📖 Biblical Definition
A young servant girl (Greek paidiske) in the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where the church was praying for Peter's release. When Peter knocked at the gate after the angel freed him, Rhoda recognized his voice, was so glad she forgot to open the gate, and ran in to tell the praying believers. They told her she was mad. Acts 12:14-15 is one of the most quietly amusing scenes in Scripture.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
RHODA, n.
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A scriptural proper name; in Acts, a servant girl in the house of Mary the mother of John Mark.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 12:13 — "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda."
Acts 12:14 — "When she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate."
Acts 12:15 — "And they said unto her, Thou art mad."
Acts 12:16 — "But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
A prayer meeting that did not believe its own answered prayer; Rhoda heard the angel-released apostle and ran in to tell skeptics.
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Acts 12:12-16 is the funniest passage in Acts and one of the most theologically pointed. The church is gathered in earnest prayer for Peter, who is in prison. The angel sets him free. He shows up at the gate. Rhoda, the servant girl, hears his voice and runs in — forgetting to let him in — to tell the prayer meeting that their prayers have been answered. Their response: thou art mad.
Modern prayer meetings have not changed much. Pray earnestly; expect God's answer; do not call the servant mad when she announces the answered prayer is at the door. Rhoda heard the apostle while the elders dismissed the report. The Lord uses small voices. Open the gate when the answer arrives.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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G4498 — Rhode — Rhoda; rose
G3814 — paidiske — maid-servant
Usage
"A prayer meeting that did not believe its own answered prayer."
"Rhoda heard the apostle while the elders dismissed the report."
"Open the gate when the answer arrives; do not call the servant mad."