The physician Luke wrote how Peter, “was kept in prison”, and after an angel led him out, “Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda”, and in chapter twelve and verse fourteen of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when she knew Peter's voice” which means “and at the time and moment Rhoda perceived, noticed and discerned the sound and tone of uttered words from Peter whose name means a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples”, “she opened not the gate” or “Rhoda did not open up the large part of the entry porch of the house” “for gladness” which means “because, since and on account that she was joyful and cheerful”. Luke shared how “Rhoda” perceived “Peter's voice” at the “gate”, and she became so joyful that she did not “open” the “gate” for him.
The verse continues, “... but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.” Luke added the words, “but ran in” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover hurried into the house”, “and told how Peter” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed the way Peter whose name means a little rock or stone and was a disciple of Jesus” “stood before the gate” which means “was standing in front of the large part of the entry porch of the house”. Luke shared how “Rhoda” left the “gate” where “Peter” was knocking and ran inside the house to tell how “Peter” was standing at the front entry “gate” of the home.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Rhoda” recognized “Peter” was at the “gate” of “Mary's house”, and she became so excited that she left him there, ran into the house and simply told the people inside that “Peter” was at the “gate”. We shall see how the people in Mary's home respond to “Rhoda” in our next verse, but for now, let us be mindful of the fact that people in the house were “praying” for “Peter”. The “prayers” of the people were answered by God, and “Peter” was “rescued”. “Rhoda” knew it, and soon those within “Mary's” home would know it too. God wants everyone to be “rescued” from the power of sin and death, and those who surrender themselves to His Son Jesus Christ will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life that will bring joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)
Next time Luke shares how the people in the house told Rhoda, “you are mad”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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