Acts 1:14

‘These all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer (or ‘the prayer' or ‘the meetings for prayer'), with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.'

The total unity of the infant church is emphasised. Both men and women disciples share an equality not usually known outside Christian circles. They pray together as one. Most of the actual praying probably mainly took place in the Temple where they gathered daily with other disciples of Jesus (Luke 24:53). ‘The prayer' may well signify the Lord's prayer (Luke 11:2), or an agreed purpose to pray.

This is the first indication that we have that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her other sons had become full followers of Jesus (contrast Mark 3:21; Mark 3:31; John 7:3). The order illustrates how recently it was. First the Apostles, then the faithful women disciples (who are to Him as His ‘mother and sisters' - Mark 3:34), then comes Mary, His earthly mother, who has now joined them. ‘The women' and ‘Mary' are closely connected in the Greek. And finally come His brothers. We do know that the risen Jesus had early on appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7), which presumably means His brother. So His brothers are the latest additions to discipleship.

Part of the intention here is to bring out that Jesus' mother and brothers now also worshipped Him. They prayed along with the others in the same way as the others did, and they looked to Jesus for blessing, especially the promise of the Father, in the same way as they did.

Note the reference to the women disciples. Luke in fact constantly draw attention to Jesus' women disciples (compare Luke 8:2; Luke 23:49; Luke 23:55). He fully recognised their importance and their valuable ministry in ministering to Jesus from their substance. They provided the woman's touch. And along with Paul he saw them as on a level with male believers (Galatians 3:28).