Rhoda
Israelite / Jew Of the household of Mary, mother of John Mark, in Jerusalem · Early Church · New Testament
- Name means
- 'rose'
- Role
- Servant girl who answered the door to Peter
- When
- c. AD 44
What they did
When Peter, freed from prison by an angel, knocked at the gate where the church was praying, she knew his voice and for gladness ran in to tell them without opening the gate.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Her joy shows that God answers the prayers of his people, sometimes before they can believe it.
And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. Acts 12:14 (KJV)
Bible references
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. Acts 12:12-13 (KJV)
And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. Acts 12:14 (KJV)
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. Acts 12:15-16 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.