Rhoda

Rhoda (meaning a rose) was a servant girl in the house of Mary the mother of John Mark in Jerusalem, where the early church had gathered to pray for Peter's release from prison (Acts 12:12–16). When Peter knocked at the gate after his miraculous escape, Rhoda recognized his voice and — overcome with joy — left him standing outside while she ran in to announce that Peter was at the door. The assembled believers disbelieved her, suggesting she was seeing his angel, while the persistent Peter continued knocking. The account preserves a vivid, humanizing detail: even in the circle of believers united in earnest prayer, faith was surprised by its own answered prayer.