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

ACTS 20:12KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 20:12 (KJV)

What does Acts 20:12 mean?

Acts 20:12 describes how the people brought the young man, who had fallen and been presumed dead, back alive, and everyone present was greatly comforted by this outcome. The verse emphasizes the relief and encouragement the group felt after witnessing what could have been a tragedy turn into a moment of joy.

In the setting of Acts 20, Paul is meeting with believers in Troas. Earlier in the chapter, a young man named Eutychus had fallen from a window during Paul's long teaching and was thought to be dead, but Paul assured everyone he was alive. Acts 20:12 records the aftermath, highlighting the group's emotional response and the restoration of the young man to them.

The Greek behind Acts 20:12

  • The word for "comforted" is παρακαλέω (parakaleō), which often means to encourage, console, or cheer up. Here, it shows that the group’s spirits were lifted in a deep and meaningful way, not just a mild relief.
  • The phrase "not a little" uses οὐ (ou, "not") and μικρός (mikros, "little" or "small"), a Greek way of saying "very much" or "greatly." The verse is stressing just how significant their comfort was.
  • The word for "alive" is ζάω (zaō), meaning to live or be alive. The emphasis is on the real, physical restoration of the young man, not just a figurative recovery.

Why Acts 20:12 matters

  • Acts 20:12 clears up any doubt about Eutychus’s condition by plainly stating he was alive, underlining the miraculous nature of what happened.
  • The verse highlights the emotional impact on the community, showing how closely knit and caring the early believers were for one another.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the power of God at work through Paul and the encouragement such events brought to the early church, reinforcing their faith and unity.

Where else these words appear

“man” Greek G3816 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
  • Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

“brought” Greek G71 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
  • Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
  • Acts 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

“were” Greek G3870 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Acts 16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

“alive” Greek G2198 · used in 127 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.