John Calvin Commentary Acts 1:14

"These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." — Acts 1:14 (ASV)

With their wives Some translate it women; and they think that he speaks of those who accompanied Christ. While I will not argue with anyone concerning this matter, I have not hesitated to prefer what I thought was more probable. I grant that the word Luke uses may be interpreted both ways.

But this is my reason why I think that he speaks rather of wives: because, since they later used to take their wives about with them, as Paul testifies (1 Corinthians 9:5), it is not likely that they were then apart. For they could more easily rest together in one place than change their lodging by frequently wandering to and fro. Secondly, since they were looking for the coming of the Holy Ghost, which was then near, what reason would there be for them to deprive their wives of such great goodness?

Peter’s wife was about to be a helper to him soon after, and we must think the same of the rest of the wives. These women needed heroic fortitude and constancy, so that they would not faint. Who, therefore, would think that they were excluded from their husbands while they awaited the coming of the Spirit?

But if they insist on the general word, it stands to reason that there were married women in the company. In any case, it is Luke’s intention to tell us incidentally how greatly their minds had changed. For whereas before the men, being afraid, had fled, the women are now gathered together with them, nor do they fear any danger.

He includes the mother of Jesus with the other women, whom John, nevertheless, is said to have kept at his own house. But, as I have said before, they met together now only for a short time, for there is no doubt that they separated from each other afterwards. It is well known that among the Hebrews all relatives are comprehended under this word brethren.

All these did continue. Here he shows that they diligently awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. For this was the reason for their prayer: that Christ would send his Spirit, as he had promised. From this we may gather that this is the true faith which stirs us up to call upon God.

For the security of faith differs greatly from sluggishness. Nor does God, therefore, assure us of this grace so that our minds might immediately become careless, but rather so that he may sharpen our desire to pray. Nor is prayer any sign of doubting, but rather a testimony of our (sure hope and) confidence, because we ask those things from the Lord which we know he has promised.

So it is also fitting for us (after their example) to be persistent in prayer, and to beg from God that he will increase his Holy Spirit in us: increase, (I say,) because before we can conceive any prayer we must have the first-fruits of the Spirit. Inasmuch as he is the only Master who teaches us to pray correctly, who not only gives us utterance (Romans 2:25), but also governs our inner affections.

Furthermore, Luke expresses two things that are characteristic of true prayer: namely, that they persisted, and that they were all of one mind. This was an exercise of their patience, in that Christ made them wait a while, when he could have immediately sent the Holy Spirit. So God often delays and, as it were, allows us to languish, so that he may accustom us to persevere.

The hastiness of our petitions is a corrupt, indeed a harmful plague; therefore it is no wonder if God sometimes corrects it. Meanwhile (as I have said) he trains us to be constant in prayer. Therefore, if we do not want to pray in vain, let us not be wearied by the delay.

Concerning the unity of their minds, it is set against that dispersion which fear had caused before. Nevertheless, we may easily gather, even from this, how necessary it is to pray generally, in that Christ commands everyone to pray for the whole body, and generally for all people, as it were, in the person of all people: Our Father, Give us this day, etc. (Matthew 6:9). From where comes this unity of their tongues but from one Spirit?

Therefore, when Paul wished to prescribe to the Jews and Gentiles a correct form of prayer, he removes far away all division and dissension. That we may, (he says) being all of one mind, with one mouth glorify God (Romans 15:6). And truly it is necessary that we be brethren, and agree together as brethren, so that we rightly call God Father.