Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Acts 12:14. It’s a little bit mysterious, but it’s about a woman who was very interested in Peter and trying to get information about him. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Woman is Curious: A woman named Lois was overseeing a group of Christians in Ephesus (a city in Asia). She became very curious about Peter, who was preaching and speaking passionately. She Heard His Voice: Lois heard Peter speak, and she noticed he was saying something – it sounded like he was standing before the gate. She Closed the Gate: Instead of being happy for him to be there, Lois acted quickly and closed the gate completely . This is a very unusual thing to do! She Ran to Tell Peter: She then ran to Peter and told him everything she knew – that he was standing before the gate. What it Means Figuratively (and possibly literally): This story isn't about Peter himself being physically blocked from speaking. It’s a metaphor for something happening within the Christian community. It suggests: Peter’s Influence: Lois, in her curiosity, was trying to influence or control Peter. She might have been worried about his message or his impact on the Christians. A Challenge to Peter: By closing the gate, Lois was essentially saying, "Don't speak! Don't preach! I don’t want you to be seen." It was a way of limiting Peter’s ministry and potentially hindering the church’s growth. In short, it’s about someone trying to stop something important happening – a powerful message. Important Note: The exact reason for Lois’ actions is not explicitly stated in the Bible. It's a snapshot of a difficult situation where a leader tried to hinder the spread of God’s word. --- Do you want me to: Explain another biblical verse? Discuss the significance of this story within the context of the book of Acts?