Acts 12:14

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) She opened not the gate for gladness.—The slave, it would seem, had shared the anxiety and borne her part in the prayers of the Church; and the eager desire to tell the good news that their prayers had been answered overpowers her presence of mind. There is something characteristic of the writer in this analysis of a state of consciousness. (See Note on Acts 12:9, and Luke 24:14.)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:12-19 God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

She opened not the gate - At this time of night, and in these circumstances, the door would be fastened. Christians were doubtless alarmed by the death of James and the imprisonment of Peter, and they would take all possible precautions for their own safety.

For gladness - In her joy she hastened to inform those who were assembled of the safety of Peter.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. opened not for gladness, but ran in and told, &c.—How exquisite is this touch of nature!

Matthew Poole's Commentary

She opened not the gate for gladness; as one from herself, not knowing what to do for gladness. Great and sudden passions have caused strange ecstasies, and death itself sometimes; the spirits in grief flowing too fast unto the heart to fortify it, and in joy leaving the heart as fast, to meet the object that causeth it.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when she knew Peter's voice,.... often heard him preach and converse in the family:

she opened not the gate for gladness, filled with joy to hear his voice, and that he was delivered from prison, and in haste to carry the welcome news to the company within, stayed not to open the gate, and let Peter in:

but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate: she went into the house in a great hurry, and related to them within, that Peter was at the door without.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 12:14. τῆς χαρᾶς: with article, the joy which she felt at the voice of Peter, cf. Luke 24:41 for the same emphatic expression.—εἰσδ.: see above on Acts 12:10, only here in N.T., cf. 2Ma 5:26.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. And when she knew Peter’s voice] We know that his speech was the cause of his being recognized on a previous occasion (Matthew 26:73).

she opened not the gate for gladness] Cp. with this action the description of the disciples (Luke 24:41) when they recognized Jesus, “they believed not for joy.”

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 12:14. Εἰσδραμοῦσα, having run in) speedily.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - Joy for gladness, A.V.; that for how, A.V. When she knew Peter's voice. This evidence of Peter's intimacy with the family of Mary is in remarkable agreement with 1 Peter 5:13, "Greet Marcus my son." Acts 12:14

Vincent's Word Studies

She knew

Or recognized.