Acts 12 · Verse 12

Acts 12:12

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, King James Version

Acts 12:12 in other translations

BSBAnd when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
WEBThinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
ASVAnd 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 and were praying.
YLTalso, having considered, he came unto the house of Mary, the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark, where there were many thronged together and praying.
DARBYAnd having become clearly conscious in himself, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where were many gathered together and praying.
BBEAnd when he became clear about this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John named Mark, where a number of them had come together for prayer.
WebsterAnd when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were assembled, praying.

What does Acts 12:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:12-17
12-17. he came to the house of Mary, &c.--who "must have had a house of some pretensions to receive a large number; and, accordingly, we read that her brother Barnabas (Col 4:10) was a person of substance (Ac 4:37). She must also have been distinguished for faith and courage to allow such a meeting in the face of persecution" [Webster and Wilkinson]. To such a house it was natural that Peter should come. mother of John ... Mark--so called to distinguish him from the apostle of that name, and to distinguish her from the other Marys. where many were gathered together praying--doubtless for Peter's deliverance, and continuing, no doubt, on this the last of the days of unleavened bread, which was their last hope, all night in prayer to God.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. And when he had considered, etc. Thinking on the subject; considering what he should do in these circumstances.

He came to the house of Mary, etc. Probably this house was near him; and he would naturally seek the dwelling of a Christian friend.

The mother of John, etc. Probably this was the John Mark who wrote the gospel. But this is not certain.

Whose surname. Greek, Who was called Mark. It does not mean that he had two names conferred, as with us, both of which were used at the same time. But he was called by either--the Greeks probably using the name Mark, and the Jews the name John. He is frequently mentioned afterwards, as having been the attendant of Paul and Barnabas in their travels, Acts 12:25, 15:39, 2Ti 4:11 He was a nephew of Barnabas, Col 4:10.

Where many were gathered together praying. This was in the night; and it shows the propriety of observing extraordinary seasons of prayer, even in the night. Peter was to have been put to death the next day; and they assembled to pray for his release, and did not intermit their prayers. When dangers increase around us and our friends, we should become more fervent in prayer. While life remains we may pray; and even when there is no human hope, and we may have no power to heal or deliver, still God may interpose, as he did here, in answer to prayer.

(a) "Many were gathered" Acts 12:5

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 And when he had considered - When he had weighed every thing, and was fully satisfied of the Divine interposition, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, the author of the Gospel, where it appears many were gathered together making prayer and supplication, and probably for Peter's release.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 12:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

συνιδώνsunidōnHaving considered [it]G4894
τεtealsoG5037
ἦλθενēlthenhe cameG2064
ἐπὶepitoG1909
τὴνtēntheG3588
οἰκίανoikianhouseG3614
ΜαρίαςMariasof MaryG3137
τῆςtēstheG3588
μητρὸςmētrosmotherG3384
ἸωάννουIōannouof JohnG2491
τοῦtouwhoG3588
ἐπικαλουμένουepikaloumenouis calledG1941
Μάρκου,MarkouMark,G3138
οὗhouwhereG3757
ἦσανēsanwereG1510
ἱκανοὶhikanoimanyG2425
συνηθροισμένοιsunēthroismenoigathered togetherG4867
καὶkaiandG2532
προσευχόμενοι.proseuchomenoipraying.G4336

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 12:12

  • 1 John 5:14-15

    And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

  • Acts 12:5

    Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

  • Matthew 18:19-20

    Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

  • Acts 12:25

    And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

  • Acts 13:5

    And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

  • Isaiah 65:24

    And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

  • Philemon 1:24

    Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

  • Acts 4:23

    And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

  • Acts 16:40

    And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

  • 2 Timothy 4:11

    Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

  • Acts 15:37-39

    And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

  • Acts 13:13

    Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he came.
4:23; 16:40
John.
25; 13:5,13; 15:37-39; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24
where.
5; Isa 65:24; Mt 18:19,20; 1Jo 5:14,15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 12:11

    And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

  • Acts 12:12

    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 12:13

    And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

Read all of Acts 12

Acts 12:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y habiendo considerado esto, llegó á casa de María la madre de Juan, el que tenía por sobrenombre Marcos, donde muchos estaban juntos orando.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et s’étant reconnu, il se rendit à la maison de Marie, mère de Jean surnommé Marc, où plusieurs étaient assemblés et priaient.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und als er sich bedachte, kam er an das Haus der Maria, der Mutter des Johannes, der Markus zubenamt war, wo viele versammelt waren und beteten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Consideransque venit ad domum Mariæ matris Joannis, qui cognominatus est Marcus, ubi erant multi congregati, et orantes.