Acts 12:7
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came on 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.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came on 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.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And a great light was seen shining in the room, and an angel of the Lord came to Peter and, touching him on his side so that he came out of his sleep, said, Get up quickly. And his chains came off his hands.
Webster's Revision
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 quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
World English Bible
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly!" His chains fell off from his hands.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Definitions for Acts 12:7
Clarke's Acts 12:7 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Acts 12:7 Bible Commentary
And, behold, the angel of the Lord - See the notes on Acts 5:19.
Came upon him - Greek: was present with him; stood near him ἐπέστη epestē.
And a light shined in the prison - Many have supposed that this was lightning. But light, and splendor, and shining apparel are commonly represented as the accompaniments of the heavenly beings when they visit the earth, Luke 2:9; Luke 24:4; compare Mark 9:3. It is highly probable that this light was discerned only by Peter; and it would be to him an undoubted proof of the divine interposition in his behalf.
And he smote Peter on the side - This was, doubtless, a gentle blow or stroke to arouse him from sleep.
And his chains ... - This could have been only by divine power. No natural means were used, or could have been used without arousing the guard. It is a sublime expression of the ease with which God can deliver from danger, and rescue his friends. Compare Acts 16:26.
Wesley's Acts 12:7 Bible Commentary
12:7 His chains - With which his right arm was bound to one of the soldiers, and his left arm to the other.