Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. Luke 10:20-21 NKJV

Verse 21 says that Jesus “rejoiced in the Spirit”. The Amplified translation says that He “rejoiced and gloried in the Holy Spirit”.

In that same hour He rejoiced and gloried in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things [relating to salvation] from the wise and understanding and learned, and revealed them to babes (the childish, unskilled, and untaught). Yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will and choice and good pleasure. Luke 10:21 AMP

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and He rejoiced. The Greek word for “rejoiced” is agalliao (ag-al-lee-ah’-o). It means: to jump for joy; exult; be (exceeding) glad; with exceeding joy: rejoice (greatly).

It means:

Getting so glad, one jumps in celebration.

To exult or boast, because one is so experientially joyful.

Literally to “laugh very much” or “to laugh uncontrollably”

In other words, this passage says that Jesus was so full of exceeding joy that He laughed, exulted, jumped and celebrated. Jesus was full of life and joy! This kind of joy only comes by and through the Holy Spirit. It is not a product of the flesh or natural means.

And Mary said, My soul magnifies and extols the Lord, 47 And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 For He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations [of all ages] will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied! 49 For He Who is almighty has done great things for me — and holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty and glory]! Luke 1:46-49 AMP

His mother, Mary, when she was pregnant with baby Jesus, experienced this same exultant, spiritual joy (agalliao) as the Holy Spirit came upon her and she magnified the Lord and prophesied.

John 8:56

KJV: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

AMP: Your forefather Abraham was extremely happy at the hope and prospect of seeing My day (My incarnation); and he did see it and was delighted.

The Lord showed Abraham the future. He rejoiced (agalliao) as he saw the coming Messiah, and His sacrifice, and the day of salvation for all man. Even though Abraham would not see the salvation of our Lord with his eyes, he saw it by faith (Hebrews 11:13) and he laughed, rejoiced and exulted.

Then [the jailer] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling and terrified he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out [of the dungeon] and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved? 31 And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well. 32 And they declared the Word of the Lord [the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and bathed [them because of their bloody] wounds, and he was baptized immediately and all [the members of] his [household]. 34 Then he took them up into his house and set food before them; and he leaped much for joy and exulted with all his family that he believed in God [accepting and joyously welcoming what He had made known through Christ]. Acts 16:29-34 AMP

Paul and Silas’ jailor almost took his own life when he thought all the prisoners had escaped. He asked them how to be saved and he and his family received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then he greatly rejoiced (agalliao) – he leaped much for joy, and exulted.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9 NKJV

The joy (agalliao) we feel, when we are touched by the power and presence of God, is a heavenly joy that is full of glory and beyond human ability to express. Thank God, He has given us the ability to laugh, jump and dance, to be able to express the great joy we feel on the inside. We only receive the full benefit of it when we release and allow it to be expressed through us, rather than bottling it up. Laughter is medicine that is good for both heart and soul.

After that I heard what sounded like the shout of a vast throng, like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent (the All-Ruler) reigns! 7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.

Revelation 19:6-7 AMP

For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent reigns! Let His bride rejoice (agalliao), and shout, and laugh, with exultant and triumphant heavenly joy!