See this adjective βαρυς — barus (heavy) used with λυκοι — lukoi (wolves) in Acts 20:29. Which they could not prove Imperfect active of ισχυω — ischuō to have strength or power as in Acts 19:16, Acts 19:20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (αποδειχαι — apodeixai first aorist active infinitive of αποδεικνυμι — apodeiknumi to show forth, old verb, in N.T. only here, Acts 2:22 which see and 1 Corinthians 4:9). [source]
2 Corinthians 11:33 Through a window [διὰ θυρίδος]
Only here and Acts 20:9. Diminutive of θύρα adoor. The same expression is used in Sept., Joshua 2:15, of the escape of the spies from Jericho, and 1 Samuel 19:12, of David's escape from Saul by the aid of Michal. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:10 Weighty and strong [πησιν]
These adjectives can be uncomplimentary and mean “severe and violent” instead of “impressive and vigorous.” The adjectives bear either sense. His bodily presence (βαρειαι και ισχυραι — hē parousia tou sōmatos). This certainly is uncomplimentary. “The presence of his body.” It seems clear that Paul did not have a commanding appearance like that of Barnabas (Acts 14:12). He had some physical defect of the eyes (Galatians 4:14) and a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). In the second century Acts of Paul and Thecla he is pictured as small, short, bow-legged, with eye-brows knit together, and an aquiline nose. A forgery of the fourth century in the name of Lucian describes Paul as “the bald-headed, hook-nosed Galilean.” However that may be, his accusers sneered at his personal appearance as “weak” (η παρουσια του σωματος — asthenēs). His speech of no account Perfect passive participle of ο λογος εχουτενημενος — exoutheneō to treat as nothing (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:28). The Corinthians (some of them) cared more for the brilliant eloquence of Apollos and did not find Paul a trained rhetorician (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:6). He made different impressions on different people. “Seldom has any one been at once so ardently hated and so passionately loved as St. Paul” (Deissmann, St. Paul, p. 70). “At one time he seemed like a man, and at another he seemed like an angel” (Acts of Paul and Thecla). He spoke like a god at Lystra (Acts 14:8-12), but Eutychus went to sleep on him (Acts 20:9). Evidently Paul winced under this biting criticism of his looks and speech. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:10 His speech of no account [αστενης]
Perfect passive participle of ο λογος εχουτενημενος — exoutheneō to treat as nothing (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:28). The Corinthians (some of them) cared more for the brilliant eloquence of Apollos and did not find Paul a trained rhetorician (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:6). He made different impressions on different people. “Seldom has any one been at once so ardently hated and so passionately loved as St. Paul” (Deissmann, St. Paul, p. 70). “At one time he seemed like a man, and at another he seemed like an angel” (Acts of Paul and Thecla). He spoke like a god at Lystra (Acts 14:8-12), but Eutychus went to sleep on him (Acts 20:9). Evidently Paul winced under this biting criticism of his looks and speech. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:33 Through a window [δια τυριδος]
For this late word see note on Acts 20:9, the only N.T. example. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 20:9 mean?

Was sitting then a certain young man named Eutychus by the window overpowered by sleep deep as talked - Paul on longer having been overpowered by the sleep he fell from the third story down and was picked up dead
καθεζόμενος δέ τις νεανίας ὀνόματι Εὔτυχος ἐπὶ τῆς θυρίδος καταφερόμενος ὕπνῳ βαθεῖ διαλεγομένου τοῦ Παύλου ἐπὶ πλεῖον κατενεχθεὶς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἔπεσεν ἀπὸ τοῦ τριστέγου κάτω καὶ ἤρθη νεκρός

καθεζόμενος  Was  sitting 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καθέζομαι  
Sense: to sit down, seat one’s self, sit.
τις  a  certain 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
νεανίας  young  man 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νεανίας  
Sense: a young man.
ὀνόματι  named 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
Εὔτυχος  Eutychus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Εὔτυχος  
Sense: a youth restored to life by Paul.
θυρίδος  window 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: θυρίς  
Sense: a window.
καταφερόμενος  overpowered 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καταφέρω  
Sense: to bear down, bring down, cast down.
ὕπνῳ  by  sleep 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ὕπνος  
Sense: sleep.
βαθεῖ  deep 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: βαθύς  
Sense: deep.
διαλεγομένου  as  talked 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: διαλέγομαι  
Sense: to think different things with one’s self, mingle thought with thought.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παύλου  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
πλεῖον  longer 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Comparative
Root: πολύς  
Sense: greater in quantity.
κατενεχθεὶς  having  been  overpowered 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καταφέρω  
Sense: to bear down, bring down, cast down.
ὕπνου  sleep 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὕπνος  
Sense: sleep.
ἔπεσεν  he  fell 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πίπτω 
Sense: to descend from a higher place to a lower.
τριστέγου  third  story 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: τρίστεγον  
Sense: having three roofs or stories, the third story.
κάτω  down 
Parse: Adverb
Root: κάτω 
Sense: down, downwards.
ἤρθη  was  picked  up 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: αἴρω  
Sense: to raise up, elevate, lift up.
νεκρός  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.