12:12 {5} And when he had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
(5) Holy meetings in the nights of both men and women (when they cannot take place in the day time) are allowable by the example of the apostles.
12:12 Came to the house of Mary. This Mary was the mother of Mark, called in Acts both John and Mark. See Ac 13:5,13 15:39 She was related to Barnabas (Col 4:10).
Many were assembled together praying. For Peter's deliverance.
12:12 And having considered - What was best to be done. Many were gathered together - At midnight.
12:12-19 God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.
