Luke 6:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
χαίρετε
Rejoice ye
G5463
χαίρετε
Rejoice ye
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
1 of 25
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ἐκείνῃ
that
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
3 of 25
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
5 of 25
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σκιρτήσατε
leap for joy
G4640
σκιρτήσατε
leap for joy
Strong's:
G4640
Word #:
7 of 25
to jump, i.e., sympathetically move (as the quickening of a fetus)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισθὸς
reward
G3408
μισθὸς
reward
Strong's:
G3408
Word #:
11 of 25
pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad
πολὺς
is great
G4183
πολὺς
is great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
13 of 25
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανῷ·
heaven
G3772
οὐρανῷ·
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
16 of 25
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
κατὰ
in
G2596
κατὰ
in
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
17 of 25
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐποίουν
did
G4160
ἐποίουν
did
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
20 of 25
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφήταις
unto the prophets
G4396
προφήταις
unto the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
22 of 25
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 21:7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.Revelation 3:5He 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 3:12Him 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 2:26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Historical Context
Context beatitudes blessings persecuted (v. 22). Paradoxical blessing in suffering. Prophets stoned killed (Hebrews 11:36-38). Following Jesus means entering prophetic line suffering faithful. Early church experienced this persecution from Jews Romans. Martyrs rejoiced counted worthy to suffer for name (Acts 5:41). Not masochism but perspective. Eternal weight glory far outweighs light affliction (2 Cor 4:17). Medieval church venerated martyrs. Reformation martyrs at stake sang hymns. Modern comfortable Christianity rarely faces this. But global church many suffer persecution prison death. Perspective of eternal reward enables joyful endurance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does command to rejoice leap for joy in persecution challenge natural response of despair?
- What role does eternal perspective play in enabling believers to endure suffering with joy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rejoice ye in that day leap for joy for behold your reward great in heaven for in like manner did fathers unto prophets. Rejoice charēte be glad. In that day en ekeinē tē hēmera time of persecution. Leap skirtēsate jump exult. For joy chalasis joy. Behold idou pay attention. Reward misthos wage. Great polys substantial. In heaven en ouranō eternal. For gar reason. Like manner kata ta auta similarly. Fathers pateres ancestors. Unto prophets prophētais messengers. Persecution is not punishment but path to blessing. Prophets suffered similarly. Company of faithful. Eternal reward outweighs temporal suffering. Reformed theology emphasizes future glory present suffering. Not prosperity gospel but suffering before glory. Yet joy in midst of suffering.