Luke 1:10
And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While we often focus on the priest within, this verse highlights the entire community engaged in unified prayer outside, linking their communal devotion directly to the precise moment of incense offering. This emphasizes that even without seeing the inner workings of the sanctuary, the people's collective spiritual posture was intrinsically tied to the sacred act of intercession.
The angel Gabriel is about to deliver a miraculous message to Zechariah, a priest performing his duty in the Temple. As Zechariah enters to burn incense, a large crowd of people is gathered outside, engaging in prayer at this significant liturgical moment. This setting emphasizes the national expectation for divine intervention and sets the stage for the announcement of John the Baptist's birth, a herald for the coming Messiah.
While the Temple was primarily known for sacrifice, its deeper purpose was also a place of intimate connection with God through prayer.
Luke highlights that at the very moment an angel appeared to Zacharias in the Holy Place, the 'whole multitude' was engaged in prayer outside. This wasn't just a casual gathering; it was a deeply spiritual moment.
A Place of Intercession
The Temple, while the center of sacrificial worship, also became a 'House of Prayer' (Isaiah 56:7). The offering of incense itself was a symbol of the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven. The people outside, praying at this significant time, were participating in this profound act of worship, a tradition that continued even when sacrifices ceased.
Anticipation and Expectation
This scene likely took place on a significant day, perhaps a Sabbath or a festival, drawing a large crowd. Many devout individuals, like Simeon and Anna, were present, 'waiting for the redemption of Israel' (Luke 2:25, 38). Their prayers, mingled with the incense, represented a collective yearning for God's intervention and the fulfillment of His promises.
The burning of incense wasn't just a ritual; it was a powerful symbol of God's acceptance of His people and their prayers.
The 'time of incense' was a specific, appointed moment in the daily Temple worship. The priest burning incense inside the Holy Place mirrored the prayers of the people gathered outside ascending to God.
Prayer and Sacrifice Linked
Incense was offered alongside the daily sacrifices. This connection signified that prayers, like sacrifices, were made acceptable to God through the atoning work represented by the sacrifices. The fragrant smoke rising was a tangible representation of prayers being received by God, making this a crucial time for both the priest and the people.
A Reminder of the Mediator
This ritual served as a constant reminder that access to God, even in prayer, is mediated. Just as the priest entered the Holy Place on behalf of the people, and the incense symbolized acceptance, our prayers are made acceptable through the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, and His ongoing intercession for us.
Understand the original words
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of communicating with God through petitions, thanksgiving, or confession. It is an expression of human dependence upon God and faith in His responsiveness to His people.
The scene unfolds during a time when Jewish hopes for national and spiritual renewal were high, making the angelic announcement to Zechariah a profoundly significant event for those waiting in prayer.
c. 1500 BC
Institution of the Priesthood
God establishes the Levitical priesthood and sets the order for service in the Tabernacle, later carried over to the Temple.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Priesthood Reorganization
King David, under divine guidance, reorganizes the priestly families into 24 courses to serve in rotation at the Temple.
c. 587 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile much of the population, disrupting Temple worship.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Following the return from exile, the Second Temple is completed, and Jewish religious life, including the priestly courses, is re-established.
c. 63 BC
This passage describes the command for daily incense offering, highlighting the sacredness of this specific time which the people were observing in Luke 1:10.
Psalm 141:2This psalm directly compares prayer to incense, echoing the symbolic connection made in Luke 1:10 where the people prayed during the incense offering.
Acts 3:1This passage shows Peter and John going to the temple 'at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour,' reinforcing the custom of appointed prayer times, just like the 'hour of incense' in Luke 1:10.
Revelation 8:3-4This vision in Revelation shows an angel with incense and the prayers of the saints, creating a beautiful theological link between prayer and incense that illuminates the people's actions in Luke 1:10.
cambridgeLuke 1:10: "And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense."
10 . the whole multitude ] This seems to shew that the vision took place either on a sabbath, or some great feast-day. praying ] The Temple was mainly used for sacrifice. Prayer in the Tabernacle is only once mentioned in the Pentateuch ( Deuteronomy 26:12-15 ). But the Temple had naturally become a ‘House of Prayer’ ( Isaiah 56:7 ; Nehemiah 11:17 ; Matthew 21:13 ). One of the Rabbis went so far as t…
calvinLuke 1:5-13: "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth."
- In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7. And the…
While we often focus on the priest within, this verse highlights the entire community engaged in unified prayer outside, linking their communal devotion directly to the precise moment of incense offering. This emphasizes that even without seeing the inner workings of the sanctuary, the people's collective spiritual posture was intrinsically tied to the sacred act of intercession.
The angel Gabriel is about to deliver a miraculous message to Zechariah, a priest performing his duty in the Temple. As Zechariah enters to burn incense, a large crowd of people is gathered outside, engaging in prayer at this significant liturgical moment. This setting emphasizes the national expectation for divine intervention and sets the stage for the announcement of John the Baptist's birth, a herald for the coming Messiah.
The angel Gabriel is about to deliver a miraculous message to Zechariah, a priest performing his duty in the Temple. As Zechariah enters to burn incense, a large crowd of people is gathered outside, engaging in prayer at this significant liturgical moment. This setting emphasizes the national expectation for divine intervention and sets the stage for the announcement of John the Baptist's birth, a herald for the coming Messiah.
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Roman Influence in Judea
Rome gains significant influence over Judea, eventually leading to the appointment of Herod the Great as king, a period marked by political instability and foreign rule.
c. 25 BC - 10 BC
Herod the Great's Temple Renovation
King Herod the Great begins a massive renovation and expansion of the Second Temple, a project that would continue for decades.
c. 1 BC - 1 AD— this verse
Angel Appears to Zechariah
While serving his priestly duty in the Jerusalem Temple, Zechariah encounters the angel Gabriel, who announces the birth of John the Baptist.
"And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense." — While we often focus on the priest within, this verse highlights the entire community engaged in unified prayer outside, linking their communal devotion directly to the precise moment of incense of…
