Acts 12 13

Acts 12:13 kjv

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

Acts 12:13 nkjv

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

Acts 12:13 niv

Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.

Acts 12:13 esv

And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.

Acts 12:13 nlt

He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 13 Meaning

Acts 12:13 describes the moment after Peter's miraculous liberation from prison. He arrived at a gate and knocked, and a young servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic revelation of Peter's presence to the gathered believers who had been praying for him.

Acts 12 13 Context

Acts chapter 12 details a severe persecution initiated by King Herod Agrippa I against the early Christian community. He executed James, the brother of John, with the sword and, seeing it pleased the Jews, proceeded to arrest Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, intending to publicly execute him after Passover. Peter was heavily guarded, but the church gathered at the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, and prayed earnestly for his release. As Herod was about to bring Peter out, an angel of the Lord miraculously appeared, released Peter from his chains, opened the prison gates, and led him out into the city. Acts 12:13 captures the very next moment: Peter's arrival at the place where the believers were praying, leading directly into their astonishing and almost unbelievable discovery of his presence.

Acts 12 13 Word analysis

• And (καί, kai): Connects Peter's miraculous escape directly to his arrival. It signals a swift and immediate follow-up to the preceding events.
• when he had knocked (κρούσαντος, krousantos): A participle, emphasizing an action already completed by Peter. The Greek term implies a distinct and audible knock, likely signaling his presence in a decisive manner. This highlights Peter's intentional act of seeking entry.
• at the door (τὴν θύραν, tēn thyran): Refers specifically to an entrance. In this context, it is not merely any door, but a significant portal to a property.
• of the gate (τοῦ πυλῶνος, tou pylōnos): "Pylon" denotes a large, fortified gate or an entrance passage into a courtyard or larger dwelling. This suggests Mary's house was not a simple dwelling but a compound or a more substantial home, capable of accommodating a large group for prayer.
• a damsel (παιδίσκη, paidiskē): This Greek term specifically refers to a young female servant or slave girl. This was a common social position in the ancient world, highlighting that the first person Peter encountered was a domestic helper, not a principal resident of the house.
• came (προσελθούσης, proselthousēs): Literally, "having approached." This indicates her action of coming to the door, rather than just being near it.
• to hearken (ὑπακοῦσαι, hypakousai): From hypakouō, meaning "to listen under," implying a readiness to hear and obey or respond. In this context, it means "to answer the door." It suggests not just hearing a sound, but going to investigate and respond to it, signifying attentiveness to her duty.
• named (ὀνόματι, onomati): "By name." Luke explicitly names her, underscoring the historicity of the event and the vivid memory of those present.
• Rhoda (Ῥόδη, Rhodē): Her personal name, which means "rose." The inclusion of her specific name, despite her seemingly minor role as a servant, emphasizes the veracity of the account and the profound impression this event left on the early church, allowing for a deep connection with her personal and relatable reaction.

Words-group analysis

• knocked at the door of the gate: This phrase sets the scene immediately outside the house where the Christians are praying. The mention of a "gate" rather than just a "door" might indicate a more prominent residence, perhaps a wealthier one, allowing for a large gathering, and adding an element of security. Peter, newly freed from prison gates, is now knocking at the domestic gate, creating a vivid contrast.
• a damsel came to hearken: This highlights a typical social dynamic of the time, where servants managed the household's outer interactions. Rhoda's role as the one who "answers" the door positions her as the first point of contact and witness to Peter's arrival. The act of "hearkening" implies an expectation or attentiveness on her part to visitors.

Acts 12 13 Bonus section

The detailed mention of Rhoda (whose name means "Rose") not only adds authenticity to the historical account but also showcases Luke's care for including individuals who might otherwise be overlooked, subtly valuing the role of servants and women in the early Christian community. This particular scene also profoundly illustrates the human tendency towards disbelief even when prayers are explicitly answered; Rhoda's initial, unbridled joy and insistence stood in stark contrast to the initial skepticism of the other believers. It reminds us that sometimes, those closest to the action might struggle to fully grasp the magnitude of God's direct intervention. The narrative serves as a subtle yet powerful encouragement: fervent prayer is indeed effective, even if the answer takes us by complete surprise.

Acts 12 13 Commentary

Acts 12:13 is a concise yet pivotal verse, marking the immediate aftermath of a divine miracle. It acts as the threshold between God's mighty deliverance and the human reaction to it. Peter's simple act of knocking—a mundane human action—underscores the astonishing nature of the divine intervention that led him there. Luke's meticulous inclusion of Rhoda, a young servant, by name adds remarkable verisimilitude to the narrative. Her ordinary position makes her extraordinary encounter even more striking, highlighting that God often reveals His works through common people in everyday settings. The specificity of her role ("to hearken") implies a dutiful attention to the household, positioning her as the unexpected initial recipient of an incredible answer to prayer, before even the praying community. This small detail prepares the reader for the surprising and almost comical reaction of the believers inside, who prayed earnestly for Peter's release but struggled to believe it when it actually occurred.