And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Prayers and tears are the church's arms; therewith she fights for her friends. The delay of Peter's trial gave them time for prayer, and they pressed God fervently to snatch the lamb out of the lion's jaws. The death of James alarmed them to greater fervency; if the enemy breaks them thus with breach upon breach, what will become of Peter?
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 12:5-19
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, &c. The lesser door in the great gate, or the door of the porch through which they entered into the house. So the Jews distinguish between "the door", and "the gate"; see Jdg 18:16 where the Septuagint use the same words as here.
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. . A damsel. A girl. Came to hearken. To hear who was there. Named Rhoda. This is a Greek name signifying a rose.