all night in prayer ... and when ... day, he called, etc. - The work with which the next day began shows what had been the burden of this night’s devotions. As He directed His disciples to pray for “laborers” just before sending themselves forth (see on Mat 9:37; see on Mat 10:1), so here we find the Lord Himself in prolonged communion with His Father in preparation for the solemn appointment of those men who were to give birth to His Church, and from whom the world in all time was to take a new mould. How instructive is this!