Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction: Rode is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. She is a servant girl who plays a small yet significant role in the narrative of the early Christian church. Her account is a testament to the miraculous works of God and the faith of the early believers.
Biblical Account: Rode is mentioned in
Acts 12:12-15. The context of her account is the miraculous release of the Apostle Peter from prison. Her name, sometimes rendered as "Rhoda" in other translations, means "rose" in Greek, which may suggest her youthful and vibrant character.
Scripture Reference (Acts 12:12-15): "When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying. He knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rode came to answer it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, 'Peter is standing at the gate!' 'You are out of your mind,' they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, 'It is his angel.'"
Context and Significance: Rode's encounter occurs during a time of intense persecution of the early church. King Herod Agrippa had arrested Peter, intending to bring him to trial after the Passover. The church was fervently praying for Peter's release, and their prayers were answered when an angel of the Lord freed him from prison.
Rode's role, though brief, highlights several key themes in the early church:
1.
Faith and Joy: Rode's immediate recognition of Peter's voice and her overwhelming joy reflect a deep faith and expectation of God's intervention. Her reaction underscores the joy that accompanies answered prayers and the presence of God’s miracles.
2.
Human Nature and Doubt: Despite the church's earnest prayers, the initial disbelief of the gathered believers when Rode announced Peter's presence illustrates a common human tendency to doubt even when praying for divine intervention. This moment serves as a reminder of the need for faith and trust in God's power.
3.
Role of Women in the Early Church: Rode's presence in the narrative, along with other women mentioned in Acts, indicates the active participation of women in the early Christian community. Although she was a servant, her role in the account is pivotal, demonstrating that God uses individuals from all walks of life to fulfill His purposes.
Theological Implications: Rode's account is a reminder of the power of prayer and the reality of God's miraculous interventions. It encourages believers to maintain faith and expectancy, even when circumstances seem dire. Her experience also serves as a call to recognize and celebrate the diverse roles within the body of Christ, affirming that every member, regardless of status, is valuable in God's kingdom.
Conclusion: While Rode's mention in the Bible is brief, her account is rich with lessons on faith, joy, and the power of prayer. Her encounter with Peter at the gate remains a cherished narrative within the Christian tradition, illustrating the vibrant faith of the early church and the miraculous workings of God in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp.) of Ride.
2. (n.) Redness; complexion.
3. (v.) imp. of Ride.
4. (n.) See Rood, the cross.
Greek
4498. Rhode -- Rhoda, a servant girl ... Rhoda. Probably for rhode (a rose);
Rode, a servant girl -- Rhoda. (
rode) --
1 Occurrence. 4497, 4498. Rhode. 4499 . Strong's Numbers.
Strong's Hebrew
7392. rakab -- to mount and ride, ride... 2), lead (1), led (1), mounted (4), pace (1), placed (1), put (2), ridden (2), ride
(17), rider (7), riders (5), rides (5), riding (15),
rode (9),
rode in a
... 5248. Nimrod -- a son of Cush and founder of the Bab. kingdom
... a son of Cush and founder of the Bab. kingdom. Transliteration: Nimrod or Nimrod
Phonetic Spelling: (nim-rode') Short Definition: Nimrod. ...
1261. barod -- spotted, marked
... 1260, 1261. barod. 1262 . spotted, marked. Transliteration: barod Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-rode') Short Definition: mottled. Word ...
6171. arod -- a wild donkey
... 6170, 6171. arod. 6172 . a wild donkey. Transliteration: arod Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-rode') Short Definition: donkey. Word Origin ...
Library
Wesley and the Sunshine
... and the Sunshine. Thursday, 24."We rode in less than four hours the eight
miles (so called) to Newell Hay [from Bolton]. Just as ...
A Busy Week
... Week. Monday, June 15."l rode to Durham, having appointed to preach there
at noon. ... congregation. In the afternoon I rode to Hartlepool. ...
Apprenticeship Customs
... many of them to the breast. Tuesday, May 8."I rode [from Stockton] to
Robinhood's Bay, near Whitby. The town is very remarkably ...
Preaching to a Press-Gang
... Thursday, March 11."I rode to Pill and preached to a large and attentive
congregation. A great part of them were seafaring men. ...
Wesley in Wales
... Tuesday, 20."Expecting to preach at Aberdare, sixteen Welsh miles from Cardiff,
I rode thither over the mountains. ... It rained incessantly all the way we rode. ...
A Sermon and Congregation to Order
... Doubting whether Mr. Grant had come home, Mr. Kershaw called at the Grange Green,
near Forres, while I rode forward. Mr. Grant soon called me back. ...
"I am John Wesley"
... hill and are resolved to have you: they have a special warrant from the justices
met at Helstone, who will stay there till you are brought." I rode directly up ...
Gwennap's Famous Amphitheater
... anything intelligibly. So, after walking a while to and fro, he wisely
took horse and rode away. Friday, 12."I rode to St. Hilary ...
Wesley's Horses Give Trouble
... We were four hours riding to Ferry Hill, about twenty measured miles. After resting
there an hour we rode softly on; and, at two o'clock, came to Darlington. ...
A Rough Voyage
... Tuesday, 25."I rode over to Kingswood and inquired particularly into the state of
our school there. ... Saturday, 9."I rode slowly forward to Berwick. ...
Thesaurus
Rode (22 Occurrences)...Rode (22 Occurrences). Luke 19:36 So He
rode on, while they carpeted the road with
their garments. (WEY RSV).
... They
rode on the camels, and followed the man.
...Mounted (32 Occurrences)
... They rode on the camels, and followed the man. ... Not a man of them escaped from there,
except four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled. (See RSV). ...
Donkey (84 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty
cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of ...
Jair (14 Occurrences)
... He is said to have had 30 sons, who rode on 30 ass colts, and who had as many cities,
known as Havvoth-jair (Judges 10:3, 4). One tradition identifies (a) and ...
Ladies (8 Occurrences)
... Ladies (8 Occurrences). Genesis 24:61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on
the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way. ...
Flew (10 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). 2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes ... (WEB WBS NAS
RSV NIV). Psalms 18:10 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes ...
Damsels (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels,
and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. ...
Maids (28 Occurrences)
... (Root in KJV NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 24:61 And Rebecca arose, and her maids,
and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man. And ...
Colts (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty
cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of ...
Soared (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Soared (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub,
and flew. ... (See NIV). Psalms 18:10 He rode on a cherub, and flew. ...
Resources
Why would a king ride a donkey instead of a warhorse (Zechariah 9:9-10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the triumphal/triumphant entry? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon? | GotQuestions.orgRode: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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