“On recognizing Peter’s voice,
Rhoda was so overjoyed
That instead of opening
The gate,
She ran in
And announced
That Peter was standing
At the gate.”
καὶ ἐπιγνοῦσα τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ Πέτρου ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς οὐκ ἤνοιξεν τὸν πυλῶνα, εἰσδραμοῦσα δὲ ἀπήγγειλεν ἑστάναι τὸν Πέτρον πρὸ τοῦ πυλῶνος.
The author of Acts indicated that on recognizing (καὶ ἐπιγνοῦσα) Peter’s voice (τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ Πέτρου), the young maid servant Rhoda was so overjoyed or filled with joy (ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς). Instead of opening the gate (οὐκ ἤνοιξεν τὸν πυλῶνα), she ran in (εἰσδραμοῦσα) and announced (δὲ ἀπήγγειλεν) that Peter (τὸν Πέτρον) was standing (ἑστάναι) at the gate (πρὸ τοῦ πυλῶνος). Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word εἰσδραμοῦσα, that means to run in or run into. This servant girl Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice, so that she knew who he was. She was so happy that she forgot to open the gate. Instead, she went in to tell everyone that Peter was standing at the gate. This sounds like it is morning time. Have you ever been so excited you forgot to do your normal chores?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 