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Selected Verse: Acts 12:13 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 12:13	Strong Concordance	And [1161] as Peter [4074] knocked at [2925] the door [2374] of the gate [4440], a damsel [3814] came [4334] to hearken [5219], named [3686] Rhoda [4498].
	King James	And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
came to hearken--not to open; for neither was it a time nor an hour of night for that, but to listen who was there.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

came to hearken--not to open; for neither was it a time nor an hour of night for that, but to listen who was there.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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. See the notes on Mat 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).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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. See the notes on Mat 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).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Door of the gate The small outside door, forming the entrance from the street, and opening into the πυλών, or doorway, 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. 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. 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).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Door of the gate

The small outside door, forming the entrance from the street, and opening into the πυλών, or doorway, 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.

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.

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).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The gate - At some distance from the house; to hearken - If any knocked.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

The gate - At some distance from the house; to hearken - If any knocked.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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 Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

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.

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