Acts 20:1–12 Paul Goes Through Macedonia and Greece
Quick Summary
Acts 20:1–12 describes Paul's journey through Macedonia and Greece after the riot in Ephesus. He encourages the disciples, travels for three months in Greece, and changes his travel plans due to a plot against him. Accompanied by representatives from various churches, Paul travels to Troas where he preaches until midnight. A young man named Eutychus falls asleep, tumbles from a third-story window, and is found dead. Paul embraces him and declares he is alive. After breaking bread and continuing to talk until dawn, Paul departs while the church takes Eutychus home alive and greatly comforted.
Introduction
After more than two years in Ephesus, Paul moves on. The riot has made it clear that his time there is finished. Yet he does not rush to the next city. He takes time to revisit Macedonia and Greece, strengthening the churches he planted on earlier journeys.
This passage is transitional. Luke summarizes months of travel in a few verses. Paul's movements are purposeful: encouraging believers, collecting funds for Jerusalem, and making plans for his return.
The narrative slows when Paul reaches Troas. There, in an upper room, a remarkable incident occurs. Eutychus falls from a window and dies. Paul raises him. The miracle is recounted without fanfare, embedded in an otherwise ordinary evening of teaching and fellowship.
Luke's inclusion of this story serves multiple purposes. It demonstrates God's power. It shows Paul's pastoral concern. And it reminds readers that resurrection is not merely a doctrine about the past or future—it is a present reality.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Acts 20:1–12 and Commentary
Acts 20:1
"After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia."
The riot in Ephesus has ended, but Paul's work there is complete. He gathers the disciples one last time, encourages them, and says farewell.
The word "encouraging" (παρακαλέσας, parakalesas) carries the sense of exhortation, comfort, and strengthening. Paul does not simply leave. He ensures the church is grounded and ready to continue without him.
This farewell is significant. Paul has invested over two years in Ephesus. The church is established, but it will face challenges. Paul's departure tests whether the community can sustain itself.
His destination is Macedonia, the region that includes Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea—churches he planted on his second missionary journey. He returns to strengthen them.
Acts 20:2
"When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement, he came to Greece."
Paul travels through Macedonia, visiting multiple cities. Luke does not detail every stop, but the phrase "much encouragement" (λόγῳ πολλῷ, logō pollō) suggests extensive teaching and exhortation.
Paul's letters to the Thessalonians and Philippians reveal his deep affection for these churches. His visit likely involved addressing ongoing challenges, teaching, and celebrating their faithfulness.
He then travels to Greece (Ἑλλάδα, Hellada), referring to the region of Achaia, which includes Corinth. Paul will spend three months there.
Acts 20:3
"Where he stayed for three months. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot was made against him by the Jews, and so he decided to return through Macedonia."
Paul remains in Greece for three months, likely in Corinth. This extended stay suggests significant work—teaching, addressing issues in the church, and preparing for his journey to Jerusalem.
During this time, Paul writes his letter to the Romans, outlining his plans to visit Rome after delivering the collection to Jerusalem (Romans 15:22-29).
A plot against Paul is discovered. Luke does not provide details, but it likely involved an ambush during his sea voyage to Syria. Jews opposed to Paul may have planned to kill him aboard ship or at a port.
Paul changes his plans. Instead of sailing directly, he returns through Macedonia, taking the overland route. This is the wise response. Mission requires both courage and prudence.
Acts 20:4
"He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Beroea, by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, by Gaius from Derbe, and by Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia."
Paul does not travel alone. Seven companions are named, representing churches from across the region: Beroea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia.
These men are likely delegates chosen by their churches to accompany the financial collection being taken to Jerusalem for the relief of poor believers there. Paul mentions this collection in his letters (1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Romans 15:25-27).
The diversity of the group is significant. The collection represents unity among Gentile and Jewish believers, a tangible expression of the church's oneness in Christ.
Timothy, Paul's trusted companion, is again mentioned. His presence underscores the collaborative nature of Paul's ministry.
Acts 20:5–6
"They went ahead and were waiting for us in Troas; but we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we joined them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days."
Luke resumes the "we" narrative, indicating he has rejoined Paul's company. This personal participation lends credibility to the account.
The group splits temporarily. Some travel ahead to Troas while Paul and Luke remain in Philippi through the Passover and days of Unleavened Bread. This week-long festival was significant for Jews, and Paul's observance shows he remains rooted in his heritage.
After the festival, they sail to Troas. The journey takes five days. Upon arrival, they stay for seven days, allowing time for teaching and fellowship with the church.
Acts 20:7
"On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight."
The church gathers "on the first day of the week" (κατὰ μίαν σαββάτων, kata mian sabbatōn). This is Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection. By this time, the early church has begun meeting on Sunday rather than the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday).
They gather "to break bread" (κλάσαι ἄρτον, klasai arton). This phrase can refer to a common meal or to the Lord's Supper. Likely, it includes both—fellowship meals that culminate in remembering Jesus' death and resurrection.
Paul holds a discussion (διελέγετο, dielegeto), the same word used for his teaching in synagogues. This is interactive, involving questions and responses.
Because Paul plans to leave the next day, he speaks until midnight. This is not brevity. Paul has much to say, and the church wants to hear. The length reflects both the importance of the teaching and the community's eagerness.
Acts 20:8
"There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting."
Luke notes the presence of many lamps. This detail is often interpreted as explaining why Eutychus fell asleep—the room was warm and smoky. But it also sets the scene, emphasizing that the gathering was well-lit, communal, and extended late into the night.
The "room upstairs" (ὑπερῷον, hyperōon) is likely a third-story space, common in urban buildings. Upper rooms provided privacy and space for gatherings.
Acts 20:9
"A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead."
Eutychus, a young man, sits in the window. This was common—windowsills provided seating when space was limited.
As Paul continues speaking, Eutychus falls into a deep sleep. The word (καταφερόμενος, katapheromenos) suggests being overcome, weighed down by sleep.
He falls from the third floor. Luke is explicit: he was "picked up dead" (ἤρθη νεκρός, ērthē nekros). This is not a near-death experience or unconsciousness. Eutychus has died.
The tragedy interrupts the gathering. Paul's teaching stops. The focus shifts to the young man lying dead on the ground.
Acts 20:10
"But Paul went down, and bending over him took him in his arms, and said, 'Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.'"
Paul goes down immediately. He does not send others. He responds personally, bending over Eutychus and taking him in his arms.
This gesture echoes Elijah raising the widow's son (1 Kings 17:21) and Elisha raising the Shunammite woman's son (2 Kings 4:34-35). Both prophets stretched themselves over dead children, and life returned.
Paul declares, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him". This is not the resuscitation of someone still alive. It is resurrection. Life has returned.
Luke does not describe Paul praying or invoking God's name, though this is surely implied. The focus is on the result: Eutychus lives.
Acts 20:11
"When Paul had gone upstairs, he had broken bread and eaten, he continued to converse with them until dawn; then he left."
After the miracle, Paul returns upstairs. The gathering resumes. They break bread—whether this is the continuation of the Lord's Supper or a meal after the crisis is unclear. Either way, fellowship continues.
Paul talks until dawn. He does not cut the evening short. The community has experienced death and resurrection. Now they continue in conversation, processing what happened and receiving Paul's final words.
This perseverance is remarkable. Paul could have ended the gathering after Eutychus's fall. Instead, he uses the extended time to teach and encourage. Mission does not stop for inconvenience or crisis.
Acts 20:12
"Meanwhile they had taken the boy away alive and were not a little comforted."
Luke shifts focus to Eutychus. He is taken home alive (ζῶντα, zōnta). The church is "not a little comforted," meaning they were greatly comforted.
The comfort is not merely relief. It is encouragement. God has acted. Death has been defeated. The same power that raised Jesus is present among them.
This event becomes part of the church's story, a testimony to God's power and Paul's authority as an apostle.
Acts 20:1–12 Meaning for Today
Acts 20:1–12 offers several lessons for the contemporary church.
First, pastoral ministry includes returning to strengthen what has been planted. Paul did not simply move from city to city, leaving new churches to fend for themselves. He revisited them, encouraged them, and invested in their ongoing growth. Church leaders today should prioritize long-term discipleship over constant expansion.
Second, wise planning includes adapting to threats. Paul changed his travel route when a plot was discovered. This was not cowardice but prudence. The church should be both courageous and careful, recognizing that unnecessary risks do not honor God.
Third, corporate worship includes extended teaching and fellowship. The church in Troas gathered on Sunday evening and listened to Paul until midnight, then until dawn. This kind of sustained engagement with Scripture and community is rare in contemporary Christianity, but it reflects the early church's hunger for teaching and connection.
Fourth, God's power is present even in ordinary gatherings. The resurrection of Eutychus was not planned or staged. It happened in the middle of a regular church meeting. The church should expect God to act powerfully, even in the routine rhythms of gathered worship.
Fifth, crises do not derail mission. Eutychus's death could have ended the evening in grief and confusion. Instead, Paul raised him, and the gathering continued. The church should respond to crises with faith, trusting that God can redeem even tragedy.
Finally, the first day of the week matters. The early church gathered on Sunday to remember Jesus' resurrection. This practice, rooted in Acts, continues today. Sunday worship is not arbitrary. It celebrates the day Christ defeated death and inaugurated the new creation.
Acts 20:1–12 presents a church marked by perseverance, deep teaching, and the expectation of God's presence. It calls believers today to similar priorities: strengthening one another, listening patiently to God's word, and trusting in the power of resurrection.
Works Consulted
Bruce, F. F. The Book of the Acts. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans.
Dunn, James D. G. The Acts of the Apostles. Epworth Commentaries.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Acts of the Apostles. Sacra Pagina. Liturgical Press.
Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Vol. 3. Baker Academic.
New Revised Standard Version Bible.
See Also
Acts 19:23-41 The Riot in Ephesus
