These all {k} continued with {l} one accord in {m} prayer and supplication, with the {n} women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his {o} brethren.

(k) The Greek word signifies an invincible constancy and steadfastness.

(l) It is to good purpose that this agreement is mentioned: for those prayers are most acceptable to God which are made with agreeing minds and wills.

(m) The disciples prayed for the sending of the Holy Spirit, and also to be delivered from present dangers, of which there were many that they were experiencing.

(n) For it was appropriate to have the wives strengthened and encouraged who would afterwards be partakers of the dangers with their husbands.

(o) With his relatives.

People's New Testament

1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. The latter clause is omitted in the Revised Version. They were waiting for the promise of the Father (Ac 1:4), and the time was spent in worship. There were ten days of prayer, the best preparation for the Pentecostal blessing; an example to all churches which seek an ingathering of souls.

With the women. Especially those women who had followed and ministered to the Lord, lingered at his cross, and at his tomb.

Mary. This is the last time she is named in the sacred history. Tradition reports that she lived until the near the time of the overthrow of Jerusalem.

His brethren. The sons of Joseph and Mary. One of them, James, was afterwards the James of Jerusalem and the author of the Epistle of James. See Ac 15:13 Mt 13:55. They were unbelievers six months before (Joh 7:5), but now believed. James had seen the risen Lord (1Co 15:7).

Wesley's Notes

1:14 His brethren - His near kinsmen, who for some time did not believe; it seems not till near his death.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. continued with one accord-knit by a bond stronger than death.

in prayer and supplication-for the promised baptism, the need of which in their orphan state would be increasingly felt.

and Mary the mother of Jesus-distinguished from the other "women," but "so as to exclude the idea of her having any pre-eminence over the disciples. We find her with the rest in prayer to her glorified Son" [Webster and Wilkinson]. This is the last mention of her in the New Testament. The fable of the Assumption of the Virgin has no foundation even in tradition [Alford].

with his brethren-(See on [1935]Joh 7:3).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:12-14 God can find hiding-places for his people. They made supplication. All God's people are praying people. It was now a time of trouble and danger with the disciples of Christ; but if any is afflicted, let him pray; that will silence cares and fears. They had now a great work to do, and before they entered upon it, they were earnest in prayer to God for his presence. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit, and abounded in prayer. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings, who are in a praying frame. Christ had promised shortly to send the Holy Ghost; that promise was not to do away prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. A little company united in love, exemplary in their conduct, fervent in prayer, and wisely zealous to promote the cause of Christ, are likely to increase rapidly.