Encouragement, Travel, and a Miracle in the Night (Acts 20:1–12)
After facing trouble and a big riot in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul continued his journey, encouraging believers wherever he went. In Acts 20:1–12, we see his heart for the churches, his determination to strengthen others, and an incredible miracle that took place during a long night of teaching.
Let’s walk through what happened.
Paul Encourages the Believers
After the riot calmed down, Paul gathered the believers in Ephesus. He spoke with them, encouraging them, and then said goodbye. He continued traveling through Macedonia, where he encouraged the churches along the way.
Eventually, Paul arrived in Greece, where he stayed for three months. He was planning to sail to Syria, but when he learned that some people were plotting to harm him, he changed his plans and decided to travel back through Macedonia instead.
Several of his companions traveled with him, including men from different cities—proof that the gospel was spreading far and wide. They all met up in a city called Troas.
A Long Night in Troas
In Troas, Paul stayed for seven days, and on the last night, something unusual happened.
The believers gathered together in an upstairs room to break bread (share a meal and take communion), and Paul started speaking. Because he was leaving the next day, he had a lot to say—and he spoke late into the night.
There was a young man named Eutychus sitting in a third-story window. As Paul kept talking, Eutychus got sleepy, and eventually, he fell asleep and fell out of the window!
When they ran down to him, they found that he was dead.
A Miracle in the Middle of the Night
Paul went down to Eutychus, threw his arms around him, and said:
“Don’t worry—he’s alive!”
God had done a miracle. Eutychus came back to life!
After that, everyone went back upstairs, shared a meal, and Paul kept talking until morning. The believers were greatly comforted and encouraged by what had happened.
What We Can Learn from Acts 20:1–12
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Encouragement is powerful
Paul didn’t just preach—he encouraged people. He took time to visit, strengthen, and comfort the churches. We all need encouragement in our walk with God. -
God is always in control—even in surprising moments
Eutychus fell asleep and fell out a window, but God used that moment to show His power. God can bring life even in unexpected situations. -
Don’t underestimate the value of gathering together
The believers in Troas met to break bread and hear from Paul. Even though it was late and they were tired, they made time for fellowship and the Word. -
Miracles still happen
Raising someone from the dead is no small thing! This miracle reminds us that God is the giver of life, and nothing is impossible for Him.
Final Thought:
In this short but powerful story, we see Paul’s heart to build up the church, and we see God’s heart to bring life and hope—even in the middle of the night.
Whether we’re encouraging others, sharing God’s Word, or just trying to stay awake in a long service, let’s remember: God is present, powerful, and always working for our good.
Acts 20:1-12 (WEB)
20:1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. 3 When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. 6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together. 9 A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead. 10 Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”11 When he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed. 12 They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.