Acts 12 12

Acts 12:12 kjv

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.

Acts 12:12 nkjv

So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

Acts 12:12 niv

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Acts 12:12 esv

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Acts 12:12 nlt

When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 12 Meaning

Peter, after being miraculously released from prison by an angel, went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also known as Mark. The believers were gathered there, praying. This arrival marked a significant moment of answered prayer and divine intervention in the face of severe persecution.

Acts 12 12 Context

Chapter 12 of Acts details a period of intense persecution against the early church by King Herod Agrippa I. Herod had James, the brother of John, executed and, seeing that it pleased the Jews, arrested Peter with the intention of executing him after Passover. The church, in response, "made without ceasing prayer unto God for him" (Acts 12:5). This verse specifically records Peter's movements immediately following his miraculous deliverance from prison, highlighting where the praying community was gathered. It places his release within the direct context of their earnest supplication, demonstrating the power of unified prayer in a time of crisis. This event follows Herod's aggressive actions and precedes his own swift, divine judgment for pride.

Acts 12 12 Word Analysis

• And: Connects this event to Peter's actions after his escape, emphasizing the cause-and-effect or immediate consequence.
• when: Indicates a temporal relationship; this action occurred upon his consideration of his situation.
• he: Refers to Peter.
• had considered: Implies a moment of thought and assessment of his freedom and immediate safety after the miraculous deliverance.
• the matter: Refers to his escape and the realization of his freedom.
• and: Joins his consideration to his action.
• came: Movement towards a destination.
• to the house: Indicates a specific physical location.
• of Mary: The mother.
• the mother of John, who was called Mark: Identifies Mary and her son John, clarifying his well-known nickname, Mark, who later became a significant figure in the New Testament (a Gospel writer and companion of Paul and Barnabas).
  • Mary (Μαρίας): A common Jewish name. This Mary appears to be a woman of some standing or importance within the Jerusalem community, possibly affluent enough to host prayer meetings in her home.
  • John (Ἰωάννην): A Hebrew name, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."
  • called (καλούμενον): Literally "named" or "called," indicating Mark was the appellation by which he was widely known.
  • Mark (Μάρκον): A Latin name, showing a potential connection to Roman influence or Hellenistic culture within Jerusalem. The dual naming is not uncommon for Jews living in Roman territories, especially those with international contacts. Mark himself is significant; he accompanied Barnabas and Paul and wrote the Gospel of Mark.
• where: Indicates the location of a gathering.
• many: Signifies a considerable number of people.
• were gathered: Present continuous passive voice, showing they were assembled.
• together: Emphasizes the collective nature of the assembly.
• praying: Present participle of the verb meaning "to pray." This highlights their primary activity at that moment, which was supplication to God. This connects directly to the intense prayer mentioned earlier in the chapter.

Group of words analysis:

• "the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was called Mark": This phrase pinpoints a significant location. It's the home of a prominent believer, Mary, who is the mother of Mark. This house serves as a center for early Christian activity, a sanctuary for prayer and fellowship. The mention of Mark, who becomes a key New Testament figure, adds another layer of importance to this household within the Jerusalem church.
• "where many were gathered together praying": This clause vividly describes the scene upon Peter's arrival. It shows the fervent, communal prayer that the early believers were engaged in on behalf of Peter. Their continuous prayer directly precedes and coincides with his miraculous release, underscoring their reliance on God and the community's united spiritual effort.

Acts 12 12 Bonus Section

The location identified as Mary's house in Jerusalem was likely a significant meeting place for the burgeoning church. The inclusion of Mark is notable; his mother's house was evidently a base for operations or a strong fellowship center. This suggests that leadership and organization within the early church were often rooted in the homes of believers. Mark's later role as a companion to the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, and as the author of the second Gospel, adds depth to this seemingly simple detail. It implies a generational connection and development of leadership within the early Christian community, beginning from the very homes where they met. The fact that Peter first sought out those praying for him highlights the relational aspect of the early church and their reliance on each other in both prayer and fellowship.

Acts 12 12 Commentary

Peter's immediate arrival at Mary's house signifies more than just a safe haven; it is a testament to the power of fervent, unceasing prayer. The believers, united in their supplication, had been praying for his deliverance, and God answered them in a spectacular fashion. The house of Mary, identified as Mark's mother, was a hub of this prayer activity, demonstrating that even in times of intense danger, the early church found strength and refuge in fellowship and prayer. The presence of many gathered "together praying" highlights the collective faith and hope that sustained them through persecution. Their prayers were not in vain; God heard them and acted decisively through angelic intervention. Peter's subsequent action to inform others, especially James, shows the desire to share the good news of God's deliverance and reinforce the community's faith.