SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:10
Y cuando pasaron la primera y la segunda guardia, vinieron a la puerta de hierro que va a la ciudad, la cual se les abri de suyo; y salidos, pasaron una calle; y luego el ngel se apart de l.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 12:10
Verse 10. The first and-second ward] It is supposed that ancient Jerusalem was surrounded by three walls: if so, then passing through the gates of these three walls successively is possibly what is meant by the expression in the text. The prison in which he was confined might have been that which was at the outer wall. Iron gate] This was in the innermost wall of the three, and was strongly plated over with iron, for the greater security. In the east, the gates are often thus secured to the present day. Pitts says so of the gates of Algiers; and Pocock, of some near Antioch. Perhaps this is all that is meant by the iron gate. One of the quaternions of soldiers was placed at each gate.
Which opened-of his own accord] Influenced by the unseen power of the angel.
The angel departed from him.] Having brought him into a place in which he no longer needed his assistance. What is proper to God he always does: what is proper to man he requires him to perform.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. When they were past the first and the second ward , etc.] Or watch, which were set within the prison, and might be some of the quaternions of soldiers to whom Peter was delivered; two of them were with him, and others might be placed at these two wards for further security; and these circumstances make the deliverance the more wonderful and remarkable; the watch must either be asleep, or their eyes were holden, or the angel and Peter passed by so swiftly that they were unobserved: they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city : which was not one of the gates of the city, as if the prison was without the walls of it; but was the great and strong gate of the prison, which for the security of the prisoners was made of iron, and this gate led directly into the city of Jerusalem: which opened to them of his own accord ; as the gates of the temple are said to do f583 , forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem: this was done by a divine power; and because no human creature had any hand in it, it is said to be done of its own accord: and they went out . The Cambridge copy of Bezas adds, they went down seven steps; that is, from the prison into the city: and passed on through one street ; what street this was is not certain; there were several streets in Jerusalem: (See Gill on Acts 9:11) and forthwith the angel departed from him: he being now safe and out of danger, he left him to himself, to betake himself to what house he should think fit.
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
διελθοντες 1330 5631 V-2AAP-NPM δε 1161 CONJ πρωτην 4413 A-ASF φυλακην 5438 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ δευτεραν 1208 A-ASF ηλθον 2064 5627 V-2AAI-3P επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF πυλην 4439 N-ASF την 3588 T-ASF σιδηραν 4603 A-ASF την 3588 T-ASF φερουσαν 5342 5723 V-PAP-ASF εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF πολιν 4172 N-ASF ητις 3748 R-NSF αυτοματη 844 A-NSF ηνοιχθη 455 5681 V-API-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM και 2532 CONJ εξελθοντες 1831 5631 V-2AAP-NPM προηλθον 4281 5627 V-2AAI-3P ρυμην 4505 N-ASF μιαν 1520 A-ASF και 2532 CONJ ευθεως 2112 ADV απεστη 868 5627 V-2AAI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM αγγελος 32 N-NSM απ 575 PREP αυτου 846 P-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
10. Ward (fulakhn). Better, watch: the soldiers on guard. Explanations of the first and second watch differ, some assuming that the first was the single soldier on guard at the door of Peter's cell, and the second, another soldier at the gate leading into the street. Others, that two soldiers were at each of these posts, the two in Peter's cell not being included in the four who made up the watch.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:10 {When they were past} (dielqontes). Second aorist active participle of diercomai, transitive with dia in composition. {The first and the second ward} (prwten fulaken kai deuteran). It is not clear to what this language refers. Some take it to mean single soldiers, using fulaken in the sense of a guard (one before the door, one at the iron gate). But it seems hardly likely that the two soldiers with whom Peter had been stationed are meant. Probably the "first ward" means the two soldiers of the quaternion stationed by the door and the second ward some other soldiers, not part of the sixteen, further on in the prison by the iron gate. However understood, the difficulties of escape are made plain. {Unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city} (epi ten pulen ten sideran ten ferousan eis ten polin). Note the triple use of the article (the gate the iron one the one leading into the city). For this resumptive use of the article see Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 762, 764. this iron gate may have opened from a court out into the street and effectually barred escape. {Opened to them} (enoige autois). Second aorist passive indicative of anoigw, the usual later form though enoicqe (first aorist passive) occurs also, was opened. {Of its own accord} (automate). Old compound adjective (autos, self, obsolete ma", to desire eagerly, feminine form though masculine automatos also used as feminine). In the N.T. only here and #Mr 4:28. It was a strange experience for Peter. The Codex Bezae adds here "went down the seven steps" (katebesan tous hepta baqmous), an interesting detail that adds to the picture. {One street} (rhumen mian). The angel saw Peter through one of the narrow streets and qen left him. We have no means of knowing precisely the location of the prison in the city. On "departed" (apeste) see on verse 7.
