according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is that the "lot" wasn't just a random draw for any priestly duty; it specifically assigned the most coveted and solemn role: entering the Holy Place to burn incense, a task deeply symbolic of presenting the people's prayers before God. This wasn't just an administrative detail; it was the peak priestly service, a once-in-a-lifetime honor for most, making the divine appointment of Zacharias at this precise moment incredibly significant.
according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes a specific moment in the life of Zechariah, a priest serving during the reign of Herod the Great. He belonged to one of the twenty-four priestly divisions, and the daily duties within the Temple were assigned by lot. Burning incense was a highly significant and coveted role, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God, and it was during this unique and solemn occasion, within the Holy Place, that an angelic visitation would soon occur.
Imagine a daily draw, where your entire week's service—and a moment of incredible significance—is decided by chance. That's what happened to Zechariah.
Divine Order in Daily Service
The text highlights that Zechariah was chosen by lot to burn incense. This wasn't just a random pick; it was part of a system David established, confirmed by God, to bring order to the priesthood (1 Chronicles 24:3-5). This ensured fairness and prevented ambition from disrupting the sacred duties.
A Coveted and Solemn Duty
Burning incense was no small task. It was performed daily, morning and evening, in the Holy Place of the Temple (Exodus 30:7-8). This specific duty was highly coveted because it placed the priest directly in the presence of God, as a mediator for the people. The smoke of the incense symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4). To be chosen for this was a profound honor and a weighty responsibility, a moment where the veil between heaven and earth felt thin.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were known for their faithfulness, yet childless. God's intervention wasn't just about fulfilling a prayer; it was about a perfect divine appointment.
Living Blamelessly Before God
Luke describes Zechariah and Elizabeth as 'both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless' (Luke 1:6). This points to a life lived in deep obedience and devotion, not just outwardly, but with a sincere heart. They weren't perfect, but their lives were marked by a genuine commitment to God's ways.
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God's Purpose in Barrenness and Delay
Their inability to have children, especially in their old age, set the stage for a miracle. This wasn't a sign of God's displeasure, but a deliberate part of His plan to showcase His power and the extraordinary nature of the messenger He was about to send. Just as with Isaac's birth, their situation amplified the divine intervention, ensuring that John the Baptist's arrival would be recognized as directly from God.
Understand the original words
naos · Greek Noun
The dwelling place of God’s presence on earth, dedicated to His worship. It was the central location for sacrifices, ritual service, and communion between God and His people.
thymiama · Greek Noun
A substance burned as an offering to God, representing the prayers of the saints ascending to His throne. The act of burning it was a sacred liturgical duty performed in the presence of the Lord.
The detailed organization of the priesthood into rotating courses and the solemn ritual of burning incense highlight the structured worship and the deep reverence for God's presence within the Second Temple during this era.
~1000 BC
David Organizes Priesthood into Courses
King David, following divine instruction, divides the Levitical priesthood into 24 rotating courses to manage temple service and prevent disorder or ambition.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Dedicated
After the return from Babylonian exile, the Second Temple is completed and dedicated, restoring the sacrificial and priestly system.
c. 450 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah Reform
Religious and social reforms are enacted, reinforcing the Law and priestly duties following the return from exile.
c. 40 BC
Herod the Great Becomes King
Herod, an Idumean appointed by Rome, begins his rule over Judea, a period marked by his extensive building projects, including renovations to the Second Temple.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Priestly Lot Drawn for Incense Offering
Zechariah, a priest belonging to the course of Abijah, is chosen by lot to perform the highly sacred duty of burning incense in the Holy Place of the Second Temple.
This passage describes the daily command to burn incense in the Lord's sanctuary, directly linking to the specific duty Zacharias was chosen for by lot.
1 Chronicles 24:1-19This chapter details David's establishment of the priestly divisions and their assignments, explaining the 'custom of the priesthood' that governed how roles like Zacharias's were distributed by lot.
2 Chronicles 26:18-20This account of King Uzziah's transgression in burning incense illustrates the extreme sanctity and exclusivity of this priestly duty, highlighting the honor and risk involved when Zacharias was chosen.
Psalm 141:2This psalm speaks of prayers ascending like incense, a symbolic connection that illuminates the spiritual significance of Zacharias's act in the temple, representing the prayers of the people before God.
Revelation 8:3-4This New Testament vision shows an angel offering incense with the prayers of the saints, reinforcing the theme of incense symbolizing prayer and connecting Zacharias's Old Testament duty to a heavenly, ongoing ministry.
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…
clarkeLuke 1:9: "According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord."
His lot was, etc. - We are informed in the Talmud, that it was the custom of the priests to divide the different functions of the sacerdotal office among themselves by lot: and, in this case, the decision of the lot was, that Zacharias should at that time burn the incense before the Lord, in the holy place.
What's easily missed here is that the "lot" wasn't just a random draw for any priestly duty; it specifically assigned the most coveted and solemn role: entering the Holy Place to burn incense, a task deeply symbolic of presenting the people's prayers before God. This wasn't just an administrative detail; it was the peak priestly service, a once-in-a-lifetime honor for most, making the divine appointment of Zacharias at this precise moment incredibly significant.
This verse describes a specific moment in the life of Zechariah, a priest serving during the reign of Herod the Great. He belonged to one of the twenty-four priestly divisions, and the daily duties within the Temple were assigned by lot. Burning incense was a highly significant and coveted role, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God, and it was during this unique and solemn occasion, within the Holy Place, that an angelic visitation would soon occur.
This verse describes a specific moment in the life of Zechariah, a priest serving during the reign of Herod the Great. He belonged to one of the twenty-four priestly divisions, and the daily duties within the Temple were assigned by lot. Burning incense was a highly significant and coveted role, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God, and it was during this unique and solemn occasion, within the Holy Place, that an angelic visitation would soon occur.
"according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense." — What's easily missed here is that the "lot" wasn't just a random draw for any priestly duty; it specifically assigned the most coveted and solemn role: entering the Holy Place to burn incense, a…
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Last reviewed October 2026