Rhoda

Biblical Account

Rhoda appears only in Acts 12. After King Herod had put James the son of Zebedee to death and imprisoned Peter, the church offered earnest prayer for him (Acts 12:1–5). This Herod is commonly identified as Herod Agrippa I. Led out of prison by an angel, Peter went to "the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying" (12:12).

When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, "a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda" (12:13). The Korean Revised Version renders the term gyejip ai ("girl"), and the New Korean Revised Version yeoja ai ("young girl"). Recognizing Peter's voice, Rhoda was so overjoyed that she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter stood outside (12:14). The people said to her, "Thou art mad," but she "constantly affirmed that it was even so." Then they said, "It is his angel" (12:15). As Peter continued knocking, they opened the door, saw him, and were astonished (12:16). Scripture records nothing further about Rhoda.

Significance Within Scripture

The story of Rhoda vividly shows that Peter was standing at the door at the very moment the church was praying for him. Those who were praying could not immediately believe that their prayer had been answered, and among the unnamed people gathered there, a single girl bore witness to the truth. This contrast drives the narrative.

Interpretations and Points of Discussion

• Social status: The Greek word used (paidiskē) usually denotes a young female servant or maid. Many interpreters therefore regard Rhoda as a servant in the household, although the text does not explicitly describe her status.
• "His angel": Some take this expression to reflect the Jewish belief of the time that each person had a guardian angel; others understand it as referring to Peter's spirit or soul. Interpretations differ.
• Comparison with the resurrection account: Some scholars compare this scene with Luke 24, where the women reported the news of the resurrection but the apostles did not believe them. In both scenes, the testimony of women is at first rejected.
• Stories beyond the text: Scripture says nothing about Rhoda's age, later life, or religious activities. Stories about these matters should be distinguished as later imaginative additions or embellishments introduced in preaching.

In the Korean Church

In Korean preaching, this passage is frequently used in sermons on intercessory prayer and answered prayer. It is especially cited as an example that invites reflection on those who "prayed yet could not believe the answer." In Sunday school, Rhoda is often introduced along with the story of Peter's release from prison.