And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (12) 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. (13) And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. (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. (15) And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. (16) But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. (17) But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
This interview must have been particularly interesting. The Lord which brought Peter from the prison, no doubt directed his steps to the house of Mary the mother of Mark. See Colossians 4:10. Here he found many of the Church at prayer for him (see Acts 12:5). The knocking at such an hour, and at such a time, as the night before the intended execution of Peter, must have excited wonderful apprehensions. Who shall describe what the different party felt? It seems they were all panic struck; for none ventured to go to the gate. At length a damsel went, perhaps chosen for this purpose, that whoever it was knocking, the voice of a mere child, might not convey an idea, that there was any fear within. Ye people of God! judge ye, for I cannot explain, how these things, and similar ones, sometimes operate in life. Oh! what a world of wonders will be explained at the great day of account! The name of Rhoda, which signifies Rose, would not have been memorable but from this circumstance. The situation of Peter, however, compelled him to be importunate. And when at length they opened the door, (for it should seem that the whole party went to do it), what surprise it must have occasioned!
But, Reader! the grand point remains to be considered. Do not overlook, the blessed answers to prayer in Peter's deliverance. So gracious, so abundantly gracious was the Lord in this event, that they who were so earnest in prayers, did not believe the thing was done, when answers came to their prayers: so that the Lord far exceeded all their expectations. And oh! how often, both before and since, hath the Lord done so by all his people! See a beautiful proof of it in the Church of old, Psalms 126:1 throughout.