The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

12 And considering he came into the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered and praying. 13 And when Peter had knocked at the entry door, a maid came out to hearken, named Rhode. 14 And when she knew Peters voice, she opened not the door for joy: but running in, she told that Peter stood without. 15 But they said to her, Thou art mad. But she affirmed more vehemently that is was so. But they said it is his Angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened they saw him, and they were astonied. 17 But after that he had beckoned to them with the hand, that they should hold their peace, he told them how God had brought him out of prison. And he said: Tell James and the brethren these things. And he departed thence, and went into an other place. 18 After that it was day, there was no small ado amongst the soldiers, what was become of Peter, 19 And when Herod had sought him, and could not find him, so soon as he knew the matter, he commanded the keepers to be carried away.

12 And considering he came into the house of Mary the mother of Iohn, whose syrname was Marke, where many were gathered and praying. 13 And when Peter had knocked at the entry doore, a maid came out to harken, named Rhode. 14 And when she knew Peters voice, she opened not the doore for ioy: but running in, she told that Peter stood without. 15 But they said to her, Thou art mad. But she affirmed more vehemently that is was so. But they said it is his Angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened they saw him, and they were astonied. 17 But after that he had beckned to them with the hand, that they should hold their peace, he told them how God had brought him out of prison. And he said: Tel Iames and the brethren these things. And he departed thence, and went into an other place. 18 After that it was day, there was no smal adoe amongst the soldiars, what was become of Peter, 19 And when Herod had sought him, and could not finde him, so soone as he knew the matter, he commanded the keepers to be carried away.

12 Into the house of Mary. It appeareth that she was a matron of rare godliness, whose house was as it were a certain temple of God, where the brethren did use to meet together. And Luke saith, that there were Many assembled there, because seeing they could not all meet together in one place without fear of some tumult, they came together in diverse places of the city in companies, as they could conveniently. For doubtless there were other companies gathered together elsewhere: because it is not to be thought that (at such time as many of the faithful did give themselves to prayer) the Apostles were not in like sort occupied, & one house could not hold so many. And we must always mark the circumstance of time, because even in the heat of the enemies cruelty, the godly were notwithstanding assembled together. For if at any time this exercise be profitable, then is it most necessary, when hard conflicts approach.