Acts 20 8

Acts 20:8 kjv

And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

Acts 20:8 nkjv

There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.

Acts 20:8 niv

There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.

Acts 20:8 esv

There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.

Acts 20:8 nlt

The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 8 Meaning

Acts 20:8 describes the physical setting of an early Christian gathering in Troas. It specifies that the "upper room" where the believers, including the apostle Paul and Luke, were assembled was illuminated by "many lamps." This detail is not merely decorative but sets the scene for the events that follow, hinting at the conditions within the room during a protracted night meeting—likely warm, possibly stuffy, and very well lit. It signifies the fervent nature of the gathering, extending well into the night for the purpose of teaching and fellowship, making a significant impact on the narrative to follow.

Acts 20 8 Context

Acts 20:8 occurs within the account of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically during his farewell visit to Troas on his way to Jerusalem. Verse 7 establishes that this meeting took place "on the first day of the week," an early indication of Sunday worship for believers, and continued until "midnight." Paul, knowing it might be his last opportunity to teach them, was delivering an extended sermon. The detail of "many lamps" (verse 8) thus provides crucial atmospheric context for the subsequent events in verses 9-12, where Eutychus falls asleep and tumbles from a third-story window. Historically, "upper rooms" (ὑπερῴῳ - hyperōō) were common gathering places for early Christians, often in larger homes, providing privacy and space. Ancient lamps typically burned olive oil, producing heat and smoke, which, combined with many people, could make a room stuffy and induce drowsiness, making the Eutychus incident understandable from a purely human perspective.

Acts 20 8 Word analysis

• ἦσαν (ēsan) δὲ (de) φῶτα (phōta): "There were... and... lights/lamps."
  • ἦσαν (ēsan): Imperfect tense of "to be," describing a continuous or ongoing state. It sets the scene, indicating these lamps were present throughout the long meeting.
  • δὲ (de): A connecting particle, often translated "and" or "but." Here it smoothly links the previous verse's description of Paul's long sermon to this environmental detail.
  • φῶτα (phōta): Plural of φῶς (phōs), meaning "light" or "lamp." In ancient Greek, these were typically clay lamps fueled by olive oil. The plural suggests more than just adequate lighting; it implies abundance.
• ἱκανὰ (hikana): "many," "sufficient," "a considerable number."
  • This adjective modifies "lamps." It goes beyond simply stating "there were lamps" to specify "many" or "sufficient" ones. This detail indicates significant illumination for a large assembly late into the night. It also implicitly points to the byproducts of many lamps: heat, smoke, and diminished air quality, which likely contributed to the stuffy environment that preceded Eutychus's fall.
• ἐν τῷ (en tō) ὑπερῴῳ (hyperōō): "in the upper room."
  • ὑπερῴῳ (hyperōō): Refers to the "upper story" or "upper room" of a house. This was a common and significant meeting place in the early church. It offered a degree of privacy, separation from street noise, and often more space than lower rooms. It has historical significance in the New Testament as the location for the Last Supper, Pentecost, and early apostolic meetings (Acts 1:13).
• οὗ (hou) ἦμεν (ēmen) συνηγμένοι (synēgmenoi): "where we were gathered together."
  • οὗ (hou): Relative adverb meaning "where," indicating location.
  • ἦμεν (ēmen): Imperfect tense of "to be," "we were." The use of "we" (the "we-sections" of Acts) signifies Luke's personal presence as an eyewitness to the event, lending historical weight to the narrative.
  • συνηγμένοι (synēgmenoi): Perfect passive participle from συναγω (synagō), "to gather." This describes a state of being "having been gathered" or "assembled." It emphasizes that the congregation had purposely come together, signifying the importance of their fellowship and devotion to Paul's teaching, even at a late hour.

• "many lamps" (φῶτα ἱκανὰ): This phrase suggests more than practical illumination. The sheer number of lamps would produce a considerable amount of heat and smoke in an enclosed space. This physical atmosphere (warm, stuffy, potentially low on fresh air) creates a realistic setting that plausibly contributed to someone falling asleep, thus foreshadowing the incident with Eutychus. The presence of many lamps also visually contrasts with the spiritual "light" being taught by Paul.
• "in the upper room" (ἐν τῷ ὑπερῴῳ): This highlights a typical setting for early Christian meetings. Upper rooms were often chosen for privacy, larger space, and perhaps for spiritual significance, as many pivotal New Testament events (Last Supper, Pentecost) also occurred in an upper room. It reinforces the image of a committed, somewhat intimate gathering of believers.
• "where we were gathered together" (οὗ ἦμεν συνηγμένοι): The inclusion of "we" is significant. It indicates Luke's direct presence and eyewitness account, strengthening the historical veracity of the narrative. It underscores the communal aspect of early Christian worship—they were intentionally assembled.

Acts 20 8 Bonus section

• Luke's Detail: This verse is a classic example of Luke's precise, almost journalistic attention to detail. As a companion to Paul and likely a trained physician, he notices and records practical elements like the lighting and setting, which add depth and realism to his historical account. These "minor" details are crucial for understanding the larger narrative context and character motivations.
• Foreshadowing and Verisimilitude: The seemingly incidental detail of "many lamps" provides strong verisimilitude (the appearance of being true or real) to the story of Eutychus falling asleep. It creates a credible explanation for the atmosphere and conditions that could lead to such an event, grounding the miracle that follows in a tangible, relatable context.
• Symbolic Contrast: While the verse literally describes physical lamps, it can stand in indirect contrast to the "light of the gospel" that Paul was earnestly proclaiming. The temporary, human-made light of the lamps illuminated the physical space, while the enduring spiritual light of Christ illuminated the hearts of those gathered, preparing them for his continued ministry and ultimate departure.
• The "We-Sections": The phrase "where we were gathered" confirms Luke's presence at Troas during this specific event, a feature found throughout Acts known as the "we-sections," which strengthens the narrative's eyewitness authority and reliability.

Acts 20 8 Commentary

Acts 20:8, though seemingly a simple descriptive clause, serves a crucial narrative function by meticulously painting the scene for the drama that unfolds. The mention of "many lamps" provides essential environmental context, detailing the actual physical conditions within the upper room. This intense illumination, common for late-night gatherings in an era without electricity, simultaneously signifies the earnestness and duration of the believers' spiritual engagement with Paul's prolonged teaching, yet it also indirectly hints at the practical drawbacks—heat, smoke, and stuffiness—that might have contributed to Eutychus's deep slumber. Luke, the skilled physician and historian, records this detail, underscoring both the vibrancy of early church gatherings and the human realities they faced, ultimately highlighting the power of God to work even amidst ordinary human frailty and physical circumstances. It teaches us that fervent spiritual activity can coexist with and even overcome mundane physical limitations through divine intervention.