Barnes New Testament Notes

Verse 10. The first and the second ward. The word which is here rendered ward, fulakhn properly denotes the act of guarding; but it is most commonly used to denote a prison, or place of confinement. In this place it seems to denote the guard itself -- the soldiers stationed at intervals in the entrance into the prison. These were passed silently, probably a deep sleep having been sent on them to facilitate the escape of Peter.

The iron gate. The outer gate, secured with iron, as the doors of prisons are now.

That leadeth unto the city. Or, rather, into eiv the city. Jerusalem was surrounded by three walls. (See Lightfoot on this place.) The prison is supposed to have been situated between two of these walls. And it is probable that the entrance to the prison was immediately from the inner wall, so that this gate opened directly into the city.

Of his own accord. Itself. It opened spontaneously, without the application of any force, or key, thus showing conclusively that Peter was delivered by miraculous interposition.

And passed on through one street. Till Peter was entirely safe from any danger of pursuit, and then the angel left him. God had effected his complete rescue, and now left him to his own efforts as usual.

{@} "ward" "guard"