# Suddenly

This introduces a new event. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])

# the chains of all the prisoners

The possessive “of the prisoners” here refers chains that were holding the prisoners in place. They did not belong to the prisoners—they belonged to the Roman government. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])

# fell off

This could mean ***suddenly came off*** or ***suddenly came apart so that the prisoners were released***.