SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:7
Y he aquí, el ngel del Seor sobrevino, y una luz resplandeci en la crcel; e hiriendo a Pedro en el lado, le despert, diciendo: Levntate prestamente. Y las cadenas se le cayeron de las manos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 12:7
Verse 7. Smote Peter on the side] He struck him in such a way as was just sufficient to awake him from his sleep. His chains fell off from his hands.] The chains mentioned above, by which he was bound to the two soldiers.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him , etc.] Suddenly and at once, and stood by him; this was one of the ministering spirits sent forth by Christ, to minister to a servant of his: and a light shined in the prison ; the Syriac version renders it, in the whole house; and the word that is used does signify an habitation, or a dwelling house properly, but is used also by the Greek writers for a prison: this was an uncommon light produced by the angel, partly as an emblem of the presence, majesty, and power of God, who was present, to work a great deliverance; and partly for the use of Peter, that when being awaked he might see to rise and walk by: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up ; he touched him on that side which lay uppermost, or punched him on it, in order to awake him, and raise him out of his sleep: saying arise up quickly ; without delay, make haste: and his chains fell off from his hands ; from both his hands, and were left with the soldiers, between whom he slept; which must be ascribed to an almighty power, which caused them to drop off.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - A peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even thos very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on tha account. God's time to help, is when things are brought to the las extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who ar delivered out of spiritual imprisonment must follow their Deliverer like the Israelites when they went out of the house of bondage. The knew not whither they went, but knew whom they followed. When God wil work salvation for his people, all difficulties in their way will be overcome, even gates of iron are made to open of their own accord. Thi deliverance of Peter represents our redemption by Christ, which no only proclaims liberty to the captives, but brings them out of the prison-house. Peter, when he recollected himself, perceived what grea things God had done for him. Thus souls delivered out of spiritual bondage, are not at first aware what God has wrought in them; many have the truth of grace, that want evidence of it. But when the Comforte comes, whom the Father will send, sooner or later, he will let the know what a blessed change is wrought.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ιδου 2400 5628 V-2AAM-2S αγγελος 32 N-NSM κυριου 2962 N-GSM επεστη 2186 5627 V-2AAI-3S και 2532 CONJ φως 5457 N-NSN ελαμψεν 2989 5656 V-AAI-3S εν 1722 PREP τω 3588 T-DSN οικηματι 3612 N-DSN παταξας 3960 5660 V-AAP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF πλευραν 4125 N-ASF του 3588 T-GSM πετρου 4074 N-GSM ηγειρεν 1453 5656 V-AAI-3S αυτον 846 P-ASM λεγων 3004 5723 V-PAP-NSM αναστα 450 5628 V-2AAM-2S-AP εν 1722 PREP ταχει 5034 N-DSN και 2532 CONJ εξεπεσον 1601 5627 V-2AAI-3P αυτου 846 P-GSM αι 3588 T-NPF αλυσεις 254 N-NPF εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPF χειρων 5495 N-GPF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Came upon (epesth). Better, as Rev., stood by. See on ch. iv. 1; and compare Luke ii. 9.Prison (oikhmati). Not the prison, but the cell where Peter was confined. So, rightly, Rev.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:7 {Stood by him} (epeste). Ingressive second aorist active indicative of efistemi, intransitive. this very form occurs in #Lu 2:9 of the sudden appearance of the angel of the Lord to the shepherds. Page notes that this second aorist of efistemi occurs seven times in the Gospel of Luke, eight times in the Acts, and nowhere else in the N.T. Note also the same form apeste (departed from, from afistemi, stood off from) of the disappearance of the angel in verse #10. {In the cell} (en twi oikemati). Literally, a dwelling place or habitation (from oikew, to dwell, oikos, house), but here not the prison as a whole as in Thucydides, but the room in the prison (cell) where Peter was chained to the two guards. Old word, but only here in the N.T. {He smote Peter on the side} (pataxas ten pleuran tou petrou). More exactly, "smote the side of Peter." Strongly enough to wake Peter up who was sound asleep and yet not rouse the two guards. It was probably between 3 A.M. and 6 A.M., hours when changes in the guards were made. {Rise up} (anasta). Short form (_Koin_) of anasteqi, second aorist active imperative of anistemi, intransitive. So also #Ac 9:11 (Westcott and Hort text); #Eph 5:14. {Fell off} (exepesan). Second aorist active with a ending like first aorist of expiptw, old verb. this miracle was necessary if Peter was to escape without rousing the two guards.
