Acts 12:14

Peter’s voice. Doubtless the young woman’s Christian love for a devoted and courageous soldier of the cross had led her to listen carefully to Peter when she had had opportunity, and she knew his voice. Then too, Peter had a touch of Galilean dialect in his speech, which had caused him to be recognized by a servant girl on a previous occasion (Matt. 26:73).

For gladness. It was not because of lack of faith, but from sheer joy, that Rhoda did not open the door for Peter. She had shared in the anxiety of the brethren for Peter and in the prayers offered in his behalf. Her eager desire to tell the good news of Peter’s escape caused her to lose her presence of mind. Similarly Luke recorded of the disciples on the evening of the resurrection that when they recognized Jesus they “believed not for joy” (Luke 24:41).