Had broken bread - Had taken some refreshment, in order to their journey. And talked a long while - Ὁμιλησας , Having familiarly conversed, for this is the import of the word, which is very different from the διελεγετο , of the seventh verse, and the διαλεγομενου , of the ninth; which imply solemn, grave discourse. read more
Verse 7− 7.And in one day. Either doth he mean the first day of the week, which was next after the Sabbath, or else some certain Sabbath. Which latter thing may seem to me more probable; for this cause, because that day was more fit for all assembly, according to custom. But seeing it is no new matter for the Evangelists to put one instead of the first, according to the custom of the Hebrew tongue, ( Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1) it shall very well agree, that on the morrow after the... read more
Verse 9− 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... read more
Verse 10− 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... read more
"In labors more abundant." The rapid succession and the unbroken continuance of St. Paul's labors is truly marvelous. Rest or recreation seem to be things unknown to him. The tension of spirit caused by imminent and pressing danger seems not to have produced in him, as it does in most men, the need of breathing-time to recover their usual tone. His one idea of the use of life, and of the various faculties of mind and body with which his life was equipped, was apparently to preach Jesus... read more
Human life: lights and shadows. In these verses we are reminded of— I. THE SCANTY RECORD OF HUMAN LIFE . We have six verses of this valuable chronicle given to the unimportant incident of the accident which befell Eutychus ( Acts 20:7-12 ), and only three to Paul's visit to Macedonia and Greece. We do not understand why Luke should thus apportion his space, but the fact that he did so reminds us how often most interesting and instructive scenes, or even precious and... read more
Scenes by the way. I. FUGITIVE SERVICE . "When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," had said the Lord. But not as a hireling who sees the wolf coming; rather as a brave warrior who retreats fighting. The brave retreat may reflect more honor than the hopeless prolongation of warfare. We must know when to give way. There is a "wise passiveness" and a "masterly inactivity." If we can but gain our Christian point, we should suffer no scruple of vanity to stand in our... read more
The seven days' halt at the gateway between Europe and Asia. This seven days' stay at Troas may be safely presumed to have had points of special interest about it. The seven ( Acts 20:4 ) who accompanied Paul into Asia were here found awaiting him and Silas and the historian. These ten, beside any others possibly with them, must have been the welcomed visitors of the disciples at Troas. Memory dwelt upon Troas, for it was the place where, in the vision of the night ( Acts 16:9 ), Paul... read more
We were gathered for the disciples came, A.V. and T.R.; discoursed with for preached unto, A.V.; intending for ready, A.V.; prolonged for continued, A.V. The first day of the week . This is an important evidence of the keeping of the Lord's day by the Church as a day for their Church assemblies (see Luke 24:1 , Luke 24:30 , Luke 24:35 ; John 20:19 , John 20:26 ; 1 Corinthians 16:2 ). To break bread . This is also an important example of weekly communion as the... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:10
And Paul - fell on him - Επεπεσεν αυτῳ , Stretched himself upon him, in the same manner as Elisha did on the Shunammite's son, 2 Kings 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. read more