And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Ver. 7. And a light shined in the prison] Gr. εν τω οικηματι, in the habitacle or conclave. So Solon first called the prison at Athens. So Petronius told Csesar he had rather be with Cato εν οικηματι, in the prison house, than with him in the senate house.
And he smote Peter on the side, &c.] Cuthbert Simon, a martyr in Queen Mary's days, about midnight, being in prison (whether in a slumber or awake, I cannot tell, saith Mr Fox), heard one coming in, first opening the outward door, then the second, afterward the third, and so looking in to the said Cuthbert, having no candle or torch that he could see, but giving a brightness or light most comfortable to his heart, saying Ha unto him, and departed again. Who it was he could not tell, nor I dare define. This that he saw he declared often to many; at the sight whereof he received such joyful comfort, that he also expressed no little solace in telling and declaring the same.
His chains fell from off his hands] Prisoners were bound with one or two chains to one or two soldiers, who (as keepers) were also bound with the same chains.