Luke 6 23

Luke 6:23 kjv

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 6:23 nkjv

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Luke 6:23 niv

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

Luke 6:23 esv

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Luke 6:23 nlt

When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 23 Meaning

Luke 6:23 speaks to believers who face hatred, exclusion, reviling, and defamation for the sake of the Son of Man. In such trials, they are not to lament but to actively "rejoice and leap for joy" because their future reward in heaven is immeasurable and guaranteed. This persecution is presented as a confirmation of their genuine discipleship, aligning them with the experience of the ancient prophets whom God sent, and who similarly faced hostility from their own people. It transforms what seems like a curse into a blessed status, offering profound hope and a reversal of earthly fortunes in the divine economy.

Luke 6 23 Context

Luke 6:23 is part of Jesus' sermon delivered on a level place (often called the "Sermon on the Plain"), following the calling of the twelve apostles. This section (Lk 6:20-26) comprises a series of "Blessings" (Beatitudes) and contrasting "Woes." The blessings pronounced are on the poor, hungry, weeping, and those persecuted for the Son of Man's sake, while the woes are directed at the rich, full, laughing, and those spoken well of by all people. This specific verse concludes the fourth and most extensive blessing, directly linking present suffering for righteousness with future, ultimate joy and divine recompense. It contrasts the popular earthly view of success with God's paradoxical value system, emphasizing that true blessedness is found in humble, self-denying allegiance to Christ, even unto persecution, anticipating a radical reversal of fortunes in the age to come. The "Son of Man" refers to Jesus himself, emphasizing his Messianic identity and connection to the persecuted suffering servant.

Luke 6 23 Word analysis

• Rejoice (Greek: χαίρετε, chairete): A command, not merely an option. It denotes a deep, settled gladness, often with spiritual or religious connotations, extending beyond superficial happiness. It signifies an inner cheerfulness that flows from a strong sense of hope or well-being, even amidst adversity.
• and leap for joy (Greek: σκιρτήσατε, skirtēsate): This verb is even stronger than "rejoice." Skirtaō literally means to "leap," "bound," or "dance." It conveys an extremely enthusiastic, even unrestrained, physical expression of joy, like an unborn child leaping in the womb (Lk 1:41, 44), or lambs skipping in a field. It emphasizes a fervent, almost ecstatic, response to being counted worthy of suffering for Christ. Its intensity highlights the profound spiritual transformation expected.
• in that day: Refers to a specific, future point in time, likely an eschatological day, such as the Day of Judgment, Christ's second coming, or the entrance into the eternal kingdom. It assures that the reward is definite and awaiting them, transforming present suffering with future glory.
• for (Greek: γάρ, gar): Connects the commanded joy directly to the reason that follows, establishing a causal link between the persecution and the magnitude of the reward.
• great (Greek: πολύς, polys): Indicates a large quantity or high degree, signifying the immense and surpassing nature of the reward. It emphasizes the extraordinary value and abundance of the heavenly recompense.
• is your reward (Greek: ὁ μισθός ὑμῶν, ho misthos hymōn): "Reward" (misthos) refers to recompense, payment, or wages for service or deeds. It signifies a justly deserved return from God, not simply an arbitrary gift. "Your reward" personalizes it, assuring the persecuted believer of a direct and certain return for their faithfulness.
• in heaven: Specifies the source, nature, and secure location of the reward. It is a divine, imperishable, and spiritual blessing, beyond earthly decay or confiscation, reserved in God's presence.
• for so (Greek: κατὰ τὰ αὐτὰ, kata ta auta): "In the same way," or "just like." This phrase draws a direct parallel and indicates a consistent pattern, justifying why believers should expect persecution.
• their fathers: Refers to the ancestors of the current generation, particularly the Jewish people. It implies a historical continuum of persecution against God's faithful messengers, indicating that the opposition Jesus' disciples face is not new but an echo of the past.
• treated: Describes the manner of past interaction, typically involving mistreatment, abuse, and hostility.
• the prophets: God's chosen spokespersons in the Old Testament, who often delivered unpopular messages and consequently faced rejection, imprisonment, and death for their faithfulness (e.g., Elijah, Jeremiah). This identification elevates the persecuted disciples' status, connecting them to a venerable line of God's most honored servants.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "Rejoice and leap for joy": This pairing emphasizes not just an intellectual assent to God's plan, but a visceral, active, and overflowing gladness in response to severe trials. It calls for an extraordinary, supernatural joy that runs contrary to natural human reactions to suffering. This joy is tied to faith and spiritual understanding, seeing divine purpose in hardship.
• "in that day... for great is your reward in heaven": This links a present, uncomfortable reality (persecution) with a certain, glorious future. The temporary earthly pain is dwarfed by the eternal heavenly reward, providing ultimate perspective and motivation. It emphasizes the reversal of fortune: what is considered a curse on earth is a blessing in heaven.
• "for so their fathers treated the prophets": This phrase contextualizes the disciples' suffering within a grander narrative of redemptive history. It shows that persecution is a sign of authenticity, marking them as true successors to the righteous prophets of old, who also spoke God's truth to a rebellious world. This lineage offers both vindication and assurance.

Luke 6 23 Bonus section

This verse implies that external validation or popular acceptance from the world is not the measure of a faithful life in God's eyes. In fact, receiving universal approval (as mentioned in the parallel woes of Lk 6:26) might indicate a compromise of truth. The phrase "leap for joy" (skirtaō) has an implicit connection to John the Baptist leaping in his mother's womb when hearing Mary's greeting, signaling a Messianic presence. Here, it signifies the Holy Spirit's overflowing joy in the face of suffering for the very One whose arrival John announced. It thus connects the experience of suffering disciples directly to the spiritual dynamism of the Messianic era. This joy in the midst of adversity is a testimony to the power of the Kingdom of God working within the believer, providing hope that transcends worldly understanding and a glimpse of the eschatological triumph to come.

Luke 6 23 Commentary

Luke 6:23 provides a profound paradox at the heart of Christian discipleship: true blessedness is often found not in comfort or popular acclaim, but in facing rejection and suffering for one's allegiance to Christ. This verse assures believers that their persecution for Christ's name aligns them with God's historical pattern of communicating truth through His suffering servants, the prophets. The command to "rejoice and leap for joy" is not a call for superficial optimism but for a radical, Spirit-empowered gladness rooted in the certainty of God's justice and ultimate vindication. The magnitude of the heavenly reward, contrasted with the fleeting nature of earthly suffering, reorients the disciple's perspective. It empowers them to see their hardship as a badge of honor, a confirmation of their prophetic role, and a secure investment in an eternal inheritance. It reveals that the path of the cross, while seemingly contradictory to human flourishing, is precisely the path to divine favor and glory. For example, knowing that suffering unites one with Christ and guarantees a future reward can turn feelings of victimhood into joy, seeing present difficulties as purposeful steps toward an ultimate glorious state.