Rhoda (servant)

The Joyful Servant Girl

The early churchServant

Rhoda was a servant in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, in Jerusalem. She is known for recognizing the voice of the apostle Peter at the gate after his miraculous release from prison, but was so overwhelmed with joy that she forgot to open the door for him.

Key events

Recognizes Peter's Voice

When Peter knocked at the gate after being freed from prison by an angel, Rhoda came to open it. She recognized Peter's voice and was filled with joy.

13When he knocked at the outer door, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
κρούσαντος δὲ ⸀αὐτοῦ τὴν θύραν τοῦ πυλῶνος προσῆλθε παιδίσκη ὑπακοῦσαι ὀνόματι Ῥόδη,
14Recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that instead of opening the gate she ran in and announced that Peter was standing outside.
καὶ ἐπιγνοῦσα τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ Πέτρου ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς οὐκ ἤνοιξεν τὸν πυλῶνα, εἰσδραμοῦσα δὲ ἀπήγγειλεν ἑστάναι τὸν Πέτρον πρὸ τοῦ πυλῶνος.

Forgets to Open the Door

In her great joy upon hearing Peter's voice, Rhoda forgot to open the gate and instead ran inside to tell the others that Peter was standing outside.

14Recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that instead of opening the gate she ran in and announced that Peter was standing outside.
καὶ ἐπιγνοῦσα τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ Πέτρου ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς οὐκ ἤνοιξεν τὸν πυλῶνα, εἰσδραμοῦσα δὲ ἀπήγγειλεν ἑστάναι τὸν Πέτρον πρὸ τοῦ πυλῶνος.
15"You are out of your mind," they told her. But she kept insisting it was so, and they said, "It is his angel."
οἱ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὴν εἶπαν· Μαίνῃ. ἡ δὲ διϊσχυρίζετο οὕτως ἔχειν. οἱ δὲ ἔλεγον· Ὁ ἄγγελός ⸂ἐστιν αὐτοῦ⸃.

Not Believed

When Rhoda told those who were praying that Peter was at the gate, they did not believe her and said she was out of her mind. They thought it must be his angel.

15"You are out of your mind," they told her. But she kept insisting it was so, and they said, "It is his angel."
οἱ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὴν εἶπαν· Μαίνῃ. ἡ δὲ διϊσχυρίζετο οὕτως ἔχειν. οἱ δὲ ἔλεγον· Ὁ ἄγγελός ⸂ἐστιν αὐτοῦ⸃.

Peter Confirms Her Testimony

Peter continued to knock, and when they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. Rhoda's testimony proved to be true.

16Meanwhile Peter kept on knocking. When they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded.
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἐπέμενεν κρούων· ἀνοίξαντες δὲ εἶδαν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐξέστησαν.

Mentioned in the Bible (1)