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Acts 12:14

in Acts 12

When 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!”

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate.

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.

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This verse in Acts 12

Commentary

9 notes on this verse

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Acts · Written before 1107.

Notice the reverence of the servant girl: "from joy," it says, "she did not open." But this turned out beautifully, for otherwise the rest, astonished by his unexpected appearance, would perhaps not have believed that it was he, since even as it was they did …

This site's exposition

the house of Mary the mother of John

on Acts 12:12-14

Peter goes to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter is left standing outside, and the church is praying for what it cannot yet believe has happened.

This site's exposition

When she recognized Peter’s voice

Rhoda was so overjoyed at Peter's voice that she left him at the gate. Luke records the same mixture at Luke 24:41, where the disciples could hardly believe for joy. Gladness outruns action in both scenes.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 26 · Written before 407.

proposed

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness. Mark even the servant-girls, how full of piety they are. But ran in, just as we are wont to do, she was eager to be herself the bringer of the good tidings, for good news it was indeed.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 26 · Written before 407.

proposed

And mark how the very servant-girls were henceforth upon an equality with them. "For joy," it says, "she opened not." This too is well done, that they likewise may not be amazed by seeing him at once, and that they may be incredulous, and their minds may be exercised.

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

And when she knew Peter's voice,.... often heard him preach and converse in the family: she opened not the gate for gladness, filled with joy to hear his voice, and that he was delivered from prison, and in haste to carry the welcome news to the company within, stayed not to open the gate, and let Peter in: but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate: she went into the house in a great hurry, and related to them within, that Peter was at the door without.

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

But, when she spoke of Peter's being there, they said, " Thou art mad; it is impossible it should be he, for he is in prison." Sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for we are most backward to believe, because we are afraid of imposing upon ourselves, as the disciples, who, when Christ had risen, believed not for joy.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

She opened not the gate - At this time of night, and in these circumstances, the door would be fastened. Christians were doubtless alarmed by the death of James and the imprisonment of Peter, and they would take all possible precautions for their own safety. For gladness - In her joy she hastened to inform those who were assembled of the safety of Peter.
1 more voice on this verse

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

he came to the house of Mary, &c.--who "must have had a house of some pretensions to receive a large number; and, accordingly, we read that her brother Barnabas (Col 4:10) was a person of substance (Ac 4:37). She must also have been distinguished for faith and courage to allow such a meeting in the face of persecution" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

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The words behind it

22 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

2 in all, six open

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Matthew 28:8

    So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.

    it leads to

    • Psalms 2:11

      Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

    • Mark 16:8

      So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.

    • Luke 24:36–41

      While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

    • John 16:20

      Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

    • John 20:20–21

      After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

  • Through

    Luke 24:41

    While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

    it leads to

    • John 21:5

      So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.

    • Psalms 126:1–2

      When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

    • Genesis 45:26–28

      “Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 12 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); E. H. Plumptre, The Acts of the Apostles, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 26; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.

Read on in Acts 12 →