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.

LUKE 6:12KJV
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Luke 6:12 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:12 mean?

Luke 6:12 describes Jesus withdrawing to a mountain and spending the whole night praying to God. Luke places this extended time of prayer immediately before Jesus chooses twelve of his followers, showing what happened before that choice.

The verse is part of Luke’s account, not a statement spoken by Jesus. After the conflict described in verse 11, Jesus goes away from the immediate scene. The mountain provides the setting, while “all night” gives the reader a sense of how long Jesus remained there in prayer.

The Greek behind Luke 6:12

  • “mountain” — ὄρος (oros): This word can mean a mountain or a hill. The Greek word by itself does not establish how high or steep the place was.
  • “continued all night” — διανυκτερεύω (dianyktereuō): This word carries the sense of spending the whole night in an activity. Here it gives the duration of Jesus’ prayer, rather than simply saying that he prayed at night.

Why Luke 6:12 matters

  • Jesus’ choice of the Twelve comes after a sustained period of prayer. In verses 13–16, he calls his followers and chooses twelve from among them.
  • Luke distinguishes the larger group of followers from the Twelve. Verse 13 says Jesus chose twelve “of them,” helping readers see that the people named afterward were selected from a wider group.
  • The verse places prayer to God between conflict and the next gathering of Jesus’ followers. Verse 11 describes anger among those opposing Jesus, while verse 13 begins with Jesus calling his followers to him.

Where else these words appear

“those” Greek G5025 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
  • Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
  • Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

“prayer” Greek G4335 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
  • Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
  • Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

“mountain” Greek G3735 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  • Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
  • John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

“pray” Greek G4336 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
  • Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.