New Testament · Gospel

Luke 6:12

Blessings and Woes

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 6:12, in plain English

Before choosing His twelve closest followers, Jesus went up a mountain and prayed all night long. The decision was too important not to.

Why it's here

This was a turning point in Jesus' ministry. He was about to choose the men who would carry His message forward, and He bathed the decision in prayer.

Who's speaking

Luke shows us Jesus' preparation for one of His most important decisions.

Where it sits in the story

If Jesus prayed all night before making a big decision, what does that tell us about how we should approach the important choices in our lives? Some decisions deserve a whole night with God.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus' withdrawal to the oros ("mountain") for all-night prayer (dianyktereúōn en tē proseuchē tou theou) precedes the pivotal selection of the Twelve. Luke uniquely emphasizes this extended prayer vigil.

Language and setting

This is the longest recorded prayer session of Jesus in the Gospels. The all-night duration underscores the gravity of the decision He faces in selecting His apostles.

Voice

Luke narrates Jesus' withdrawal to the mountain for an all-night prayer vigil.

Significance

Before the most consequential personnel decision of His ministry, Jesus spends the entire night in prayer. This models the principle that major decisions should emerge from deep communion with God.

In context

Luke 6:10–14

10And after looking around at all of them, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and it was restored.

11But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

12In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

13When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles:

14Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Read all of Luke 6 — Blessed are the poor; woe to the rich. Jesus delivers his version of the great sermon and demands a love so radical it includes your enemies.

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