The Greek verb dianyktereuō (διανυκτερεύω) means to spend the entire night, to continue through the night without sleeping. It combines dia (through, throughout) with nyx/nyktos (night), painting the picture of someone who remains awake and active through all the dark hours. It appears only in Luke 6:12, describing Jesus' prayer practice before choosing the Twelve.
Luke 6:12 is one of Scripture's most illuminating windows into Jesus' prayer life: 'In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night (dianyktereuō) he continued in prayer to God.' The next morning He chose the twelve apostles. The most important decision of His ministry was preceded by the most intense prayer. This is not incidental — Luke highlights it as the proper preparation for critical Kingdom work. The one who was fully divine found it necessary, in His humanity, to pray through the night before choosing those who would carry His mission to the world. If the Son of God prayed all night before major decisions, how much more should His followers?