The Meaning of Acts 12:13 Explained

Acts 12:13

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

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

Darby: And when he had knocked at the door of the entry, a maid came to listen, by name Rhoda;

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

Discover Acts 12:13

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Acts 12:13?

MEANING: What does Acts 12:13 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Acts 12:13 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Acts 12:13?

What is the context of Acts 12:13?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Acts 12:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 12:13-25 - Beyond Their Faith

Mark's mother was evidently a woman of property, as her house was large enough to receive the many who felt that prayer was the key to open Peter's prison. Rhoda is Rose. Her portrait has charmed every generation. It is so lifelike and natural. How good for every servant-maid to love the devotional meeting, and to be welcomed to it! Christianity had introduced a new spirit into the world. How often our deliverances seem too good to be true! These praying friends of Peter would not believe the maid, though she told them that their prayers were answered. This proves that while their faith was very imperfect, their request was granted. When we believe not, God remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself, 2 Timothy 2:13. The James mentioned in Acts 12:17 was the brother of our Lord, and afterward head of the church in Jerusalem, Acts 15:13. See James 1:1.

What a contrast between Peter's deliverance and Herod's death! Be not afraid of the reproach of men, for "the moth shall eat them up like a garment," Isaiah 51:8. During these happenings Paul and Barnabas were in Jerusalem, and in after years their minds must often have reverted to them. Probably Paul's remembrance of this incident inspired his constant request for prayer in his own behalf, Ephesians 6:18-20.

For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 12

¹ King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter;
⁶ whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church
²⁰ Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God,
²³ is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably
²⁴ After his death, the word of God prospers
²⁵ Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch

Greek Commentary for Acts 12:13

When he knocked at the door of the gate [κρουσαντος αυτου την τυραν του πυλωνος]
Genitive absolute with aorist active participle of κρουω krouō common verb to knock or knock at. So from the outside (Luke 13:25). Πυλων Pulōn here is the gateway or passageway from the door (τυρα thura) that leads to the house. In Acts 12:14 it is still the passageway without the use of τυρα thura (door, so for both door and passageway). [source]

To answer [υπακουσαι]
To listen under before opening. First aorist active infinitive of υπακουω hupakouō common verb to obey, to hearken. A maid (παιδισκη paidiskē). Portress as in John 18:17. A diminutive of παις pais a female slave (so on an ostracon of second century a.d., Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 200). Rhoda. A rose. Women can have such beautiful names like Dorcas (Gazelle), Euodia (Sweet Aroma), Syntyche (Good Luck). Mark or Peter could tell Luke her name. [source]

A maid [παιδισκη]
Portress as in John 18:17. A diminutive of παις pais a female slave (so on an ostracon of second century a.d., Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 200). [source]

Rhoda []
. A rose. Women can have such beautiful names like Dorcas (Gazelle), Euodia (Sweet Aroma), Syntyche (Good Luck). Mark or Peter could tell Luke her name. [source]

Door of the gate []
The small outside door, forming the entrance from the street, and opening into the πυλών , or door way, the passage from the street into the court. Others explain it as the wicket, a small door in the larger one, which is less probable. [source]

A damsel [παιδίσκη]
Or maid. The word was used of a young female slave, as well as of a young girl or maiden generally. The narrative implies that she was more than a mere menial, if a servant at all. Her prompt recognition of Peter's voice, and her joyful haste, as well as the record of her name, indicate that she was one of the disciples gathered for prayer. [source]

Rhoda []
Rose. The Jews frequently gave their female children the names of plants and flowers: as Susannah (lily); Esther (myrtle); Tamar (palm-tree). “God, who leaves in oblivion names of mighty conquerors, treasures up that of a poor girl, for his church in all ages” (Quesnel). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 12:13

John 18:17 The damsel [ἡ παιδίσκη]
See on Acts 12:13. [source]

Acts 16:16 Damsel []
See on Acts 12:13. [source]

Acts 14:13 The gates [πυλῶνας]
What gates are intended is uncertain. Some say, the city gates; others, the temple gates; and others, the doors of the house in which Paul and Barnabas were residing. See on Acts 12:13. [source]

Revelation 21:12 Gates [πυλῶνας]
Properly large gates. See on Luke 16:20; see on Acts 12:13. Compare Ezekiel 48:30sqq. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 12:13 mean?

Having knocked then of him [at] the door of the gate came a girl to answer named Rhoda

κρούσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ τὴν θύραν τοῦ πυλῶνος προσῆλθεν παιδίσκη ὑπακοῦσαι ὀνόματι Ῥόδη

κρούσαντος	Having knocked
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: κρούω Sense: to knock: at the door.
αὐτοῦ	of him
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τὴν	[at] the
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θύραν	door
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: θύρα Sense: a door.
τοῦ	of the
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πυλῶνος	gate
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: πυλών Sense: a large gate: of a palace.
προσῆλθεν	came
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: προσέρχομαι Sense: to come to, approach.
παιδίσκη	a girl
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: παιδίσκη Sense: a young girl, damsel.
ὑπακοῦσαι	to answer
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: ὑπακούω Sense: to listen, to harken.
ὀνόματι	named
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular Root: ὄνομα Sense: name: univ.
Ῥόδη	Rhoda
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: Ῥόδη Sense: the name of a certain maid servant.

What are the major concepts related to Acts 12:13?

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Similar Scriptures for Acts 12:13

		Acts 12:16 [3]
		Luke 13:25 [2]
		John 18:16-17 [2]