“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)
The Youth of Troas
Eutychus was a young man (Greek: neanias) in the city of Troas who attended a late-night gathering of believers to hear the Apostle Paul speak. His name, which means “Fortunate” or “Lucky,” would prove to be remarkably prophetic by the end of the evening.
The setting was a crowded upper chamber on the “first day of the week.” Because Paul was departing the next morning, his discourse continued until midnight. The combination of the late hour, the heat from many “lights” (lamps), and the length of the sermon caused Eutychus to succumb to a “deep sleep” while sitting in an open window.
The Fatal Fall and the Miracle
Tragedy struck when Eutychus fell from the third story. The physician Luke, the author of Acts, provides a clinical diagnosis: he was “taken up dead.” This was not a mere fainting spell; the fall was fatal.
In a scene reminiscent of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, Paul went down, fell on the young man, and embraced him, saying, “Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him” (Acts 20:10). The life of Eutychus was restored through the power of God, and the congregation was “not a little comforted.”
The Aftermath: Fellowship and Food
One of the most striking details of the story is what happened after the miracle. Paul did not stop the service; rather, they went back upstairs, broke bread, and Paul continued talking until break of day. Eutychus, now restored, presumably joined them in this final meal and exhortation.
The Theological Significance
Eutychus represents the “Mercy of the Master” toward human weakness. His story offers several insights for the student of the Word:
- Human Frailty vs. Spiritual Hunger: Eutychus was present and listening, but his physical body failed him. The Bible records this without a harsh rebuke of the young man, highlighting God’s grace toward our physical limitations.
- The Authentication of the Message: The miracle served as a powerful “seal” on Paul’s long preaching. It demonstrated that the Gospel Paul preached was a message of life that triumphs over death.
- The Importance of the “First Day”: This account is one of the primary New Testament evidences for the early church meeting on Sunday (“the first day of the week”) for the breaking of bread and the teaching of the Word.
Summary
Eutychus is more than a cautionary tale for those who sleep in church; he is a trophy of God’s power. His death turned into a “fortunate” occasion that strengthened the faith of the believers in Troas and provided an enduring testimony that the God of Paul is the God of the living.