Luke 1:11 kjv

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:11 nkjv

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:11 niv

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:11 esv

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:11 nlt

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 11 Meaning

Luke 1:11 describes a momentous divine encounter that inaugurates the prophetic breaking of a long period of spiritual silence in Israel. While the high priest Zacharias was performing his sacred duties, an angel of the Lord, God's chosen messenger, suddenly and visibly manifested within the Holy Place of the Temple. The angel's authoritative presence, specifically positioned at the right side of the altar of incense—the very place where the prayers of God’s people were symbolically ascending—signified a divinely initiated and blessed message was about to be delivered, confirming that God was responding to His people’s earnest longings. This vision serves as the opening act in God's pre-ordained plan for salvation through John the Baptist and ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Luke 1 11 Context

Luke chapter 1 begins by setting the scene in the reign of King Herod of Judea, emphasizing the specific historical period. It introduces Zacharias, a priest of the division of Abijah, and his righteous wife, Elizabeth. Both are advanced in age and, significantly, are childless—a profound source of sorrow and cultural stigma in their time. The passage immediately preceding verse 11 describes Zacharias performing his unique and once-in-a-lifetime priestly duty of entering the Holy Place of the Temple to burn incense, while the multitude of people prayed outside. This specific act, laden with spiritual significance as a symbolic representation of the people's prayers ascending to God, forms the backdrop against which the sudden and unexpected divine intervention occurs, breaking a long silence during which there had been no direct prophetic word or angelic appearance in Israel for some 400 years.

Luke 1 11 Word analysis

• And there appeared (Greek: kai ōphthē, καὶ ὤφθη):
  • kai: "And," functions as a simple conjunction, linking this event to the preceding narrative of Zacharias's temple service.
  • ōphthē: "appeared," from horao (to see, behold). This aorist passive form implies a sudden, divinely initiated manifestation. It indicates that the appearance was not sought by Zacharias but was granted by God, emphasizing divine agency. This is common biblical language for God or His messengers making themselves visible, often signifying a supernatural or miraculous event.
• unto him (Greek: autō, αὐτῷ):
  • "Him" refers specifically to Zacharias, the priest currently ministering in the Holy Place. This personal address highlights that this divine revelation is specifically for him, marking him as the chosen recipient of this significant message. It underscores the intimacy and directness of God's communication with His chosen servant.
• an angel of the Lord (Greek: angelos Kyriou, ἄγγελος Κυρίου):
  • angelos: "messenger, angel." A common term in both Greek and Hebrew scriptures for celestial beings dispatched by God.
  • Kyriou: "Lord," referring to God. This specific phrase, "angel of the Lord," carries significant weight in both Testaments. In the Old Testament, it sometimes functions as a theophany or Christophany, a direct manifestation of God Himself or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In the New Testament, while generally referring to a created angelic being, it consistently denotes an entity with divine authority and a direct mandate from God, making the message one of paramount importance and divine origin. In this narrative, the angel later identifies himself as Gabriel (Lk 1:19), indicating an angel of high rank who stands in the presence of God.
• standing (Greek: hestōs, ἑστώς):
  • "Standing," perfect active participle. This posture suggests a stable, firm, and authoritative presence. It's not a fleeting vision or a momentary glimpse but a solid, real, and unwavering appearance. It implies readiness to act or deliver a message, denoting solemnity and purpose rather than a casual or passive presence.
• on the right side (Greek: ek dexiōn, ἐκ δεξιῶν):
  • ek: "out of, from," indicating position or source.
  • dexiōn: "right," genitive plural from dexios. The "right side" traditionally symbolizes honor, power, favor, and blessing throughout the biblical narrative (e.g., Christ seated at the right hand of God, the sheep on the right in judgment). The angel's placement here signals that his message is from God, carries His authority, and will bring a blessed and favorable outcome to Zacharias and to God’s plan. It implies a favorable disposition towards Zacharias and the impending message, not a position of opposition or threat.
• of the altar of incense (Greek: tou thysiastēriou tou thymiamaṭos, τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου τοῦ θυμιάματος):
  • thysiastēriou: "altar."
  • thymiamaṭos: "incense." This specific altar was a crucial piece of furniture in the Holy Place, standing directly before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place. Burning incense on it daily symbolized the prayers of God’s people ascending to Him (Ps 141:2, Rev 8:3-4). Its location is highly significant, placing the divine encounter at the very epicenter of worship and prayer. The angel appears at the altar where Zacharias is performing the ritual of intercession, suggesting a direct divine response to the very act of worship and the prayers being offered.

Luke 1 11 Bonus section

• Breaking the Silence: For over 400 years, from the time of Malachi, direct prophetic revelation and angelic appearances were believed to have ceased in Israel. This dramatic appearance of the angel to Zacharias profoundly marked the end of this period, signaling God's re-engagement in an open and public way with His people, ushering in the New Testament era of revelation.
• Significance of the Temple: The Temple in Jerusalem, particularly the Holy Place, was considered the very dwelling place of God's presence on earth. An angelic appearance within such sacred space intensified the divine significance and sacredness of the message being delivered. It underlined that this was a truly divine moment, not a mere hallucination or human construction.
• Preparation for the Messiah: This vision at the altar of incense initiates the twin narratives of John the Baptist's birth and then Jesus' birth. The sanctity and solemnity of the encounter prepare the audience for the magnitude of the events that will follow. It confirms that the coming salvation is orchestrated by God from its very earliest moments.

Luke 1 11 Commentary

Luke 1:11 encapsulates a pivotal moment in salvation history, marking the dramatic cessation of the long intertestamental silence. It emphasizes divine initiative through a startling, unbidden angelic manifestation to Zacharias within the most sacred and restricted area accessible to him in the Temple. The "angel of the Lord," a phrase laden with divine authority, appearing "on the right side" signifies a message of favor, power, and blessing rather than judgment or condemnation, indicating God's favorable disposition towards Zacharias and His impending action.

The chosen location—the altar of incense—is critical. While Zacharias performed the prayer-laden ritual of offering incense, God responds with an immediate and direct answer to the prayers symbolized by the ascending smoke. This setting affirms that God hears the prayers of His people and is actively engaged in His unfolding plan. This vision is not merely an isolated miracle but the opening note in a grand symphony of prophecy fulfillment, heralding the advent of John the Baptist, the forerunner, and ultimately, the Messiah Himself. It assures that God has not forgotten His covenant promises and is breaking into human history to deliver His redemptive purposes. It stands as a powerful testament to God's presence amidst sincere worship and His responsiveness to the longings and prayers of His faithful.