Acts 12:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Recognizing Peter's voice, Rhoda is so overjoyed that she leaves the gate shut and runs inside with the news.
What Does Acts 12:14 Mean?
She knows the voice before she sees the face — Peter was no stranger in that house. Joy outruns sense: she leaves the apostle standing in a dangerous street, gate still barred, and dashes in to announce him. Luke tells it with affectionate humor.
'She opened not the gate for gladness' — much as Luke wrote of the disciples on Easter evening, who 'believed not for joy' (Luke 24:41). Some news is too good to act on calmly. Rhoda's delight, even in its fumbling, is the right first response to answered prayer; composure can come later. Joy that runs to tell somebody is already a kind of witness, and hers is the gladdest moment in the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 12:14
What does Acts 12:14 mean?
Recognizing Peter's voice, Rhoda is so overjoyed that she leaves the gate shut and runs inside with the news.