Acts 12 · Verse 13

Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Acts 12:13, King James Version

Acts 12:13 in other translations

BSBHe knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.
WEBWhen Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
ASVAnd when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda.
YLTAnd Peter having knocked at the door of the porch, there came a damsel to hearken, by name Rhoda,
DARBYAnd when he had knocked at the door of the entry, a maid came to listen, by name Rhoda;
BBEAnd he gave a blow on the door, and a young girl came to it, named Rhoda.
WebsterAnd as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

What does Acts 12:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:12-17

12-17. 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]. To such a house it was natural that Peter should come. mother of…

Read the full comment on Acts 12:12-17 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. At the door of the gate. Rather, the door of the vestibule, or principal entrance into the house. The house was entered through such a porch or vestibule, and it was the door opening into this which is here intended. Mt 9:2.

A damsel. A girl.

Came to hearken. To hear who was there.

Named Rhoda. This is a Greek name signifying a rose. It was not unusual for the Hebrews to give the names of flowers, etc., to their daughters. Thus Susanna, a lily; Hadessa, a myrtle; Tamar, a palm-tree; etc. (Grotius.)

(*) "gate" "Porch" (1) "came to hearken" "to ask who was there"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 As Peter knocked - The door was probably shut for fear of the Jews; and, as most of the houses in the east have an area before the door, it might have been at this outer gate that Peter stood knocking. A damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda - She came to inquire who was there. Rhoda signifies a rose; and it appears to have been customary with the Jews, as Grotius and others remark, to give the names of flowers and trees to their daughters: thus Susannah signifies a lily, Hadassah, a myrtle, Tamar, a palm tree, etc., etc.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 12:12-19

God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe…

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Acts 12:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

κρούσαντοςkrousantosWhen was knockingG2925
δὲdethenG1161
αὐτοῦautouheG846
τὴνtēn[at] theG3588
θύρανthurandoorG2374
τοῦtouof theG3588
πυλῶνοςpulōnosgateG4440
προσῆλθενprosēlthencameG4334
παιδίσκηpaidiskēa girlG3814
ὑπακοῦσαιhupakousaito answerG5219
ὀνόματιonomatinamedG3686
Ῥόδη·RhodēRhoda;G4498

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 12:13

  • Luke 13:25

    When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

  • Acts 12:16

    But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

  • John 18:16-17

    But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
knocked.
16; Lu 13:25
hearken. or, ask who was there.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 12:12

    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.

  • Acts 12:13

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

  • Acts 12:14

    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.

Read all of Acts 12

Acts 12:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y tocando Pedro á la puerta del patio, salió una muchacha, para escuchar, llamada Rhode:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et comme il heurtait à la porte du vestibule, une servante nommée Rhode vint pour écouter;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als er aber an der Tür des Tores klopfte, kam eine Magd, mit Namen Rhode, herbei, um zu horchen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Pulsante autem eo ostium januæ, processit puella ad audiendum, nomine Rhode.