Doors and Gates
THE DOOR AND THE PORCH
Location and appearance of the door. The door or gate was located in the middle of the front side of the house. This entrance was usually so arranged that nobody could see into it from the street. Sometimes a wall was built in front of it to serve this purpose.
Oriental gates, or large doors often have small doors like a panel within them. The small door is in use for ordinary occasions, and the large gate or door is opened only on extraordinary occasions.
Acts 12:13 speaks of Peter knocking "at the door of the gate," which doubtless means the smaller door within the larger gate.
[Manners And Customs of Bible Lands]
Read More about Doors and Gates