Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 12:14
And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
14. And when she knew Peter’s voice ] We know that his speech was the cause of his being recognized on a previous occasion (Mat 26:73).
she opened not the gate for gladness ] Cp. with this action the description of the disciples (Luk 24:41) when they recognized Jesus, “they believed not for joy.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
She opened not the gate – At this time of night, and in these circumstances, the door would be fastened. Christians were doubtless alarmed by the death of James and the imprisonment of Peter, and they would take all possible precautions for their own safety.
For gladness – In her joy she hastened to inform those who were assembled of the safety of Peter.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
She opened not the gate for gladness; as one from herself, not knowing what to do for gladness. Great and sudden passions have caused strange ecstasies, and death itself sometimes; the spirits in grief flowing too fast unto the heart to fortify it, and in joy leaving the heart as fast, to meet the object that causeth it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. opened not for gladness, but ranin and told, &c.How exquisite is this touch of nature!
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when she knew Peter’s voice,…. often heard him preach and converse in the family:
she opened not the gate for gladness, filled with joy to hear his voice, and that he was delivered from prison, and in haste to carry the welcome news to the company within, stayed not to open the gate, and let Peter in:
but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate: she went into the house in a great hurry, and related to them within, that Peter was at the door without.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When she knew (). Second aorist (ingressive) active participle of , to know fully or in addition (), to recognize. She knew Peter and his voice from his frequent visits there.
For joy ( ). From her joy (ablative case), life-like picture of the maid who left Peter standing outside with the door to the passageway unopened. Note the aorist tenses for quick action ( ), (from , defective verb, only here in the N.T.), .
Stood (). Second perfect active infinitive of , intransitive, in indirect assertion with (Peter) accusative of general reference. The slave girl acted as if she were a member of the family (Furneaux), but she left Peter in peril.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
She knew. Or recognized.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when she knew Peter’s voice,” (kai epignousa ten phonen tou Petrou) “And when she recognized the voice of Peter,” whom she knew personally and for whom the church had been praying all that night, Act 12:5.
2) “She opened not the gate for gladness,” (apo tes charas ouk enoiksen ton pulona) “From elation (sheer joy) she did (not even) open the outer porch entrance door,” as the brethren of the church rejoiced in wonder at the resurrection appearance of Jesus, Luk 24:4.
3) “But ran in and told,” (eisdramousa de apingeilen) “But ran like a dromedary, as an awkward servant maid, and announced,” reported what she had heard, felt, and perhaps dimly seen in the darkness.
4) “How Peter stood before the gate,” (hestanai ton Petron pro tou pulonos) “That Peter was standing before the porch entrance,” as surely as she lived, Act 12:12-13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(14) She opened not the gate for gladness.The slave, it would seem, had shared the anxiety and borne her part in the prayers of the Church; and the eager desire to tell the good news that their prayers had been answered overpowers her presence of mind. There is something characteristic of the writer in this analysis of a state of consciousness. (See Note on Act. 12:9, and Luk. 24:14.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Ver. 14. She opened not the door for gladness ] For “fear and great joy,” as those other good women, Mat 28:8 , who had their passions; which stoics allow not in their wiseman, nor popish padres in their wretched novices.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Act 12:14 . : with article, the joy which she felt at the voice of Peter, cf. Luk 24:41 for the same emphatic expression. .: see above on Act 12:10 , only here in N.T., cf. 2Ma 5:26 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
when she knew = having recognized. Greek. epiginosko. App-132.
for = from. Greek. apo. App-104.
told = reported. Greek. apangello. Compare App-121.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Act 12:14. , having run in) speedily.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
she opened: Mat 28:8, Luk 24:41
Reciprocal: Job 9:16 – would I Psa 126:1 – we were like
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
Act 12:14. When Peter answered her question she recognized his voice. She was so joyously surprised she seemed to forget to open the door. She left Peter standing and knocking and went to tell the group that Peter was at the gate.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 12:14. And when she knew Peters voice, she opened not the gate for gladness. So eager was Rhoda, the servant, perhaps the slave, of Mary, to make the others assembled there that night partakers of the great joy she felt in beholding Peter again alive and free, that she ran back and forgot to open the door when she heard his well-known, loved voice.
This is a striking incident, and shows how the apostle was loved by all orders and ranks. Chrysostom draws attention here to the fact that slaves and servants in the early Church shared in the hopes and fears of those socially above them.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes one verse 13