Acts 12:13

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Acts 12:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.

King James Version KJV

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

American Standard Version ASV

And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And he gave a blow on the door, and a young girl came to it, named Rhoda.

Free Bible Version FBV

When he knocked on the gateway door, a servant girl called Rhoda came to open up.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And when Peter knocked at the entrie doore, a maide came foorth to hearken, named Rhode,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Peter having knocked at the door of the porch, there came a damsel to hearken, by name Rhoda,

World English Bible WEB

When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, whose name was Rhode.

Translation for Translators T4T

When Peter knocked at the outer entrance, a servant girl named Rhoda came to find out who was outside the door.

Plain English Version PEV

Peter knocked on the door of that house, and a worker went to the door. She was a girl called Rhoda.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 12:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Acts 12:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK κρουσαντος δε του πετρου την θυραν του πυλωνος προσηλθεν παιδισκη υπακουσαι ονοματι ροδη

κρουσαντος krouō G2925 to knock Verb-AAP-GSM

δε de G1161 then Conj

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

πετρου Petros G4074 [mother-in-law of Peter] Noun-GSM

την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF

θυραν thura G2374 door Noun-ASF

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

πυλωνος pulōn G4440 gate Noun-GSM

προσηλθεν proserchomai G4334 to come near/agree Verb-2AAI-3S

παιδισκη paidiskē G3814 maidservant Noun-NSF

υπακουσαι hupakouō G5219 to obey Verb-AAN

ονοματι onoma G3686 name Noun-DSN

ροδη Rhodē G4498 Rhoda Noun-NSF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Acts 12:13

κρουσαντος krouō G2925 "to knock" Verb-AAP-GSM

To knock means to rap or strike something, like knocking on a door, as seen in Matthew 7:7-8 and Luke 11:9-10. Jesus uses this action as a metaphor for seeking entrance into our lives.

Definition: Κρούω [in LXX: before ἐπί Jdg.19:22, Sng.5:2 (דָּפַק) ;] with, accusative, τ. αὐλαίαν, Jdth.14:14 * ;] to strike, knock: at a door (Κόπτειν, in Att..), Mat.7:7-8, Luk.11:9-10 12:36, Act.12:16, Rev.3:20; with accusative, τ. θύραν, Luk.13:25, Act.12:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: knock See also: Acts 12:13; Luke 12:36; Revelation 3:20.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πετρου Petros G4074 "[mother-in-law of Peter]" Noun-GSM

This is the name Peter, which means a rock or stone. Jesus gave this name to Simon, one of his apostles, in Matthew 16:18. Peter became a key leader in the early Christian church.

Definition: Πέτρος, -ου, ὁ (i.e. a stone, see: πέτρα, Κηφᾶς), Simon Peter, the Apostle: Mat.4:18 10:2, Mrk.3:16, Luk.5:8, Jhn.1:41, 43, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 157 NT verses. KJV: Peter, rock See also: 1 Peter 1:1; John 18:17; Matthew 26:75.

την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

θυραν thura G2374 "door" Noun-ASF

A door or entrance, as in Matthew 6:6 and John 10:1-2. It can be literal or figurative, like an opportunity.

Definition: θύρα, -ας, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for פֶּתַח, also for דַּל, דֶּלֶת, etc. ;] a door: κλείειν (ἀποκ-) τὴν θ., Mat.6:6, Luk.13:25; pass., Mat.25:10, Luk.11:7, Jhn.20:19, 26, Act.21:30; ἀνοίγειν, Act.5:19; pass., Act.16:26-27; κρούειν, Act.12:13; διὰ τῆς θ., Jhn.10:1-2; πρὸς τὴν θ., Mrk.1:33 11:4 (WH om. τήν), Act.3:2; τὰ πρὸς τὴν θ., the space by the door, Mrk.2:2; πρὸς τῇ θ., Jhn.18:16; ἐπὶ τῇ θ, Act.5:9; πρὸ τῆς θ., Act.12:6; ἐπὶ τῶν θ., Act.5:23; ἡ θ. τ. μνημείου, Mat.27:60, Mrk.15:46 16:3. Metaphorical, of Christ, ἡ θ. τ. προβάτων, Jhn.10:7, 9; of the Kingdom of Heaven, Luk.13:24; of opportunities, θ. πίστεως, Act.14:27; θ. μεγάλη, 1Co.16:9; θ. τ. λόγου, Col.4:3; θ. ἀνεῳγμένη (ἠνεῳγ-), 2Co.2:12, Rev.3:8 4:1; of Christ, ἑστηκὼς ἐπὶ τὴν θ. καὶ κρούων, Rev.3:20; of his second coming, ἐπὶ θύραις εἶναι, Mat.24:33, Mrk.13:29; πρὸ θυρῶν ἑστηκέναι, Jas.5:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 37 NT verses. KJV: door, gate See also: 1 Corinthians 16:9; John 18:16; James 5:9.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πυλωνος pulōn G4440 "gate" Noun-GSM

A gate-way or porch is an entrance to a building or city, used in Matthew 26:71 and Acts 10:17 to describe where events took place.

Definition: πυλών, -ῶνος, ὁ (πύλη), [in LXX chiefly for פֶּתַח, שַׁעַר ;] __1. the porch or vestibule of a house or palace: Mat.26:71, Luk.16:20, Act.10:17 12:13-14 __2. The gate-way or gate-tower of a walled town: Act.14:13, Rev.21:12-13, 15 21:21, 25 22:14.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: gate, porch See also: Acts 10:17; Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:13.

προσηλθεν proserchomai G4334 "to come near/agree" Verb-2AAI-3S

To approach or come near, like when people visited Jesus in Matthew 4:11 and Luke 9:42, or when we draw near to God in Hebrews 12:18 and 22

Definition: προσ-έρχομαι [in LXX for קָרַב, נָגַשׁ, etc. ;] to approach, draw near: absol., Mat.4:11, Luk.9:42, al.; with infin., Mat.24:1, al.; with dative loc., Heb.12:18, 22; dative of person(s), Mat.5:1, and freq., Jhn.12:21, al.; ptcp., προσελθών, with indic., Mat.8:2, and freq., Mrk.1:31, Luk.7:14, al.; π. αὐτῷ, with indic., Mat.4:3, Mrk.6:35, Metaphorical, __(a) of approaching God: absol. (Lev.21:17, Deu.21:5, al.), Heb.10:1, 22; τ. θεῷ, Heb.7:25 11:6; τ. θρόνῳ τ. χάριτος, Heb.4:16; πρὸς Χριστόν, 1Pe.2:4; __(b) in sense not found elsewhere (Field, Notes, 211), to consent to: ὑγιαίνουσι λόγοις, 1Ti.6:3 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: (as soon as he) come (unto), come thereunto, consent, draw near, go (near, to, unto) See also: 1 Peter 2:4; Matthew 9:14; Hebrews 4:16.

παιδισκη paidiskē G3814 "maidservant" Noun-NSF

A maidservant is a female slave or servant, often a young girl, as mentioned in Matthew 26:69 and Mark 14:66. This term highlights the role of women in servitude during biblical times.

Definition: παιδίσκη, -ης, ἡ dimin, of παῖς, [in LXX for שִׁפְחָה, אָמָה, etc. ;] __1. a young girl, a maiden (נַעֲרָה, Rut.4:12). __2. Colloq., a young female slave, a maid-servant (see Kennedy, Sources, 40 f.; Deiss., LAE, 186, 332.2): Mat.26:69, Mrk.14:66, 69, Luk.12:45 22:56, Jhn.18:17, Act.12:13 16:16; of Hagar, Gal.4:22-23, 30" (LXX) ; id., metaphorically, Gal.4:31.† SYN.: see: παῖς (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: bondmaid(-woman), damsel, maid(-en) See also: Acts 12:13; John 18:17; Matthew 26:69.

υπακουσαι hupakouō G5219 "to obey" Verb-AAN

To obey or listen attentively is the meaning of this word, used in Matthew 8:27 when the disciples obey Jesus' commands. It involves heeding or conforming to a command or authority, like following God's will.

Definition: ὑπακούω [in LXX: chiefly for שָׁמַע ;] to listen, attend, hence, __(a) to answer a knock at a door (Plat., Xen., al.): Act.12:13; __(b) to attend to, submit to, obey (Hdt., Thuc., al.): absol., Php.2:12; with inf., Heb.11:8; with dative of person(s) (Plat., al.; but more frequently with genitive), Mat.8:27, Mrk.1:27 4:41, Luk.8:25 17:6, Rom.6:16, Eph.6:1, 5, Col.3:20, 22, Heb.5:9, 1Pe.3:6; with dative of thing(s), Act.6:7, Rom.6:12 10:16, 2Th.1:8 3:14; before εἰς (by attraction, for dative; see ICC, in l), Rom.6:17.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 21 NT verses. KJV: hearken, be obedient to, obey See also: 1 Peter 3:6; Hebrews 11:8; Hebrews 5:9.

ονοματι onoma G3686 "name" Noun-DSN

A name refers to a person's character or authority, as in Matthew 10:2 and John 18:10. It represents who someone is or what they are known for. Jesus taught about the importance of a good name and reputation.

Definition: ὄνομα, -τος, τό, [in LXX chiefly for שֵׁם ;] __1. in general, the name by which a person or thing is called: Mat.10:2, Mrk.3:16, Luk.1:63, Jhn.18:10, al.; ἄνθρωπος (etc.), ᾧ (οὗ) ὄ. (τ. ὄ), sc. ἦν or ἐστίν (BL, §30, 3), Mrk.14:32, Luk.1:26, 27; with same ellipsis, καὶ τ. ὄ. αὐτοῦ, Luk.1:5, Jhn.1:6, al.; ὀνόματι, before nom. prop., Mat.27:32, Mrk.5:22, Luk.1:5, Act.5:1, al.; accusative absol. (Bl., §34, 7), τοὔνομα (= τ. ὄνομα), Mat.27:57; ὄ. μοι (sc. ἐστίν; cf. Hom., Od., ix, 366), Mrk.5:9 (cf. Luk.8:30); ἔξειν ὄ., Rev.9:11; καλεῖν (ἐπιτιθέναι) ὄ. (Bl., §33, 1), Mat.1:21, Mrk.3:16; τ. ὄ. ἐν (τ.) βίβλῳ ζωῆς (cf. Deiss., LAE, 121), Php.4:3, Rev.13:8, cf. Luk.10:20 (ἐν τ. οὐρανοῖς); ὄ. βλασφημίας, Rev.13:1; the name as opposite to the reality, Rev.3:1 (cf. Hdt., vii, 138); as a title: Eph.1:21, Php.2:9, 10 (Lft., in l.). __2. By a usage similar to that with ref. to Heb. שֵׁם (Lft., Notes, 106f.), but also common in Hellenistic (M, Pr., 100; Bl., §39, 4; Deiss, BS, 146f., 196f.; LAE, 123:4, of all that the name implies, of rank, authority, character, etc.: of acting on one's authority or in his behalf, ἐν (εἰς) ὄ., with genitive of person(s) (see reff. supr.), Mat.10:41 21:9 28:19, Mrk.11:9, Luk.13:35, Jhn.5:43, Act.8:16, 1Co.1:13; of the name Christian, 1Pe.4:16; esp. of the name of God as expressing the divine attributes: ἁγιάζειν (ἅγιον) τὸ ὄ. (τ. Πατρός, Κυρίου), Mat.6:9, Luk.1:49 11:2; ψάλλειν (ὁμολογεῖν) τῷ ὀ., Rom.15:9, Heb.13:15; δοξάζειν (φανεροῦν, φοβεῖσθαι) τὸ ὄ., Jhn.12:28 17:6, 26 Rev.11:18 15:4; βλασφημεῖν, Rom.2:24, 1Ti.6:1, Rev.13:6; similarly, of the name of Christ: τ. καλὂν ὄ. (Deiss., LAE, 276); πιστεύειν τῷ ὀ., 1Jn.3:23; π. εἰς τ. ὄ. (Bl., §39, 4), Jhn.1:12 2:23 3:18; ὀνομάζειν τὸ ὄ., 2Ti.2:19; κρατεῖν, Rev.2:13; οὐκ ἀρνεῖσθαι, Rev.3:8; ἐν τ. ὀ. (see reff. supr.), Mrk.9:38 16:[17], Luk.10:17, Jhn.14:13 16:23, 24 20:31, Act.3:6 4:12, Eph.5:20, 1Pe.4:14, al.; εἰς τ. ὄ. συνάγεσθαι, Mat.18:20; ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀ., Mat.19:29; διὰ τὸ ὄ., Mat.10:22, Mrk.13:13, al.; διὰ τοῦ ὀ., 1Co.1:10; ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀ., Act.9:16, Rom.1:5, al.; id. absol., Act.5:41, 3Jo.7; πρὸς τὸ ὄ., Act.26:9. __3. cause, ground, reason (in cl., usually in bad sense, pretext): Mrk.9:41 (Swete, in l.; Dalman, Words, 305f.). __4. In late Greek (Deiss., BS., 196f.), an individual, a person: Act.1:15, Rev.3:4 11:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 214 NT verses. KJV: called, (+ sur-)name(-d) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; John 16:23; 1 Peter 4:14.

ροδη Rhodē G4498 "Rhoda" Noun-NSF

Rhoda was a servant girl who played a significant role in the early Christian church, as seen in the New Testament. She is known for answering the door when Peter visited her master's home.

Definition: a rose-tree, rose-bush , (Archilochus Lyricus) (ML)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: Rhoda See also: Acts 12:13.

Study Notes — Acts 12:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Acts 12:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 12:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 12:13
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 12:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 12:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 12:13
Cambridge Bible on Acts 12:13
Barnes' Notes on Acts 12:13
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 12:13
Sermons on Acts 12:13

Context — The Rescue of Peter

11Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.” 12And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.

13He knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.

14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, “Peter is standing at the gate!” 15“You are out of your mind,” they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Acts 12:16	But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded.
2	Luke 13:25	After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
3	John 18:16–17	But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered.

Acts 12:13 Summary

In Acts 12:13, we see Peter arriving at the house of Mary, where many believers were gathered and praying for him. A servant girl named Rhoda answered the gate and recognized Peter's voice, which shows that she was familiar with him and the community was close-knit. This verse reminds us that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways, as seen in other stories like the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21. It also encourages us to be faithful and trusting, like Peter, and to use our homes and lives as places of gathering and prayer, as seen in Acts 2:42-47.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Rhoda and why is she mentioned in this verse?

Rhoda was a servant girl in the household of Mary, the mother of John Mark, and she is mentioned because she was the one who answered the gate when Peter arrived, as seen in Acts 12:13, demonstrating her role in the early Christian community, similar to other faithful servants like the ones mentioned in Acts 6:1-6.

Why did Peter go to the house of Mary after his escape from prison?

Peter went to the house of Mary because it was a gathering place for many believers who were praying for his release, as mentioned in Acts 12:12, showing the importance of community and prayer in the early Christian church, as also seen in Acts 2:42-47.

What can we learn from the fact that Rhoda recognized Peter's voice?

The fact that Rhoda recognized Peter's voice suggests that she was familiar with him and had likely heard him speak before, perhaps during gatherings like the one mentioned in Acts 12:12, highlighting the close relationships within the early Christian community, as encouraged in Hebrews 10:24-25.

How does this verse relate to the larger story of Peter's escape from prison?

This verse is a part of the larger story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison, as told in Acts 12:1-19, and it shows how God used ordinary people, like Rhoda, to participate in the extraordinary events of the early Christian church, as also seen in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40.

Reflection Questions

What role do I play in the community of believers, and how can I be more like Rhoda, serving and recognizing the voices of those around me?
How can I, like the early Christians, make my home a place of gathering and prayer for others, as seen in Acts 12:12?
What are some ways I can demonstrate my faith and trust in God's power, like Peter did when he showed up at the gate, as seen in Acts 12:13-14?
How can I balance my excitement and joy, like Rhoda's, with a thoughtful and wise response to God's work in my life, as encouraged in James 1:19-20?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, c. The lesser door in the great gate, or the door of the porch through which they entered into the house.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 12:13

The door of the gate; this was the outermost door to the porch, or court before the house. A damsel came to hearken; being in great fear of a suprisal, they ordered one to observe, and give an answer unto any that should come to the house; which was the more heedfully done, because it was at an unseasonable time of the night; yet these holy men broke their rest, and exposed themselves to many fears and dangers, rather than not to assemble to serve God, when they could not serve him otherwise.

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 12:13

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. Ver. 13. To hearken] Before she opened, lest some pursuivant or such like evil angel at that time of the night should have haunted them. Opposition is Evangelii genius, the life of the church, saith Calvin, Piety is no target against persecution.

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 12:13

(13) A damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.—The mention of the name of the slave indicates St. Luke’s care in ascertaining details, as far as his opportunities allowed. The office of opening the door to strangers was commonly assigned, as in the case even of the high priest’s palace (Matthew 26:69; Matthew 26:71), to a female slave. The name, which means “a rose,” is of the same class as Tamar = a palm tree; Deborah = a bee; Margarita = a pearl; Dorcas = an antelope.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 12:13

Verse 13. As Peter knocked] The door was probably shut for fear of the Jews; and, as most of the houses in the east have an area before the door, it might have been at this outer gate that Peter stood knocking. A damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.] She came to inquire who was there. Rhoda signifies a rose; and it appears to have been customary with he Jews, as Grotius and others remark, to give the names of flowers and trees to their daughters: thus Susannah signifies a lily, Hadassah, a myrtle, Tamar, a palm tree, &c., &c.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 12:13

13–19. Surprise of the brethren, and anger of Herod13. at the door of the gate] The first named is the wicket which was opened for anyone’s admission; the second is the porch into which admission was obtained by the small door.a damsel came to hearken] Perhaps we have here a trace of the danger which at this time surrounded the disciples from this zeal for Judaism on the part of Herod. Saul had entered into every house and carried off men and women to prison (Acts 8:3), and there was a prospect of a like persecution. So Rhoda was not minded to open till she knew who was seeking for admission.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 12:13

At the door of the gate - Rather the door of the vestibule, or principal entrance into the house. The house was entered through such a porch or vestibule, and it was the door opening into this which is here intended.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 12:13

13. The gate—The street gate entering into the area in front of the house. (See note in vol. i, p. 326.) Rhoda—Signifying rose bush.

Sermons on Acts 12:13

	Sermon	Description
	Differences in the Gospels Similarities and Differences by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the topic of liberality and giving to the work of the Lord. He emphasizes that when we give to the Lord, we will receive in abundance, as the
	(Through the Bible) Luke 12-13 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus Christ is a divider of men. It separates those who are saved and believe in eternal life from those who are lost an
	Salvation and It's Deadly Deceptions by Al Whittinghill	In this sermon, the speaker tells a story about a man who walks across a tightrope over a waterfall while pushing a wheelbarrow. The crowd is amazed and applauds him. The speaker t
	Luke 13:25 by Bob Bruton	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of visiting a friend in a penitentiary and going through multiple doors to enter the jail. He uses this analogy to explain
	Midnight! What Then? by Ian Paisley	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the ten virgins from the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared and ready for the return of Christ. The five f
	Matthew 25:10 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared for the journey from life to eternity, drawing parallels between earthly travel preparations and the necessity o