Rhoda (biblical figure)
Rhoda (
Biblical account
Rhoda (whose
Scholarly interpretation
Peter had walked out of a prison chained to, and guarded by, Roman soldiers and confined behind secure walls; yet he was unable to get past a gate because a servant girl was too excited to open it for him. Christian historian Jaroslav Pelikan suggests that it is "difficult not to smile when reading this little anecdote,"[2] while biblical scholar F. F. Bruce says that the scene is "full of vivid humor."[3] Pastor and theologian John Gill surmised that Rhoda recognized Peter's voice because she had "often heard him preach and converse [with Mary's] family".[4] However, theologians Donald Fay Robinson and Warren M. Smaltz have suggested that the incident involving Rhoda really represents an idealized account of the death of St. Peter, which may have occurred in a Jerusalem prison in 44 AD.[5]
Bruce Malina and John J. Pilch note that "Rhoda's behavior, both the surprised absentmindedness and the running, are considered humorous."[6] Margaret Aymer takes this further and suggests that the humor is due to Rhoda's low social status and enslavement. Aymer states that "Rhoda reminds us that, even in the Christian assembly, class oppression continues."[7]
Writing from a
See also
References
- ^ Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Rhoda.
- ^ Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2005), 148.
- ^ F. F. Bruce, Commentary on the Book of the Acts (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 251.
- ^ Gill, J. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, (http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/acts/12.htm) accessed 31 August 2015
- ^ Robinson, D. F., 'Where and When did Peter die?', Journal of Biblical Literature Vol 64 (1945), supported by Smaltz, W. M., Did Peter die in Jerusalem?, Journal of Biblical Literature Vol. 71, No. 4 (Dec. 1952), pp. 211-216 accessed 31 August 2015
- Fortress Press. p. 85.
- ^ Aymer, Margaret (2012). "Acts of the Apostles". Women's Bible Commentary. 3rd: 536–546.
- ^ a b Chambers, Kathy (2004). "'Knock, knock--Who's there?' Acts 12.6-17 as a comedy of errors". In Levine, Amy-Jill (ed.). A Feminist Companion to the Acts of the Apostles. T&T Clark.