according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What might seem like a routine priestly duty was actually the most prestigious and coveted role, chosen by lot. This particular act of burning incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God, making it a moment of intense spiritual significance.
according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
We're introduced to Zechariah, a righteous priest serving in the Temple during the time of King Herod, a period when Jewish sovereignty was diminished. As part of a rotation system for priests, Zechariah was chosen by lot for the highly significant and coveted duty of burning incense inside the Holy Place, a task that symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God. This event, steeped in ancient tradition and religious significance, sets the stage for an extraordinary divine encounter.
Imagine a sacred duty so important, so coveted, that it's assigned by chance. This wasn't just any job; it was a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.
In ancient Israel, the priestly duties were meticulously organized, but the specific task of entering the Holy Place to burn incense was determined by lot.
The System of Lots
The 'Temple of the Lord' wasn't just a building; it was the very place God's presence dwelled. And Zacharias, a priest, was stepping into that sacred space.
The act of burning incense in the Temple held profound symbolic meaning, connecting the earthly to the heavenly.
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Entering the Holy Place
This wasn't just any priest; Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were described as 'righteous.' Yet, their obedience led to an encounter that would shake their world.
The narrative sets the stage by highlighting Zacharias's character, making the subsequent angelic visitation even more striking.
Righteousness and Divine Purpose
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.
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.
c. 450 BC
Davidic Priesthood Division
King David organizes the 24 priestly divisions, establishing a rotating service schedule for the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
c. 450 BC
Temple Service Regulations
The Law of Moses, particularly in Exodus and Leviticus, details the duties of priests, including the twice-daily burning of incense.
c. 450 BC
Lot System for Priestly Duties
To ensure fairness and prevent conflict, a system of drawing lots is implemented to assign specific tasks within the priestly divisions.
c. 40 BC
Herod the Great Rules Judea
Herod the Great, an Idumean appointed by Rome, begins his reign as King of Judea, marking a period of Roman influence.
c. AD 6-9
Roman Prefect Appointed
After Herod the Great's death, Judea is divided, and direct Roman rule is established through prefects, increasing political tension.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Temple Ministry of Zechariah
Zechariah, a priest from the division of Abijah, is serving in the Temple in Jerusalem and is chosen by lot to burn incense.
This passage describes the daily ritual of burning incense, providing the specific context and divine command behind the custom Zacharias was fulfilling.
1 Chronicles 24:3-19This chapter details David's organization of the priesthood into courses, which explains the established system of rotation and assignment of duties by lot that Luke references.
Leviticus 16:12-13This passage describes the high priest's solemn duty of entering the Most Holy Place with incense, highlighting the sacredness and symbolic significance of the incense offering as a representation of prayer ascending to God.
Psalm 141:2This verse directly connects the offering of incense with the prayers of God's people, illuminating the spiritual meaning behind Zacharias's action in the temple.
Revelation 8:3-4This New Testament passage also uses the imagery of incense and prayer, showing how the Old Testament ritual in Luke 1:9 was understood as a prefiguring of Christ's intercessory 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 might seem like a routine priestly duty was actually the most prestigious and coveted role, chosen by lot. This particular act of burning incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God, making it a moment of intense spiritual significance.
We're introduced to Zechariah, a righteous priest serving in the Temple during the time of King Herod, a period when Jewish sovereignty was diminished. As part of a rotation system for priests, Zechariah was chosen by lot for the highly significant and coveted duty of burning incense inside the Holy Place, a task that symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God. This event, steeped in ancient tradition and religious significance, sets the stage for an extraordinary divine encounter.
We're introduced to Zechariah, a righteous priest serving in the Temple during the time of King Herod, a period when Jewish sovereignty was diminished. As part of a rotation system for priests, Zechariah was chosen by lot for the highly significant and coveted duty of burning incense inside the Holy Place, a task that symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God. This event, steeped in ancient tradition and religious significance, sets the stage for an extraordinary divine encounter.
"according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense." — What might seem like a routine priestly duty was actually the most prestigious and coveted role, chosen by lot. This particular act of burning incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending t…
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Last reviewed October 2026