Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 20:9
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.
9. And there sat in a [better, the ] window ] The window in that climate was only an opening in the wall, and not as in our country provided with a framework, the bars of which would have prevented the accident which is here described.
a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep ] The last verb signifies borne down, overpowered, and the Rev. Ver. gives “borne down with deep sleep.” He was not a careless hearer, but sleep at the late hour overcame his youthful frame and he could resist it no longer.
and as Paul was long preaching ] Better, “ and as Paul discoursed yet longer ” with Rev. Ver. The comparative degree refers to the expectation or the wearied powers of the young man. The discourse went on longer than he thought it would, or than he could keep awake.
he sunk down with sleep ] The verb is the same as before. Read “ being borne down by his sleep,” as the word is a participle.
and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead ] To join on with the participial sentence preceding, render he fell down from the third story and, &c. The latticework with which such windows were closed in the East would be set wide open to admit the cool air into the crowded room. The lad fell out, and down to the floor of the courtyard. There has been much debate whether the restoration of Eutychus was meant to be described as miraculous; whether, that is, “dead” may not be taken for “in a swoon like death.” But St Luke’s expression (Act 20:12) “They brought him alive” seems to leave no room for question. That life was gone by reason of the fall and was restored by the prayer of the Apostle is the natural reading of the story, which has all the vividness that marks the narrative of an eyewitness.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And there sat in a window – The window was left open, probably to avoid the malice of their enemies, who might be disposed otherwise to charge them with holding their assemblies in darkness for purposes of iniquity. The window was probably a mere opening in the wall to let in light, as glass was not common at that time. As the shutters of the window were not closed, there was nothing to prevent Eutychus from falling down.
The third loft – The third story.
And was taken up dead – Some have supposed that he was merely stunned with the fall, and that he was still alive. But the obvious meaning is, that he was actually killed by the fall, and was miraculously restored to life. This is an instance of sleeping in public worship that has some apology. The late hour of the night, and the length of the services, were the excuse. But, though the thing is often done now, yet how seldom is a sleeper in a church furnished with an excuse for it. No practice is more shameful, disrespectful, and abominable than that so common of sleeping in the house of God.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. There sat in a window] This was probably an opening in the wall, to let in light and air, for there was no glazing at that time; and it is likely that Eutychus fell backward through it, down to the ground, on the outside; there being nothing to prevent his falling out, when he had once lost the power to take care of himself, by getting into a deep sleep.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Preaching; discoursing and arguing; for it does not seem to have been a continued speech, by the word here used.
Fell down from the third loft; this fall is thought by some to have been caused by Satan, (through Gods permission), that he might the more disturb Paul, and hinder, or put an end to, his sermon; which by the ensuing miracle God turned to a quite contrary effect.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. in a“the.”
windowor window seat,or recess.
fell down from the thirdloft“story.”
and was taken up dead“Thewindow projected (according to the side of the room where it wassituated) either over the street or over the interior court; so thatin either case he fell on the hard earth or pavement below.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there sat in a window a certain young man,…. In the upper room, where he placed himself, either for air and refreshment, the chamber being suffocating, through the number of people, and of lights; or for want of room, the place being full:
named Eutychus; a Greek name, which signifies one of good fortune:
being fallen into a deep sleep; which may be accounted for without aggravating the case; as from his youth, he was a young man, and so more subject to sleep, and more easily overcome with it, than persons in years, by reason of the humours of the body which incline to it; and also from the length of service, and the lateness of the season of the night, all which contributed to bring on this deep sleep: it can hardly be thought that he purposely composed himself to sleep, for had he, he would never have chose so dangerous a place to sit in as a window, and that at so great an height from the ground; but this sleep seemed to come upon him at an unawares; what hand soever Satan might have in it, with a view to the young man’s hurt, both as to soul and body, and to bring reproach and scandal upon the church, and the Gospel, it seems evident that the providence of God was in it, and which overruled it for a good end, even the greater confirmation of the Gospel, and very probably for the spiritual good of the young man.
And as Paul was long preaching he sunk down with sleep; being quite overcome, and bore down with it, not able to hold up his head, he either bowed down, or leaned backwards: and fell down from the third loft: or three story high, where the upper room was. It seems that he did not fall inward, for then he would have fallen no further than the floor of the upper room, but outward, out of the window into the street or yard; and this is the more evident from Paul’s going down to him, mentioned in the next verse:
and was taken up dead; not only for dead, or as one dead, but he really was dead, as it is no wonder he should.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Sat (). Sitting (present middle participle describing his posture).
In the window ( ). Old word diminutive from , 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 () the window sill. Ahaziah “fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber” (2Ki 1:2). In the N.T. only here and 2Co 11:33 ( ) through which Paul was let down through the wall in Damascus.
Borne down with deep sleep ( ). Present passive participle of , to bear down, and followed by instrumental case (). Describes the gradual process of going into deep sleep. Great medical writers use with as we do today (deep sleep). D here has (heavy) for (deep).
As Paul discoursed yet longer ( ). Genitive absolute of present middle participle of (cf. verse 7). with . Eutychus struggled bravely to keep awake, vainly hoping that Paul would finish. But he went on “for more.”
Being born down by his sleep ( ). First aorist (effective) passive showing the final result of the process described by , finally overcome as a result of () the (note article ) sleep (ablative case). These four participles (, , , ) have no connectives, but are distinguished clearly by case and tense. The difference between the present and the aorist of the same verb is marked.
Fell down ( ). Effective aorist active indicative of with the adverb , though (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. Lu 22:45.
From the third story ( ). From (three) and (roof), adjective having three roofs.
Was taken up dead ( ). First aorist passive indicative of . Luke does not say (as) or (Mr 9:26 as if). The people considered him dead and Luke the physician seems to agree with that view.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The window. See on ch. Act 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.
Fallen into a deep sleep [ ] . Lit., born down by, etc. A common Greek phrase for being over come 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 corning 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 Luk 22:45.
Dead [] . Actually dead. Not as dead, or for dead.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And there sat in a window,” (kathezomenos de epi tes thuridos) “Then there sat upon the window sill,” of an open window, indicating that the building was crowded- -There were then no glass windows. The lattice or shutter of wood had perhaps been opened for ventilation, probably from overcrowding of the room and heat from the lamps.
2) “A certain young man named Eutychus,” (tis neanias onomati Eutuchos) “A certain young man known by the name Eutychus,” perhaps an household servant, though there is no further information given about him. He could have been the keeper of the lights, sitting nearby in the upper chamber, servicing, looking after them, when he collapsed in sleep, and fell from this third floor of the church assembly, Act 20:8.
3) “Being fallen into a deep sleep “ (katapheromenos hupno bathei) “Being overborne (overtaken gently, like a ferry boat) by a deep sleep,” becoming oppressed or borne down with sleep! He was blessed by hearing Paul, unfortunate in falling asleep, but also blessed in being restored to life by Paul.
4) “And as Paul was long preaching “ (dialegomenou tou Paulou epi pleion) “While Paul lectured over a long period of time,” into the midnight hours, lasting from 9 to 12 p.m. based on Hebrew reckoning of time — It was a marathon message, sermon, or address.
5) “He sunk down with sleep,” (katenechtheis apo tou hupnou) “And having been overborne from the sleep,” collapsing with sleep, that overcame him, so that he was beyond a conscious muscular reflex state
6) “And fell down from the third loft,” (epesin apo tou tristegou kato) “He fell down from the third floor,” level of the building, perhaps the top level of the upper chamber, where the many lights, with their heat, were located, Act 20:8.
7) “And was taken up dead.” (kai erthe nekros) “And he was taken up (picked or lifted up) as a dead corpse,” with vital life signs all gone, he was taken up for dead.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
9. When he was fallen into a deep sleep. I see no cause why some interpreters should so sore and sharply condemn the drowsiness of the young man, that they should say that he was punished for his sluggishness by death. For what marvel is it, if, seeing the night was so far spent, having striven so long with sleep, he yielded at length? And whereas, against his will, and otherwise than he hoped for, he was taken and overcome with deep sleep, we may guess by this that he did not settle himself to sleep. To seek out a fit place wherein to sleep had been a sign of sluggishness, but to be overcome with sleep, sitting at a window, what other thing is it but without fault to yield to nature? − (404) As if a man should faint through hunger or too much wearisomeness. Those who being drowned in earthly cares come unto the word loathsomely; those who being full of meat and wine are thereby brought on [to] sleep; those who are vigilant enough in other matters, but hear the word as though they did not pass [care] for it, shall be justly condemned for drowsiness; but Luke doth in plain words acquit Eutychus, when he saith that he fell down, being overcome with deep sleep after midnight. −
Moreover, the Lord meant not only by the sleep, but also by the death of this young man to awake and stir up the faith of his, that they might more joyfully receive Paul’s doctrine, and might keep it deeply rooted in their minds. It was, indeed, at the first no small temptation, but such as might have shaken even a most constant man full sore; for who would have thought that Christ had been chief governor in that company wherein a miserable man through a fall became dead? Who would not rather have thought this to be a sign of God’s curse? But the Lord, by applying a remedy, doth forthwith rid the minds of his of all perturbation. −
(404) −
“
Naturae infirmitati,” the infirmity of nature.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) There sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus . . .The name, like those of kindred meaning, such as Felix, Felicia, Felicissimus, Syntyche, Epaphroditus, Fortunatus, Faustus, Felicitas, was sufficiently common, especially among the freed-man class. In one instance, in an inscription in the Collegio Romano, the two names of Eutychus and Felicia appear as belonging to husband and wife.
And was taken up dead.What follows is obviously related as a miraculous resuscitation; but it may be questioned, looking to St. Pauls words, his life is in him, whether more than apparent death is meant. He was to all appearance deadwould have died but for the prayer of the Apostle; but there had been no fracture of limb or skull, and the cause of death, or of the state that looked like death, was the shock given to the brain and nerves by the violence of the fall.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. In the window On the window-sill, projecting out like a balcony; and the shutters were probably open to admit air.
Dead Luke means to affirm complete death: for it is the miracle of the matter which forms the whole purpose of his narrating it.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Act 20:9. In a window The word , plainly signifies an open window, with a sort of wooden casement, a little door, which was set open that the room might not be over-heated with so much company and so many lamps. It is well known, that the ancients had not yetglass in their windows; norindeed are the windows glazed at this day in the east and many parts of Europe.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
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.
Ver. 9. Being fallen into a deep sleep ] Woe to many today, when God shall once send out summonses for sleepers.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9. ] Who Eutychus was, is quite uncertain. The occurrence of the name as belonging to slaves and freedmen (Rosenm. and Heinrichs, from inscriptions), determines nothing.
] On the window-seat . The windows in the East were (and are) without glass, and with or without shutters.
.] Wetstein gives many instances of the use of , either absolute, or with , signifying ‘ to be oppressed with, borne down towards, sleep ’. Thus Aristotle, de somn. et vig [103] iii. p. 466. b. 31, ed. Bekk.: , : and Diod. Sic. iii. 57, .
[103] Vig ilius of Thapsus , 484 3
I believe the word is used here and below in the same sense , not, as usually interpreted, here of the effect of sleep, and below of the fall caused by the sleep. It implies that relaxation of the system, and collapse of the muscular power, which is more or less indicated by our expressions ‘ falling asleep,’ ‘ dropping asleep.’ This effect is being produced when the first participle is used, which is therefore imperfect , but as Paul was going on long discoursing, took complete possession of him , and, having been overpowered, entirely relaxed in consequence of the sleep , he fell .
In the here, there is a direct assertion , which can hardly be evaded by explaining it, ‘ was taken up for dead ,’ as De Wette, Olsh.; or by saying that it expresses the judgment of those who took him up , as Meyer. It seems to me, that the supposition of a mere suspended animation is as absurd here as in the miracle of Jairus’s daughter, Luk 8:41-56 . Let us take the narrative as it stands. The youth falls, and is taken up dead: so much is plainly asserted. (First, let it be remembered that Luke, a physician, was present, who could have at once pronounced on the fact.) Paul, not a physician, but as Apostle, gifted, not with medical discernment, but with miraculous power, goes down to him, falls on him and embraces him, a strange proceeding for one bent on discovering suspended animation, but not so for one who bore in mind the action of Elijah ( 1Ki 17:21 ) and Elisha ( 2Ki 4:34 ), each time over a dead body , and having done this, not before , bids them not to be troubled, for his life was in him . I would ask any unbiassed reader, taking these details into consideration, which of the two is the natural interpretation, and whether there can be any reasonable doubt that the intent of Luke is to relate a miracle of raising the dead , and that he mentions the falling on and embracing him as the outward significant means taken by the Apostle to that end?
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 20:9 . : we are not old what position he occupied, but there is no hint that he was a servant. .: on the window sill there were no windows of glass, and the lattice or door was open probably on account of the heat from the lamps, and from the number present the fact that Eutychus thus sat at the window points to the crowded nature of the assembly, cf. 2Ki 1:2 , where a different word is used in LXX, although is also frequently found. . . .: the two participles are to be carefully distinguished (but R.V. does not); “who was gradually oppressed,” or “becoming oppressed with sleep,” present participle; “being borne down by his sleep,” i.e. , overcome by it, aorist. Rendall takes with (so W.H [333] margin), “and being still more overcome with the sleep,” but the words are usually taken with . See Bengel, Nsgen, Alford, Holtzmann, Weiss, Ramsay, Page on the force of the participles: “sedentem somnus occupavit somno oppressus cecidit,” Bengel. : used only in Luke in N.T., and in no corresponding sense in LXX; a medical term, and so much so that it was used more frequently absolutely than with in medical writings, and the two participles thus expressing the different stages of sleep would be quite natural in a medical writer. : one of the epithets joined with by the medical writers, see Hobart, pp. 48, 49, and his remarks on Luk 22:45 , p. 84. The verb is also used in the same sense by other writers as by Aristotle, Josephus, see instances in Wetstein, but Zahn reckons the whole phrase as medical, Einleitung , ii., p. 436. : the words positively assert that Eutychus was dead they are not , cf. Mar 9:26 , and the attempt to show that the words in Act 20:10 , “his life is in him,” indicate apparent death, or that life is still thought of as not having left him (so apparently even Zckler, whilst he strongly maintains the force of the preceding words), cannot be called satisfactory; see on the other hand Ramsay, St. Paul , pp. 290, 291, and Wendt, in loco.
[333] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
sat = was sitting.
a = the.
window. Greek. thuris. Only here and 2Co 11:33. It was an opening with
young man. Greek. neanias. See note on Act 7:58.
named = by name.
being fallen = being borne down. Greek. kataphero. Only in this verse and Act 26:10. “Sunk down” is the same word.
into = by (dat.)
long. Literally for (Greek. epi.) more (than usual).
third loft = third storey. Greek. tristegon. Only here.
dead = a corpse. App-139. Greek. nekros.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] Who Eutychus was, is quite uncertain. The occurrence of the name as belonging to slaves and freedmen (Rosenm. and Heinrichs, from inscriptions), determines nothing.
] On the window-seat. The windows in the East were (and are) without glass, and with or without shutters.
.] Wetstein gives many instances of the use of , either absolute, or with , signifying to be oppressed with, borne down towards, sleep. Thus Aristotle, de somn. et vig[103] iii. p. 466. b. 31, ed. Bekk.: , : and Diod. Sic. iii. 57, .
[103] Vigilius of Thapsus, 4843
I believe the word is used here and below in the same sense, not, as usually interpreted, here of the effect of sleep, and below of the fall caused by the sleep. It implies that relaxation of the system, and collapse of the muscular power, which is more or less indicated by our expressions falling asleep, dropping asleep. This effect is being produced when the first participle is used, which is therefore imperfect,-but as Paul was going on long discoursing, took complete possession of him, and, having been overpowered,-entirely relaxed in consequence of the sleep, he fell.
In the here, there is a direct assertion, which can hardly be evaded by explaining it, was taken up for dead, as De Wette, Olsh.;-or by saying that it expresses the judgment of those who took him up, as Meyer. It seems to me, that the supposition of a mere suspended animation is as absurd here as in the miracle of Jairuss daughter, Luk 8:41-56. Let us take the narrative as it stands. The youth falls, and is taken up dead: so much is plainly asserted. (First, let it be remembered that Luke, a physician, was present, who could have at once pronounced on the fact.) Paul, not a physician, but as Apostle,-gifted, not with medical discernment, but with miraculous power, goes down to him, falls on him and embraces him,-a strange proceeding for one bent on discovering suspended animation, but not so for one who bore in mind the action of Elijah (1Ki 17:21) and Elisha (2Ki 4:34), each time over a dead body,-and having done this, not before, bids them not to be troubled, for his life was in him. I would ask any unbiassed reader, taking these details into consideration, which of the two is the natural interpretation,-and whether there can be any reasonable doubt that the intent of Luke is to relate a miracle of raising the dead, and that he mentions the falling on and embracing him as the outward significant means taken by the Apostle to that end?
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 20:9. ) in Act 20:12.- ) One and same participle, but in a different tense: although even the theme expresses more than . Sleep surprised (came unawares on) him whilst sitting: being sunk down with sleep, he fell.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
being: Jon 1:5, Jon 1:6, Mat 26:40, Mat 26:41, Mar 13:36
the third: 1Ki 17:19
and was: Act 14:19, Mar 9:26
Reciprocal: Gen 15:12 – deep 2Ki 1:2 – a lattice Mat 26:43 – for Joh 11:44 – he that Act 2:40 – with Act 14:20 – as Act 20:7 – and continued Act 20:11 – even Act 28:23 – from
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
EUTYCHUS
There sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep.
Act 20:9
The point of the story for us is not that Eutychus slept, but that Eutychus was there. He had come to Christian worship early in the morning: he had done a hard days work: but he had come again at night to join in Christian worship. He had fallen asleep, because the room was too hot and crowded, because he was tired out, because, if you will, he did not care much for, or could not listen much to, sermons even from St. Paul. But he had come.
I. The sleepiness of Eutychus puts many a wakeful man and woman to shame.In those days, for the majority of the Christian converts, who held subordinate positions and were not their own masters, the Lords Day must have been, not a day of rest, but a day of work, yet it was made also a day of worship. If the body had to be given to man, the soul was given to God. Now it is a day of restis it also a day of worship? Does Eutychus to-day, who has little to do, or his master, who has nothing, desire to worship God, his Father and his Saviour, as Eutychus of old did?
II. The comparison has only to be suggested and the contrast is plain.It is obvious that what the necessities of work in the first century could not doviz. override the greater necessities of worshipthe exigencies of rest in the twentieth century are threatening to do. Nay more, rest, never more needful and salutary than it is now, is being driven out by what we call pleasure, but which is frequently not the recreation but the dissipation of our energies, physical, intellectual, and spiritual. The fact suggests the question of fundamental importance to us all; Do we mean our religion, as did those primitive Christians? Is it with us the one thing needful, or is it merely a side issue? Do we look at it as a necessity or a luxury which can be dispensed with in the face of lower but more urgent claims? Have the old heroisms become impossible? Are we the stuff of which the martyrs are made?
III. Primitive worship was as to externals poor, bare, uncomfortable; without any subsidiary aids to devotion; an ordinary, secular chamber for its church. Yet the gathering is alive with the magnetic vitality of the speaker; it is moved and cheered by the consciousness of the Divine presence, according to the Divine promise. It is a picture for admiration and imitation, not with servile literalness, but in spirit and in ideal truth. It is useless to reproduce the externals without the invisible presence and power which transfigured them. The power of the early Church did not lie in the fact that they worshipped in upper rooms, but in the fact that they worshipped in spirit and in truth.
Rev. F. Ealand.
Illustration
The place was Troas, a city on the coast of Asia Minor. Romans had always cherished a warm feeling towards it because of their Trojan origin, a legend in which they had come to believe thoroughly. In fact, owing to the greatness of Troas and its legendary connection with the foundations of Rome, Julius Csar had actually entertained the idea of transferring thither the centre of government from Rome. Gibbon also tells us that some three hundred years later the Emperor Constantine, before he gave a just preference to Byzantium, had conceived the design of erecting the seat of empire on this celebrated spot from which the Romans derived their fabulous origin. It was of considerable commercial importance, as the port was the chief means of communication between Europe and Asia.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
9
Act 20:9. This verse is a simple statement of an event not especially important in itself, but furnishing an opportunity for Paul to work a miracle. The inspired writer is the one who says that the young man was taken up dead, so that it was not just the im-gination of an excited crowd.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 20:9. 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. The place was an upper room, with a recess or balcony projecting over the street or the court. The night was dark: three weeks had not elapsed since the Passover, and the moon only appeared as a faint crescent in the early part of the night. Many lamps were burning in the room where the congregation was assembled. The place was hot and crowded. St. Paul, with the feeling strongly impressed upon his mind that the next day was the day of his departure, and that souls might be lost by delay, was continuing in earnest discourse, and prolonging it even till midnight, when an occurrence suddenly took place which filled the assembly with alarm, though it was afterwards converted into an occasion of joy and thanksgiving. A young listener, whose name was Eutychus, was overcome by exhaustion, heat, and weariness, and sank into a deep slumber. He was seated or leaning in the balcony, and falling down in his sleep, was dashed upon the pavement below, and was taken up dead (Conybeare and Howson, St. Paul). It should be remembered that in the East the windows, which were usually closed only by lattice-work, are large, and mostly reach down to the floor, resembling rather a door than a window. This window was, doubtless on account of the heat, wide open. In the high, narrow streets of eastern towns, the upper storey is often used for social purposes, partly as removed from the noise of the street, partly as being more open to the air. Nothing further is known of this Eutychus; the name was by no means an uncommon one.
And was taken up dead. The words here are perfectly plain, and positively do not admit of any watering down. The facts related are perfectly simple, and admit of no explanation but one.The young man fell from the great height of a third storey on to the hard ground, or more probably pavement, below, and was killed by the fall. The words of the apostle in the next (10th) verse, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him, may well be compared to the words of Pauls Master, when He raised from the dead the little daughter of Jairus, of whose death no expositor has ever doubted: Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth (Luk 8:52). To the Lord her death, though real, was yet but as a sleep, out of which He was come to awaken her; and the servant, in this case, was conscious of possessing for a moment the same strange power which belonged to his Divine Master.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 8