Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 12:13

"And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda." — Acts 12:13 (ASV)

A damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.—The mention of the name of the slave indicates St. Luke’s care in ascertaining details, as far as his opportunities allowed. The office of opening the door to strangers was commonly assigned, as in the case even of the high priest’s palace (Matthew 26:69, 71), to a female slave. The name, which means “a rose,” is of the same class as Tamar = a palm tree; Deborah = a bee; Margarita = a pearl; Dorcas = an antelope.