Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 20:10
And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing [him] said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
10. And Paul fell on him ] The access to Eastern houses was by a staircase on the outside, so that the way down would be at hand. The action of the Apostle recalls that of Elijah (1Ki 17:21) and of Elisha (2Ki 4:34). No doubt the Apostle, like the Old Testament prophets, accompanied his action with a cry unto the Lord.
and embracing him said ] As he clasped the child in his arms, he would feel the returning motion, and know that his prayer was heard. The boy seems to have been left to the care of some members (perhaps women) of the congregation, who tended him till the service was over.
Trouble not yourselves ] The Rev. Ver. gives “Make ye no ado,” evidently conforming to the rendering of this same Greek word in Mar 5:39, but while in English we find “this ado” and “much ado” and “no more ado,” the expression “no ado” seems not to occur. The two open syllables are not agreeable, and that probably caused the combination to be avoided. What the Apostle means is, “Don’t make any tumult or distress yourselves.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And fell on him … – Probably stretching himself on him as Elisha did on the Shunammites son, 2Ki 4:33-35. It was an act of tenderness and compassion, evincing a strong desire to restore him to life.
Trouble not yourselves – They would doubtless be thrown into great consternation by such an event. Paul therefore endeavoured to compose their minds by the assurance that he would live.
For his life is in him – He is restored to life. This has all the appearance of having been a miracle. Life was restored to him as Paul spoke.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. And Paul – fell on him] , Stretched himself upon him, in the same manner as Elisha did on the Shunammite’s son, 2Kg 4:33-35; though the action of lying on him, in order to communicate warmth to the flesh, might not have been continued so long as in the above instance; nor indeed was it necessary, as the natural warmth had not yet left the body of Eutychus; but the son of the Shunammite had been some time dead.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fell on him; as Elijah on the widow of Zarephaths dead son, 1Ki 17:21, and Elisha on the Shunammites son, 2Ki 4:34.
His life is in him; not but that he had been really dead, as Act 19:9, but that upon the apostles prayer (which is to be understood, though it is not here expressed) God had restored the young man to life; or howsoever, because St. Paul knew infallibly he should presently be restored to life, even whilst he spake.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10-12. Paul . . . fell on himlikeElisha (2Ki 4:34).
his life is in himnowrestored; compare Mr 5:39.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Paul went down,…. From the upper room, where they were assembled, into the court, yard, or street, where he fell; or into the lower room of the house, where he was brought when taken up. The apostle might see him fall, or he might be told of it, or he might have an intimation of it from the Spirit of God, by whom he might be impressed to go down, in order to work a miracle, for the confirmation of the Gospel he was preaching:
and fell on him, and embracing him; praying over him, as Elijah and Elisha did, 1Ki 17:21 and the like effect followed:
said, trouble not yourselves; which speech perhaps was addressed to the friends and relations of the young man; or to the disciples present, who were concerned at this accident, both for the young man’s sake, and lest it should be improved to the disadvantage of the Gospel by the enemies of it,
For his life, or “soul”
is in him; it being returned upon the apostle’s falling on him, and praying over him; or he said this as being fully assured that it would return, in like manner as Christ said concerning Jairus’s daughter, Lu 8:52.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fell on him ( ). Second aorist active indicative of with dative case as Elijah did (1Ki 17:21) and Elisha (2Ki 4:34).
Embracing (). Second aorist active participle of , old verb to embrace completely (take hold together round), but only here in the N.T. In Ezr 5:3.
Make ye no ado ( ). Stop ( and present middle imperative of ) making a noise () as the people did on the death of Jairus’s daughter (Mt 9:23 and Mr 5:38 ) when Jesus asked ? For his life is in him ( ). This language is relied on by Ramsay, Wendt, Zoeckler to show that Eutychus had not really died, but had merely swooned. Paul’s language would suit that view, but it suits equally well the idea that he had just been restored to life and so is indecisive. Furneaux urges also the fact that his friends did not bring him back to the meeting till morning (verse 12) as additional evidence that it was a case of swooning rather than of death. But this again is not conclusive as they would naturally not take him back at once. One will believe here as the facts appeal to him.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Fell on him. Compare 1Ki 17:21; 2Ki 4:34.
Trouble not yourselves [ ] . Rev., more correctly, make ye no ado. They were beginning to utter passionate outcries. See Mt 9:23; Mr 5:39.
His life is in him. In the same sense in which Christ said, “The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth” (Luk 8:52).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And Paul went down and fell on him,” (katabas de ho Paulos epepesin auto) “Then descending from the place of his lecture (in the upper room) Paul fell upon him,” where he had been taken up for dead, perhaps from the ground outside the building, or at the foot of the outside staircase, common in Eastern homes.
2) “And embracing him said,” (kai sumperilabon eipen) “And closely embracing him, he said,” holding him very close to him, embracing him, Paul spoke to those crowded around them saying: (as the prophet of old), 2Ki 4:34.
3) “Trouble not yourselves;” (me throubeisthe) “You all do not be terrified,” don’t work yourselves into an emotional state, beyond self-control; Don’t make a lament, a big ado about this, or cause a public disturbance in the community at night-time over this, by loud weeping and wailing of mourners, then common in the East, Mar 5:37-43.
4) “For his life is in him.” (he gar psuche autou en auto estin) “Because his life is (exists) in him,” Similar miraculous restorations of life, or to conscious life, were performed by other men of God in Old and New Testament days, as recounted, 1Ki 17:21-22, as Elijah raised the widow’s son at Zarephath; as Elisha restored life to the son of the Shuamite woman, 2Ki 4:34; 2Ki 4:36, and as Peter had raised Dorcas, also known as Tabitha from the dead, Act 9:39-42. These special miracles and signs were done to attest the Divine ministry of God’s high called servants, that the lost might believe, Joh 20:31; Mar 2:5-11; Heb 2:4.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
10. He lay down upon him. We know that the apostles, in working miracles, did sometimes use certain external rites, whereby they might give the glory to God, the author. And now, whereas Paul doth stretch himself upon the young man, I think it was done to no other end, save only that he might more easily stir up himself unto prayer. It is all one as if he should mix himself with the dead man, − (405) And, peradventure, this was done for the imitation of Elisha, of whom the sacred history doth report the same thing ( 2Kg 4:34). Yet the vehemency of his affection did more move him than the emulation of the prophet. For that stretching of himself upon him doth more provoke him to crave his life with all his heart at the hands of the Lord. So when he embraceth the body of the dead man, by this gesture he declared that he offered it to God to be quickened, and out of the text we may gather that he did not depart from embracing it until he knew that the life was restored again. −
Be ye not troubled. We must note that Paul took great care principally for this cause, lest that sorrowful event should shake the faith of the godly, and should trouble their minds. Nevertheless, the Lord did, as it were, seal up and establish − (406) that last sermon which Paul made at Troas. When he saith that his soul is in him, he doth not deny that he was dead, because by this means he should extinguish the glory of the miracle; but the meaning of these words is, that his life was restored through the grace of God. I do not restrain that which followeth, to wit, that they were greatly comforted through the joy which they had by reason of the young man which was restored to life; but I do also comprehend the confirmation of faith, seeing God gave them such an excellent testimony of his love. −
(405) −
“
Perinde agit, acsi se misceret cum mortuo,” he acts just as if he were mixing himself up with the young man.
(406) −
“
Quasi insculpto sigillo apud eos sancivit,” did sanction to them as with the impress of the seal.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him . . .The act reminds us of those of Elijah (1Ki. 17:21), and Elisha (2Ki. 4:34). The close contact, the clasp of warm affection, gave a new intensity to the prayer of faith, and, as a current of vitality passed, as it were, from the one body to the other, enabled the Apostle to feel that the heart had not ceased to beat, and to give the calming assurance, his life is in him. The whole scene is painted, as before, vividly, as by an eye-witness. We have to think of the cries of alarm, the rush of men down the staircase from the third floor with lamps and torches in their hands, the wail of sorrow on finding what looked like death, the undisturbed calmness of the Apostle, sure that his prayer was answered, and returning quietly, leaving the motionless body in the cool night air, to finish the interrupted discourse.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. Fell on him Paul is now doubtless, conscious of the same miraculous power and impulse as inspired Elijah and Elisha to embrace the dead to redeem them from death, (1Ki 17:21; 2Ki 4:34.)
His life is in him Life or soul. It was not until after Paul’s miraculous embrace that it became true that his life was in him.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, “Make no fuss, for his life is in him.’
But Paul in the quiet confidence of faith went down and stretched himself out on the young man, embracing him, and then declared that the young man was alive. He may have been ‘taken up dead’ but now he was alive again. We can compare Paul’s approach with similar incidents in the lives of Elijah and Elisha who had both behaved in a similar way (1Ki 17:21; 2Ki 4:34). It was a deliberate imitation which confirmed that he saw the young man as really dead. None there failed to recognise that it was a miracle, and Paul’s imitation of Elijah and Elisha would seem to confirm it. Paul’s confidence was similar to that of Jesus when He had said, ‘she is not dead, but sleeps’ over another who was really dead (Luk 8:52). Like his Lord he did not want to make a great fuss over what had happened. This was not denying that a ‘miracle’ had happened but declaring that with God at work, all was well. Where Jesus is present in the midst of death, life comes. The fact that as a result of it the church was ‘not a little comforted’ confirms that they saw it as a miracle, not just as a lucky escape. It was confirmation to all that God was the Lord of both life and death, and that therefore they could safely leave Paul’s future in His hands. The tragedy had become a huge encouragement for the whole church, especially in view of Paul’s quiet assurance which demonstrated that he expected God to do this kind of thing.
‘His life is in him.’ An echo of 1Ki 17:23. Paul is following Elijah’s example. Paul may have been thinking of this incident when he wrote to the Ephesians, ‘Awake you who sleep and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light’ (Eph 5:14).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 20:10. And Paulfell on him, This expression probably signifies that St. Paul threw himself on the body, as Elijah and Elisha did on those whom they intended to raise by the power of God, 1Ki 17:21. 2Ki 4:34. The word , may either signify his embracing him at the same time, or his lifting him up in his arms with the assistance of some who stood near.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
Ver. 10. His life is in him ] After that Paul prayed for him, life returned; or else because he knew it should return, he speaks of it as a done thing.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Act 20:10 . : by the outside staircase common in Eastern houses. ., cf. 1Ki 17:21-22 ; 2Ki 4:34 ; there as here the purport of the act was a restoration to life. .: “make ye no ado,” R.V., cf. Mar 5:39 (Mar 9:23 ), where the word is used of the loud weeping and wailing of the mourners in the East; see above on Act 9:39 . ., see above.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
embracing. Greek. sumperilambano. Only here. Compare 1Ki 17:21. 2Ki 4:34.
Trouble . . . yourselves. Greek. thorubeomai. See Act 17:5.
not. Greek. me. App-105. It was midnight. Any loud outcry would have roused the neighbourhood and caused a scene.
life. Greek. psuche. App-110and App-170.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Act 20:10. , lay on him) Christ did not use this gesture; but Elijah, Elisha, and Paul used it.- , trouble not yourselves) In the case of the greatest matters undue agitation was forbidden: Exo 14:13; 1Ki 6:7; Isa 8:6. The temple was constructed without noise. In time of war, tranquillity was required on the part of the people.- , is in him) Paul speaks in such a way as to remove sudden terror (fright): therefore his words are not to be pressed too closely (strictly). He does not add as yet, nor again; but simply affirms that the youth is alive: just the same as if he had not even fallen. The miracle was evident. Comp. the same mode of speaking in Jesus raising the rulers daughter, The maid is not dead, but sleepeth, Mat 9:24.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
and fell: 1Ki 17:21, 1Ki 17:22, 2Ki 4:34, 2Ki 4:35
Trouble: Mat 9:24, Mar 5:39, Luk 7:13, Joh 11:11, Joh 11:40
Reciprocal: Act 20:1 – embraced Act 20:12 – they
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
0
Act 20:10. It should be observed that Paul said his life is in him after he had embraced him. The act of embracing the young man was when the miracle was performed that brought the life back into his dead body. ( See similar acts in 1Ki 17:21; 2Ki 4:34.)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 20:10. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and, embracing him, said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. The example here of Elijah when he restored to life the dead son of the widow of Zarephath (1Ki 17:21), and of Elisha when he raised from the dead the only child of his kind Shunammite hostess (2Ki 4:34), is here closely imitated by this other favoured servant of the Eternal God. The accurate and vivid picture given us here by the compiler of the Acts, tells us how lasting an impression the whole scene made upon the companion of Paul. Professor Plumptre strikingly calls attention to the unruffled composure of the apostle, sure of his prayer for power to restore life in this instance being granted, contrasted with the hurry and terrified confusion of the dismayed bystanders: The whole scene is painted vividly by an eyewitness. We have to think of the cries of alarm, the rush of men down the staircase from the third floor with lamps and torches in their hands, the wail of sorrow … the undisturbed calmness of the apostle, sure that his prayer was answered.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 8
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
This seems to be a definite instance of Paul raising a dead person back to life similar to what Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus had done (cf. 1Ki 17:21-22; 2Ki 4:34-35; Mat 9:23-25; Mar 5:39). If so, the incident shows the miraculous power of Jesus Christ working through His apostle at this time (Act 1:1-2). (If you are a preacher and have the gift of gab, you may also need the gift of healing!) However many competent exegetes have concluded that Euticus simply swooned and Paul revived him.
"One will believe here as the facts appeal to him." [Note: Robertson, 3:342.]
There are also several similarities between this incident and Peter’s raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) in Act 9:36-42.
"Whereas Peter raises Tabitha by a command, following the pattern of resurrection stories in Luke, Paul ’fell upon (epepesen)’ Eutychus and embraced him and then announced that he was alive (Act 20:10). If there is a healing act here, it is by bodily contact, not by word, and follows the pattern of the Elisha story (2Ki 4:34 = 4 Kgdms. Act 4:34). Peter and Paul are similar in part because they fit a common scriptural type. Through both, the prophetic power of Elijah and Elisha continues to be available to the church." [Note: Tannehill, 2:248.]