Acts 20 12

Acts 20:12 kjv

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

Acts 20:12 nkjv

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

Acts 20:12 niv

The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Acts 20:12 esv

And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

Acts 20:12 nlt

Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 12 Meaning

The verse describes a group of people who "took [their] bedding" and went into the house, indicating preparation for rest or departure. In the context of Acts chapter 20, this refers to Eutychus, a young man who fell asleep during Paul's lengthy sermon and subsequently fell from a window, was believed to be dead, but was then restored to life.

Acts 20 12 Context

The incident in Acts 20:12 occurs in Troas. Paul was spending a week there, and on the first day of the week, the believers gathered to break bread. Paul preached a long sermon that continued until midnight. Eutychus, a young man sitting in a window, fell asleep from the prolonged preaching and tumbled from the third story. He was picked up, apparently dead. Paul went down, embraced the young man, and assured them not to be alarmed, for he was alive. This event is placed within Paul's journey to Jerusalem, on his final missionary trip recorded in Acts. The broader context of Acts is the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, empowered by the Holy Spirit and guided by the apostles.

Acts 20 12 Word Analysis

• οὖν (oun): "Therefore," "then." A conjunctive particle indicating a consequence or result, linking the events described to what has just happened.
• τὸν (ton): "The." Definite article, masculine singular accusative.
• δὲ (de): "But," "and." A conjunction that can introduce a contrast or a continuation, here acting more as a simple connective.
• παιδίον (paidion): "Child," "young boy." Refers to Eutychus, emphasizing his youth and possibly his vulnerability.
• ἀνεκομίσθη (anekomisthe): "Was carried up," "was brought up." Passive voice, imperfect tense of ἀνακομίζω (anekomizō). This suggests he was lifted or brought back to where the gathering was, indicating he was moved after his fall.
• ζῶν (zōn): "Living," "alive." Present participle of ζάω (zaō). This crucial word confirms his resuscitation; he was no longer considered dead.
• οὐκ (ouk): "Not." Negation.
• ὀλίγον (oligon): "A little," "a short time." Here modifying "console."
• ἐτέρῳ (eterō): "Another." Dative case of ἄλλος (allos), "other."
• παρακαλεσάμενοι (parakalesamenoi): "Having been comforted," "having been encouraged." Perfect passive participle of παρακαλέω (parakaleō). After the miraculous healing and assurance, the people present received comfort and encouragement.

Word Group Analysis:

• τὸν δὲ παιδίον ἀνεκομίσθη ζῶν: This phrase highlights the miraculous nature of Eutychus's return. The young boy "was brought up alive," emphasizing the divine intervention that reversed his apparent death. It moves beyond just recovery to a clear demonstration of life being restored.
• καὶ παρεκάλεσάμενοι ὀλίγον ἐτέρῳ: This part describes the reaction of those present. "And having been comforted for a little while" indicates the immediate emotional and spiritual uplift experienced by the community after witnessing the resurrection and Paul's continued ministry among them. The phrase "a little while" suggests the comfort was temporary before Paul’s departure, or simply refers to the interval before further activity.

Acts 20 12 Bonus Section

The detailed account of Eutychus’s death and resurrection in Acts 20:7-12 is one of the few explicit instances of resurrection performed by an apostle other than Peter and Paul themselves earlier in the book. This miracle was a public affirmation of God's presence and power among the early church. The endurance required for Paul’s extended teaching, even into the night, is also a notable aspect, highlighting the fervent hunger for spiritual truth among these early believers, despite the physical demands. The "breaking of bread" on the first day of the week (Sunday) confirms the early Christian practice of communal worship on the Lord's Day. The sequence of events – extended preaching, accidental death, miraculous revival, shared meal, and further preaching – paints a vivid picture of dynamic apostolic ministry in action, full of both spiritual substance and supernatural demonstrations.

Acts 20 12 Commentary

This verse recounts the miraculous restoration of Eutychus, who had fallen from a window during Paul’s lengthy discourse and was presumed dead. Paul's personal intervention, embracing the young man and proclaiming he was alive, demonstrates God's power working through His apostle. The reassurance given ("Do not be alarmed") addresses the understandable shock and grief of the community. The subsequent comforting and taking of food symbolize the peace and restored fellowship that followed this powerful sign. The entire event underscores the potency of God's word and the power of prayer, which could even overcome death in this instance, echoing numerous miracles of resurrection throughout Scripture. This event also served to affirm Paul's apostolic authority and the divine affirmation of his ministry to the believers in Troas.