During biblical times, it was common for the hands and feet of prisoners to be bound in fetters, or shackles – restraints that curtailed free movement. Similar in purpose to our modern-day hand and ankle cuffs, these confining devices were made out of wood, iron, or bronze, and wearing them was generally painful. A person whose fetters were joined by a chain would be even further hobbled.
Besides Christ’s being bound at the time of His arrest (John 18:12), there are many instances throughout scripture which depict the use of fetters. Sampson was “bound with bronze shackles” by the Philistines (Judges 16:21), the demoniac was “bound with chains and shackles” in the cemetery (Mark 5:2-4; Luke 8:29), and both Peter and Paul were fettered and shackled while in prison (Acts 12:6-7; Acts 16:24-26). In fact, in his closing remarks in his letter to the Church of Colossa, St. Paul writes, “Remember my fetters” (Col. 4:18), as a testimony to his willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake.
Interestingly, the actual chains which bound Peter were carefully preserved, passed down, and venerated as a type of holy relic by the Early Church. These chains still exist and are commemorated each year on January 16th.
