STRONGS NT 1273: διαπορεύωδιαπορεύω: to cause one to pass through a place; to carry across; Pass (present διαπορεύομαι; imperfect διεπορευόμην); with future middle ((not found in N. T.); from Herodotus down); to journey through a place, go through: as in Greek writings followed by διά with the genitive of place, Mark 2:23 L Tr WH text; Luke 6:1; followed by an accusative (Winers Grammar, § 52, 4, 8) to travel through: Acts 16:4; absolutely: Luke 18:36; Romans 15:24; with the addition κατά πόλεις καί κώμας, Luke 13:22. (Synonym: see ἔρχομαι.)

The verb carries the idea of remaining through the night for a stated purpose. In Luke 6:12 it describes Jesus remaining awake from sunset to sunrise in concentrated, persevering prayer. The emphasis is not merely on the duration but on the undivided devotion that fills the night hours.

Scriptural Occurrence

Luke 6:12: “In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Luke alone notes this feature of the Lord’s prayer life, positioning it immediately before the calling of the Twelve (Luke 6:13). By highlighting the all-night vigil, Luke underscores the weight of the decision and the unique intimacy between the Son and the Father.

Christological Significance

1. Dependence on the Father: The all-night prayer reveals Jesus as the perfect Son who seeks the Father’s will in every major step of ministry (cf. John 5:19, John 8:28).
2. Model for Leadership: Before appointing leaders, Jesus devotes unbroken hours to communion with God, providing a pattern for ministry decisions in every era.
3. Foretaste of Gethsemane: The thematic link between this vigil and the later agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) shows a consistent habit of extended prayer when redemptive milestones approach.

Old Testament Background

Night-long encounters with God appear throughout Scripture:
• Jacob wrestled “until daybreak” and was renamed Israel (Genesis 32:24-28).
• Moses remained on Sinai forty days and nights (Exodus 24:18).
• The psalmist testifies, “At midnight I rise to give You thanks” (Psalm 119:62).

These antecedents frame night vigil as a time when critical covenantal moments unfold.

Early Church Practice

The first believers adopted similar rhythms:
• Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns “about midnight” in Philippi (Acts 16:25).
• Paul prolonged his discourse in Troas “until daybreak” (Acts 20:7-11), suggesting corporate willingness to sacrifice sleep for the word and fellowship.

Such passages show that the example of the Lord shaped apostolic expectation for devotion beyond daylight hours.

Spiritual Discipline of All-night Prayer

1. Watchfulness: Night hours sharpen alertness to spiritual realities (Mark 13:35-37).
2. Single-mindedness: Freed from daily distractions, the believer can seek God without interruption.
3. Intercession: Extended time allows the Spirit to broaden petitions from personal to global concerns (Ephesians 6:18).
4. Preparation for Ministry: As Jesus prayed before selecting the Twelve, churches often link vigils with ordinations, missionary commissioning, and seasons of discernment.

Historical Examples

• Early monastic communities scheduled night offices (vigiliae) based on Luke 6:12.
• The Moravian “Hourly Intercession” (Herrnhut, 1727) maintained unbroken prayer for over a century, fueling missionary expansion.
• Modern evangelical movements employ prayer watches to undergird evangelistic campaigns and church plants.

Application for Today

1. Personal Devotion: Believers may set apart occasional nights for unhurried worship, confession, and petition, trusting God to renew strength (Isaiah 40:31).
2. Corporate Gatherings: Churches can designate prayer vigils preceding strategic initiatives—leadership appointments, building projects, outreach events.
3. Crisis Response: In seasons of trial, all-night prayer glorifies God by testifying that His counsel outweighs physical comfort (Psalm 63:6-8).

Worship and Devotional Implications

The solitary mountain scene in Luke 6:12 invites adoration of Christ’s priestly heart. Worshipers meditate on His willingness to seek the Father through the darkness, leading them to echo His priorities in song and supplication. Hymnody citing “watches of the night” finds biblical warrant in this single verb.

Doctrinal Reflections

1. Sovereignty and Responsibility: Divine election of the apostles unfolds through human prayer, illustrating the harmony of God’s sovereignty and the believer’s responsibility.
2. Perseverance: The passage enjoins steadfastness; endurance in prayer anticipates endurance in suffering (Colossians 4:2).
3. Mediator Role: Jesus’ nightly intercession anticipates His ongoing priestly ministry “always living to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 1273 portrays more than a time reference; it unveils a window into the heart of the Savior and the rhythm of biblical spirituality. Jesus’ all-night prayer on the mountain stands as a timeless call to earnest, extended communion with the Father, shaping leadership, fueling mission, and modeling devotion for every generation of the church.