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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Rejoice ye {G5463} in {G1722} that {G1565} day {G2250}, and {G2532} leap for joy {G4640}: for {G1063}, behold {G2400}, your {G5216} reward {G3408} is great {G4183} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}: for {G1063} in {G2596} the like manner {G5024} did {G4160} their {G846} fathers {G3962} unto the prophets {G4396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Be glad when that happens; yes, dance for joy! because in heaven your reward is great. For that is just how their fathers treated the prophets.

Berean Standard Bible

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:23 stands as a profound exhortation within Jesus's Sermon on the Plain, commanding believers to embrace radical joy amidst persecution. This paradoxical instruction is grounded in the assurance of an unparalleled heavenly reward and validated by the historical experience of God's faithful prophets, establishing a timeless pattern for disciples who suffer for their allegiance to the Son of Man.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to one of Jesus's "blessings" (beatitudes) in Luke's account, specifically following the declaration in [Luke 6:22](/luke/6-22 "Luke 6:22 - Blessing for the Persecuted") that those who are hated, excluded, reviled, and slandered for the Son of Man's sake are blessed. It forms a stark contrast to the "woes" Jesus pronounces immediately after, particularly the woe against those who are well-spoken of by all ([Luke 6:26](/luke/6-26 "Luke 6:26 - Woe to the Popular")). The broader [Sermon on the Plain](/luke/6-17-49 "Luke 6:17-49 - The Sermon on the Plain") (Luke 6:17-49) outlines the radical ethics and values of God's Kingdom, where earthly suffering for righteousness is inverted into a cause for profound spiritual joy and eternal recompense.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus delivers this teaching to His disciples and a large crowd, setting forth the counter-cultural demands of following Him. The concept of persecution for righteousness was not foreign to the Jewish audience; the history of Israel was replete with accounts of prophets who faced opposition, rejection, and even death for faithfully delivering God's message (e.g., Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah). The "fathers" refers to previous generations of Israelites who, despite their privileged relationship with God, often mistreated and rejected His messengers. The promise of "reward in heaven" resonated with existing Jewish eschatological hopes, though Jesus redefines the path to such reward, emphasizing faithfulness amidst suffering rather than outward religious observance or social standing.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 6:23](/luke/6-23 "Luke 6:23 - Rejoice in Persecution") contributes significantly to several major themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. The primary theme is the **paradoxical nature of joy in the Kingdom of God**, where suffering for Christ's sake is not merely endured but becomes a reason for exuberant rejoicing. This directly challenges worldly notions of happiness. Secondly, the verse highlights the **eschatological hope and the certainty of divine recompense**, shifting the focus from temporal earthly pain to an eternal, "great reward" in heaven. This theme is echoed in Jesus's teaching about [storing up treasures in heaven](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Treasures in Heaven"). Finally, the verse establishes a powerful theme of **identification with the prophets**, affirming that those who suffer for their faith in Christ are not experiencing something novel but are joining a long line of God's faithful servants throughout history who faced similar opposition for speaking God's truth. This connection provides both comfort and a profound sense of continuity in God's redemptive narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoice (Greek, _chaírō'_):** This word, G5463, means to be "cheerful," calmly happy, or well-off. While it can be a common greeting, in this context, it is a command to cultivate an inner state of gladness, a settled joy that is not dependent on external circumstances but on a deeper spiritual reality.
* **Leap for joy (Greek, _skirtáō'_):** G4640, akin to "to skip," means to jump, or sympathetically move, implying an exuberant, almost dancing joy. This is a much more emphatic and physical expression of gladness than simply "rejoice." It suggests an overflowing, unrestrained delight, a powerful, almost involuntary response to profound spiritual truth or blessing, as seen when [John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb](/luke/1-44 "Luke 1:44 - John Leaping in the Womb").
* **Reward (Greek, _misthós'_):** G3408 refers to "pay for service," whether good or bad. Here, it denotes a positive recompense or wages for faithful service. The emphasis on this reward being "great in heaven" underscores its divine origin, eternal nature, and immeasurable value, far surpassing any earthly compensation or suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:"** This is a powerful double imperative, commanding an active, even exuberant, response of joy from disciples when they face persecution ("in that day"). The combination of "rejoice" (a general state of gladness) and "leap for joy" (an outward, demonstrative expression) emphasizes the depth and intensity of the commanded joy, suggesting that such suffering should not merely be endured but embraced with profound spiritual delight.
* **"for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:"** This clause provides the primary motivation and theological basis for the commanded joy. The particle "for" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason: a guaranteed, immense, and divinely secured recompense awaiting believers in the heavenly realm. The interjection "behold" (G2400, _idoú_) draws attention to the certainty and wonder of this promise, shifting the focus from the temporal pain of persecution to the eternal glory that awaits.
* **"for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."** This second "for" (G1063, _gár_) offers further validation and comfort. It connects the experience of the persecuted disciples to a long-standing historical pattern. By suffering for their faith, believers are not experiencing something unique or arbitrary, but are joining a venerable lineage of God's faithful messengers, the prophets, who were similarly rejected and persecuted by the very people they sought to serve. This historical precedent provides both a sense of solidarity and an affirmation that their suffering is part of God's larger redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 6:23 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The most striking is **Paradox**, as Jesus commands joy and even exuberant "leaping" in the face of hatred, exclusion, reviling, and slander, directly contradicting the natural human response to adversity. This highlights the counter-cultural values of the Kingdom of God. The verse also uses **Imperative Mood** ("Rejoice ye," "leap for joy"), which functions as a direct command, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of this spiritual response for true disciples. Furthermore, there is a clear **Analogy** or **Parallelism** drawn between the persecution of Jesus's disciples and the historical mistreatment of the prophets by "their fathers." This comparison serves to validate the disciples' experience, placing them in a noble lineage of God's faithful messengers and offering comfort through shared suffering. Finally, the repeated use of the causal conjunction "for" (G1063, _gár_) creates a structure of **Motivation**, providing two distinct but reinforcing reasons for the commanded joy: the promise of a great heavenly reward and the solidarity with the persecuted prophets.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:23 profoundly reshapes our understanding of suffering, joy, and divine justice. It asserts that true blessedness in God's Kingdom is often found not in earthly comfort or popular acclaim, but in faithfulness amidst adversity. The command to "rejoice and leap for joy" in the face of persecution elevates suffering from a mere trial to a privileged participation in God's redemptive work, a sign of authentic discipleship that aligns believers with Christ Himself. This radical perspective is sustained by an unwavering focus on eschatological hope, where the temporary hardships of this life are dwarfed by the promise of an immeasurable, eternal reward in heaven. The identification with the prophets further reinforces the continuity of God's covenant people and His consistent pattern of using those who are rejected by the world to advance His truth.

* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11-12 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Beatitude on Persecution")
* [Acts 5:41](/acts/5-41 "Acts 5:41 - Apostles Rejoice in Suffering")
* [1 Peter 4:13](/1_peter/4-13 "1 Peter 4:13 - Rejoicing in Christ's Sufferings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:23 presents a profound challenge and comfort for believers today. In a world that often equates happiness with comfort, success, and approval, Jesus calls us to a counter-cultural joy rooted in our eternal hope and identity in Him. This verse encourages us to re-evaluate our sources of joy, shifting our gaze from fleeting earthly circumstances to the enduring reality of God's Kingdom and the "great reward" awaiting us in heaven. It reminds us that suffering for our faith is not a sign of God's abandonment or disfavor, but can be a mark of authentic discipleship, aligning us with Christ and the faithful who came before us. Embracing this perspective allows us to persevere through trials, knowing that every act of faithfulness, every instance of enduring hardship for the Gospel, contributes to an eternal inheritance. It calls us to cultivate a spiritual resilience that finds joy not despite, but often *in* the midst of, adversity, trusting in God's ultimate vindication and recompense.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the command to "rejoice and leap for joy" in the face of persecution challenge your understanding of Christian joy?**
* **What does the promise of a "great reward in heaven" mean for your priorities and daily choices?**
* **In what ways can you identify with the historical experience of the prophets and other faithful servants of God who faced opposition?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper, more resilient joy that is not dependent on favorable circumstances but on your relationship with Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "in that day"?**
Answer: "That day" refers to the specific time when a disciple experiences the forms of persecution mentioned in the preceding verse—being hated, excluded, reviled, and slandered for the sake of the Son of Man. It is the day of adversity and opposition that comes as a direct result of one's allegiance to Jesus. The phrase emphasizes that the command to rejoice is not a general one, but a specific, paradoxical response to the very moment of suffering for Christ.

**Why does Jesus command such an intense response as "leap for joy"?**
Answer: The command to "leap for joy" (Greek _skirtáō'_) signifies an exuberant, overflowing, and almost uncontrollable gladness. It's a joy that transcends mere intellectual assent or quiet contentment. Jesus commands such an intense response to highlight the profound spiritual reality that a believer's suffering for Christ's sake is not a loss but a gain, a participation in a divine narrative that culminates in eternal glory. This joy is not a denial of pain, but a spiritual triumph over it, rooted in the certainty of God's promise and the honor of identifying with Christ and the prophets. It underscores that Kingdom values invert worldly logic, where what seems like a curse is, in fact, a blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:23 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential Prophet (as anticipated in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses") and affirmed in [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter's Sermon on Jesus as the Prophet")) who was hated, excluded, reviled, and slandered by His own people, ultimately suffering the most profound persecution on the cross. Yet, He endured "for the joy that was set before him" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")), demonstrating the very paradoxical joy He commands His followers to embrace. Believers who suffer for the "Son of Man's sake" ([Luke 6:22](/luke/6-22 "Luke 6:22 - Blessing for the Persecuted")) are not merely imitating the ancient prophets, but are participating in the sufferings of Christ Himself ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Knowing Christ and His Sufferings")), sharing in His rejection and, by extension, His ultimate vindication and glory. The "great reward in heaven" is secured by Christ's finished work, as He is the one who prepares a place for His own ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). Thus, our suffering becomes a testament to our union with Him, a foretaste of the eternal fellowship and reward that is ours through His sacrifice and resurrection ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 21:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

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.

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Revelation 3:12

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

Revelation 3:5

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 2:10

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.