σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας, there was a great earthquake. Just as the place wherein the Apostles prayed (Acts 4:31) was shaken, so here God testifies that He is near at hand.

πάντων τὰ δεσμὰ�, every one’s bands were loosed. The sense in which these words are to be taken may be gathered from the rest of the description. The chains (δεσμὰ) were made fast to the wall, and the shock which burst asunder the bolts of the doors also released the fastenings which held the chains in the masonry.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament