Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

LUKE 6:23KJV
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Luke 6:23 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:23 mean?

In Luke 6:23, Jesus tells his followers to rejoice when people reject and insult them because they follow him. He points beyond their present treatment to a great reward in heaven and places their experience alongside that of the prophets who came before them.

Jesus describes joy in physical terms: “leap for joy.” The words “in that day” connect his instruction to the rejection described in verse 22. “Their fathers” refers to the earlier generations of those responsible for that treatment.

The Greek behind Luke 6:23

  • “leap for joy” — σκιρτάω (skirtaō): This word carries the sense of leaping or springing. It gives the command to rejoice a vivid physical picture.
  • “reward” — μισθός (misthos): This word can mean payment or wages, as well as a reward. Here Jesus uses it to speak of what awaits his followers in heaven.
  • “prophets” — προφῆται (prophētai): The word refers to people who spoke messages from God. Jesus places his followers in a line with those earlier figures.

Why Luke 6:23 matters

  • The reason for the rejection matters. In verse 22, Jesus speaks of people who are hated and insulted “for the Son of man’s sake,” a phrase referring to him.
  • Jesus presents the treatment of the prophets as a precedent. The words “in the like manner” connect his followers’ experience with how earlier generations treated those who spoke for God.
  • The reward is located “in heaven,” while the mistreatment happens on earth. Jesus contrasts what his followers receive from people now with what he says awaits them.

Where else these words appear

“joy” Greek G4640 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
  • Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

“manner” Greek G5024 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
  • Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

“reward” Greek G3408 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
  • Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

“ye” Greek G5463 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.