Rhoda
“Rose”
Summary
Rhoda was a servant-maid in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, who announced Peter's arrival at the door after his miraculous release from prison.
☩Peter's Deliverance
When Peter was miraculously released from Herod's prison by an angel, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered praying. A young maid named Rhoda came to answer his knock at the outer gate. On recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overcome with joy that she forgot to open the door, and instead ran back to tell the others the news. The name Rhoda means "rose" in Greek and was a common slave name, suggesting she may have been a servant or Christian slave in Mary's household.
☩The Response to Her Report
When Rhoda reported that Peter was standing at the gate, those gathered in prayer refused to believe her, saying, "Thou art mad." When she persisted in her declaration, they said it must be "his angel," reflecting the Jewish belief that each person had a guardian angel who could assume their appearance. Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking at the gate. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. The narrative captures a moment of human frailty and unbelief even in the midst of answered prayer, along with the simple joy and excitement of a servant girl.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rhoda," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rhoda," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Rhoda," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rhoda," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).