Luke 6:12-13
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus didn't just pray on the mountain; he continued "all night in prayer to God," highlighting that for significant decisions, like choosing the apostles, prolonged, intense communion with the Father was essential, not just a brief moment. This wasn't just a devotional exercise, but a crucial preparation for the weighty work ahead.
Just before this moment, Jesus had been healing many people and teaching about the kingdom of God. Now, facing the crucial decision of selecting his twelve apostles from a larger group of disciples, he withdraws to a mountain and spends the entire night in prayer. This prolonged communion with God sets the stage for the momentous selection and commission of the apostles that will occur on the following day.
Why did Jesus choose a mountain and an entire night for prayer? It wasn't just a casual chat with God.
Seeking Divine Guidance
Jesus was about to make one of the most crucial decisions of His earthly ministry: choosing the twelve apostles. This wasn't a task to be taken lightly. The commentaries highlight that Jesus sought a place "retired, free from interruption, and fitted by impressiveness and grandeur to raise the thoughts to the God that had formed the high hills" (Barnes). This deliberate choice of a secluded mountain location wasn't about finding a 'quiet spot' but about creating a sacred space for deep communion.
A Night of Intense Devotion
The phrase 'all night' signifies more than just a long duration; it points to the intensity and seriousness of Jesus' prayer. This wasn't a passive wait but an active, all-consuming engagement with God. The burden of this night's devotions was clearly the upcoming appointment of the apostles, who would be instrumental in birthing His Church and shaping the world to come (JFB). It was a night dedicated to seeking the divine blessing and direction for this monumental task, setting an example for us in how to prepare for significant responsibilities.
If Jesus is divine, why did He need to pray? This verse offers a profound insight into His dual nature.
The Humanity of Jesus
The commentaries grapple with Jesus' divinity and His prayer. A key understanding is that while Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. As a man, He experienced human needs and limitations, and prayer was His means of drawing strength, wisdom, and guidance from the Father (Barnes). His prayer wasn't a sign of weakness but a demonstration of His perfect humanity and His reliance on God, just as eating was a physical necessity.
The Mediator Seeking Direction
Beyond His human need, Jesus also functioned as the Mediator between God and humanity. In this role, it was fitting for Him to seek divine direction and blessing, especially before launching such a pivotal phase of His mission. The 'great business' transacted that night was between God and the Mediator, Jesus, preparing Him for the solemn appointment of those who would carry His message forward (Bengel, JFB). This shows that even in His divine mission, Jesus submitted to the Father's will and sought His empowerment.
Understand the original words
proseuchē · Greek Noun
The act of communicating with the Creator. In Scripture, it is a posture of dependence, submission, and fellowship, modeled perfectly by Jesus throughout His ministry.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Literally 'learner' or 'pupil.' It refers to those who follow Jesus, listen to His teaching, and are committed to His way of life.
apostolos · Greek Noun
Literally 'one who is sent.' It refers to a specific group appointed by Jesus as His official representatives, endowed with authority to preach and perform signs.
Jesus' decision to spend an entire night in prayer before choosing the Twelve highlights the immense spiritual weight of this moment and sets a profound example for leadership and reliance on divine guidance.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus' Ministry Gains Momentum
Jesus' public ministry is well underway, drawing crowds and attracting disciples. This period sees many of his well-known teachings and miracles.
c. AD 28
Selection of the Twelve Apostles
Following a night of prayer and communion with God, Jesus chooses the twelve apostles from his followers. This marks a crucial step in establishing his church.
c. AD 28
Sermon on the Plain
Jesus delivers a major teaching to his disciples and the crowd, known as the Sermon on the Plain, which includes the Beatitudes and other core teachings.
This passage shows Jesus rising 'a great while before day' to pray in a solitary place, paralleling the solitude and devotion seen in Luke 6:12 as He prepares for ministry.
Luke 3:21-22Immediately after His baptism, Jesus is found praying, and the heavens open to Him, illustrating how prayer is a pivotal moment for divine affirmation and empowerment before significant undertakings.
John 17:1-26This is Jesus' 'High Priestly Prayer' offered before His passion, showing His deep communion with the Father and His intercession for believers, mirroring the serious and weighty nature of His all-night prayer in Luke 6.
Matthew 14:23After feeding the five thousand, Jesus withdraws to a mountain to pray alone, demonstrating His consistent practice of seeking private communion with God, especially after great public events.
Hebrews 5:7This verse speaks of Jesus offering 'prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears,' highlighting the intensity and earnestness of His prayer life, which is echoed in the extended, all-night prayer in Luke 6.
barnesLuke 6:12: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
And it came to pass in those days - The designation of the time here is very general. It means "about" the time when the events occurred which had been just narrated. He went out into a mountain - Jesus was accustomed to resort to such places to hold communion with God, Mark 6:46. He did it because it was retired, free from interruption, and fitted by impressivenes…
clarkeLuke 6:12: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
In prayer to God - Or, in the prayer of God: or, in the oratory of God, εν τῃ προσευχῃ του Θεου. So this passage is translated by many critics; for which Dr. Whitby gives the following reasons: As the mountain of God, Exodus 3:1 ; Exodus 4:27 ; the bread of God, Leviticus 21:17 ; the lamp of God, 1 Samuel 3:3 ; the vessels of God, 1 Chronicles 22:19 ; the altar o…
Jesus didn't just pray on the mountain; he continued "all night in prayer to God," highlighting that for significant decisions, like choosing the apostles, prolonged, intense communion with the Father was essential, not just a brief moment. This wasn't just a devotional exercise, but a crucial preparation for the weighty work ahead.
Just before this moment, Jesus had been healing many people and teaching about the kingdom of God. Now, facing the crucial decision of selecting his twelve apostles from a larger group of disciples, he withdraws to a mountain and spends the entire night in prayer. This prolonged communion with God sets the stage for the momentous selection and commission of the apostles that will occur on the following day.
Just before this moment, Jesus had been healing many people and teaching about the kingdom of God. Now, facing the crucial decision of selecting his twelve apostles from a larger group of disciples, he withdraws to a mountain and spends the entire night in prayer. This prolonged communion with God sets the stage for the momentous selection and commission of the apostles that will occur on the following day.
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"In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:" — Jesus didn't just pray on the mountain; he continued "all night in prayer to God," highlighting that for significant decisions, like choosing the apostles, prolonged, intense communion with the Fat…
