Rhoda is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. Her account is brief but significant, highlighting themes of faith, joy, and the early Christian community's experiences.

Biblical Account

Rhoda appears in Acts 12:12-15 during the account of Peter's miraculous escape from prison. After King Herod Agrippa I had arrested Peter, intending to bring him to trial, the church fervently prayed for his release. An angel of the Lord intervened, freeing Peter from his chains and leading him out of the prison. Once free, Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many believers had gathered to pray.

Acts 12:13-14 states: "When he knocked at the outer gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she failed to open the gate but ran inside and announced, 'Peter is standing at the gate!'"

Rhoda's reaction is one of excitement and disbelief. Her joy at hearing Peter's voice is so overwhelming that she forgets to open the gate, instead rushing to inform the others of his presence. This moment underscores the fervent hope and expectation of the early Christians, as well as the miraculous nature of Peter's escape.

Response of the Believers

The believers' initial response to Rhoda's announcement is one of skepticism. Acts 12:15 records their reaction: "'You are out of your mind,' they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, 'It is his angel.'"

This response highlights the tension between faith and doubt within the early church. Despite their prayers for Peter's release, the believers struggle to accept the reality of the miracle when it occurs. Rhoda's insistence, however, eventually leads them to investigate, and they find Peter indeed standing at the gate.

Significance

Rhoda's role, though minor, is significant in several ways. First, she exemplifies the joy and eagerness of the early Christian community in witnessing God's miraculous works. Her immediate recognition of Peter's voice and her subsequent actions reflect a deep-seated faith and excitement.

Second, Rhoda's account illustrates the role of women in the early church. As a servant girl, she occupies a humble position, yet her actions are pivotal in the narrative. Her presence at the prayer meeting indicates the inclusivity of the early Christian gatherings, where believers of all social standings participated in communal prayer and worship.

Lastly, Rhoda's account serves as a reminder of the human tendency to doubt even in the face of divine intervention. The believers' initial disbelief contrasts with Rhoda's unwavering conviction, encouraging readers to maintain faith and recognize God's hand at work, even when it defies expectations.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural and historical context of the early church, Rhoda's account provides insight into the dynamics of Christian households and the communal nature of prayer. The house of Mary, where the believers gathered, likely served as a meeting place for the local church, reflecting the practice of house churches in the first century. Rhoda's presence as a servant girl also sheds light on the social structures of the time, where households often included extended family members and servants.

Overall, Rhoda's brief but impactful appearance in the Book of Acts offers a glimpse into the vibrant faith and communal life of the early Christians, as well as the challenges they faced in balancing faith with doubt.Rhoda

a rose

Rhoda

(rose), the name of a maid who announced Peter's arrival at the door of Mary's house after his miraculous release from prison. (Acts 12:13) (A.D. 44.)

Rhoda

Rose, a young damsel in the household of Mary mother of John Mark, when Peter was miraculously released from prison, Acts 12:13.

A rose, the damsel in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. She came to hearken when Peter knocked at the door of the gate (Acts 12:12-15). RHODA

ro'-da (Rhode, "rose"): A maid in the house of Mary the mother of John Mark. She came to answer when Peter knocked at Mary's door after his miraculous release from prison. On recognizing his voice, she so forgot herself with joy that she neglected to open the door, but ran in to tell the others the glad news. They would not believe her, thinking she was mad; and when she persisted in her statement they said it must be his angel. The Jewish belief was that each man had a guardian angel assigned to him. Peter continued knocking, and was ultimately admitted (Acts 12:12).

S. F. Hunter

4498. Rhode -- Rhoda, a servant girl
... Rhoda, a servant girl. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Rhode Phonetic
Spelling: (hrod'-ay) Short Definition: Rhoda Definition: Rhoda, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4498.htm - 6k

Rhoda
... RHODA. 'A damsel ... named Rhoda.'"Acts 12 13. 'Rhoda' means 'a rose,'
and this rose has kept its bloom for eighteen hundred ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rhoda.htm

Peter after his Escape
... Apparently he did not go into the house at all, but talked to the brethren,
when they came trooping after Rhoda to open the gate. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peter after his escape.htm

Close Relationship of Angels to their "Little Ones. "
... beyond such a position, some one will quote in opposition to us from the Acts of
the Apostles, where it is written, that a certain maid Rhoda, when Peter ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/28 close relationship of angels.htm

The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus
... Anne's house), and Rhoda, whose daughter Mara was, as I have said, now at
Ephesus. Rhoda had married far away from the home of her ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xviii the death of the.htm

Acts XII
... regarded as inevitable. (13) "And when he knocked at the door of the gate,
a servant girl named Rhoda came to hear who it was. (14) And ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xii.htm

Of Evil Angels
... Neither is it proved by the words of Rhoda, who, hearing the voice of Peter, said,
"It is his angel." We cannot infer any more from this, even suppose his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 72 of evil angels.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts
... THE MARTYRDOM OF JAMES. PETER'S DELIVERANCE FROM PRISON. THE ANGEL'S TOUCH. 'SOBER
CERTAINTY'. RHODA. PETER AFTER HIS ESCAPE. THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END. CONTENTS ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/

First Withdrawal from Herod's Territory and Return.
... xxvi.17), and Rhoda the voice of Peter (Acts 12:13), much more did the apostles
know the voice of the great Master.] ^d 21 They were willing therefore to ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxiii first withdrawal from herods 3.htm

Peter's Escape from Prison
... Mark. Now many people had gathered together there for prayer. When he knocked
at the door a girl named Rhoda came to answer. And ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/peters escape from prison.htm

Herod and Peter.
... the eve of accomplishment. At this moment, "Peter knocked at the gate; and
a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

Rhoda (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RHODA. ro'-da (Rhode, "rose"): A maid in the house
of Mary the mother of John Mark. ... Multi-Version Concordance Rhoda (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/rhoda.htm - 7k

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)

/r/rhodes.htm - 13k

Knocked (4 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda
came to answer. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/knocked.htm - 7k

Knock (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came
to answer. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/knock.htm - 11k

Gateway (40 Occurrences)
... of sores, (DBY). Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate,
a maid named Rhoda came to answer. (See RSV). Genesis 19:1 ...
/g/gateway.htm - 18k

Girl (71 Occurrences)
... replied. (WEY BBE NAS NIV). Acts 12:13 And he gave a blow on the door, and
a young girl came to it, named Rhoda. (BBE NAS NIV). Acts ...
/g/girl.htm - 28k

Wicket (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wicket (1 Occurrence). Acts 12:13 When he knocked at the
wicket in the door, a maidservant named Rhoda came to answer the knock; (WEY) ...
/w/wicket.htm - 7k

Rhinoceros

/r/rhinoceros.htm - 7k

Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... Guards in front of the door kept the prison. (See NIV). Acts 12:13 When Peter knocked
at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. (See NIV). ...
/e/entrance.htm - 37k

Entry (36 Occurrences)
... entreated Him. (WEY). Acts 12:13 And when he had knocked at the door of the
entry, a maid came to listen, by name Rhoda; (DBY). Acts 12 ...
/e/entry.htm - 18k

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