1:12-13 The disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. The short trip from where Jesus ascended on Mt. Olivet to the upper room was only a Sabbath day's journey away (about 2,000 cubits, two-thirds of a mile, one kilometer; cf. Exod. 16:29; Num. 35:5).57This upper room seems to have been the same one in which the disciples had observed the first Lord's Supper with Jesus (Luke 22:12). It was probably there too that He had appeared to them following His resurrection (Luke 24:32, 36; John 20:19, 26).58The repetition of the apostles' names recalls Jesus' previous appointment of them as apostles (cf. Luke 6:13-16).59This list, however, omits Judas Iscariot and sets the stage for the selection of his replacement.
1:14 The apostles gave themselves to prayer (Gr. proseuche) probably for the fulfillment of what Jesus had promised would take place shortly (cf. Dan. 9:2-3; Luke 11:13).60Luke stressed their unity, a mark of the early Christians that Luke noted frequently in Acts. The disciples were one in their purpose to carry out the will of their Lord. Divine promises should stimulate prayer, not lead to abandonment of it.
". . . when God is going to do some great thing he moves the hearts of people to pray; He stirs them up to pray in view of that which He is about to do so that they might be prepared for it. The disciples needed the self-examination that comes through prayer and supplication, that they might be ready for the tremendous event which was about to take place . . ."61
The women referred to were apparently the same ones who accompanied the disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem (Luke 8:1-3; cf. 23:49; 55-24:10).62
"Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there, but you will notice they were not praying to Mary, nor were they burning candles to her; they were not addressing themselves to her, nor asking her for any blessing; but Mary, the mother of Jesus, was kneeling with the eleven and the women, and all together they prayed to the Father."63
Jesus' half-brothers (John 7:5; Mark 6:3) apparently became believers following His death and resurrection (cf. 1 Cor. 15:7).
