What about Rhoda? Acts 12:12-17

Everybody makes fun of Rhoda. After his miraculous escape from jail, Peter knocks at the "door of the gate" outside Mary's house. Rhoda, a slave girl, comes to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, she runs inside to tell the others that Peter was standing at the gate. So moved by joy is she, that she abandons Peter outside while she tells the others.

Poor Peter keeps on knocking while the other disciples refuse to believe Rhoda. They call her crazy. They say she's seen Peter's angel. (But wouldn't that be something?) And Peter keeps knocking. Apparently, Rhoda never thinks to bring Peter in to make her point. Finally, the others hear Peter and open the gate for him.

Read this way, Rhoda provides a case study for literary criticism of Acts. Like other ancient writers, Luke clearly enjoys spicing his stories with humor that draws upon common stereotypes. For example, consider the superstitious Lycaonians who mistake Barnabas and Paul for Zeus and Hermes (Acts 14:8-18). Because Rhoda is a servant and a woman, she's an easy mark for Luke. Foolish and impulsive, she fits a well recognized character type. So the reading goes.

But wait a minute. Foolish? Rhoda knows Peter's voice. She's not fooled. Impulsive? She runs from joy, the most appropriate response to Peter's deliverance. It's common wisdom, though uncommonly practiced: first things first. Message before person. So Rhoda, who testifies to the message. She opens the path for them to demonstrate faith (see Luke 24:10-11). Rhoda, hearing Peter's voice, believes. They, hearing hers, do not. So Rhoda.