Luke 1:8 kjv
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
Luke 1:8 nkjv
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,
Luke 1:8 niv
Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
Luke 1:8 esv
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,
Luke 1:8 nlt
One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
Luke 1 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 24:1 | The divisions of the sons of Aaron... | Establishes the priestly courses by David. |
| 1 Chr 24:10 | The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, | Identifies Zechariah's specific priestly course (Abijah). |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | According to the ordinance of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service... | Confirms Solomon upholding David's ordered priestly service. |
| Neh 12:24 | The heads of the Levites were Hashabiah... the chiefs of the priests... according to their courses... | Refers to the continuation of priestly courses in the post-exilic Temple. |
| Luke 1:5 | In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah... | Establishes Zechariah's priestly lineage and division, directly preceding this verse. |
| Luke 1:9 | According to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. | Elaborates on the specific duty Zechariah was performing, indicating rare opportunity. |
| Exod 28:1 | "You shall bring Aaron your brother... that he may minister to Me as priest." | Commands the institution of the Aaronic priesthood. |
| Num 3:6-7 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him." | Establishes the Levites assisting the priests in their ministry. |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark... to minister to Him..." | Confirms the Levites' appointment to minister before the Lord. |
| Mal 3:1 | "And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming," says the Lord of hosts. | Prophecy of the Lord's sudden arrival at His Temple, tying into divine visitation during temple service. |
| Heb 7:11-14 | If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood... there was no further need for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek... | Highlights the temporary nature and limitations of the Aaronic priesthood compared to Christ. |
| Heb 9:6-7 | These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes... | Describes the daily priestly functions within the Tabernacle/Temple. |
| Exod 30:7-8 | "Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it." | Specific command for priests to burn incense, Zechariah's task. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Reflects the biblical principle of order, echoing "in the order of his course." |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. | Contrasts the limited access of the old covenant with new covenant's direct access to God. |
| Ps 134:1 | Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! | An invitation to praise those who minister in God's house, acknowledging priestly service. |
| Exod 19:6 | "and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." | The ideal of God's people as a "kingdom of priests," later fulfilled in the church (1 Pet 2:9). |
| Rev 1:6 | and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory... | A New Testament fulfillment of the "kingdom of priests" concept. |
| Acts 13:39 | ...and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. | Highlights the inadequacy of the Law, including the priesthood, to provide full liberation. |
| Rom 10:4 | For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. | Connects the transition from old covenant ritual to Christ's definitive work. |
| Heb 10:11-12 | And every priest stands daily ministering and offering the same sacrifices... but when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. | Compares the continuous but incomplete sacrifices of earthly priests with Christ's completed work. |
Luke 1 verses
Luke 1 8 Meaning
Luke 1:8 describes the specific time and circumstance under which the angelic annunciation to Zechariah occurred. It portrays him faithfully discharging his priestly duties in the Temple, serving God in the order appointed to his priestly division. This verse underscores his righteousness and adherence to God's law, setting the stage for divine intervention in the life of a devout man.
Luke 1 8 Context
Luke chapter 1 begins by establishing Luke's careful research (vv. 1-4) before introducing Zechariah and Elizabeth (v. 5), devout and righteous individuals serving God in obedience to His commands. Verse 8 places Zechariah squarely within the established, divinely ordained system of temple worship during his time of service. Historically, the Jerusalem Temple was the spiritual heart of Judaism, and priestly service was a revered duty, strictly organized according to ancient Mosaic law and Davidic regulations. Zechariah, as a priest of the course of Abijah, was participating in a routine, yet sacred, rotation of service among the 24 priestly divisions. This setting underscores the fidelity of God's people to the covenant while simultaneously preparing the reader for a dramatic, divinely initiated shift, signaling the beginning of God's new redemptive work through John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. The description of Zechariah's faithful observance within this traditional framework highlights that God often chooses to work through, rather than entirely outside, established orders and devout individuals.
Luke 1 8 Word analysis
- And it came to pass: Greek: καὶ ἐγένετο (kai egeneto). This is a common phrase in biblical narrative, frequently found in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) as a translation for the Hebrew wayehi. It serves as a narrative marker, indicating a new event or the unfolding of a story according to divine superintendence, emphasizing historical accuracy and the orderly progression of God's plan.
- that while he executed: Greek: ἐν τῷ ἱερατεύειν (en tō hierateuein). The phrase uses an infinitive with a preposition ("in the to priest"), which forms a temporal clause, meaning "while he was performing his priestly duties" or "during his serving as priest." It indicates a continuous action.
- the priest's office: The term ἱερατεύειν (hierateuein) itself encapsulates "to act as priest" or "to perform priestly service." It signifies the sacred functions and duties associated with the Aaronic priesthood, including sacrifices, offerings, and ministering in the Temple.
- before God: Greek: ἔναντι τοῦ Θεοῦ (enanti tou Theou). This phrase means "in the presence of God" or "in God's sight." It emphasizes the sacredness and reverence of the service, as priests acted as mediators and served ultimately before the divine presence, implying purity, accountability, and divine observation. It reinforces that their duties were not merely ritualistic but intrinsically related to their relationship with the Almighty.
- in the order: Greek: ἐν τῇ τάξει (en tē taxei). This refers to the structured arrangement or division of the priestly duties. King David organized the multitude of priests into 24 distinct courses or divisions to ensure an orderly and continuous ministration in the Temple (1 Chr 24). This highlights the meticulous and organized nature of the Mosaic law and Temple worship.
- of his course: Greek: τῆς ἐφημερίας αὐτοῦ (tēs ephēmerias autou). The term ἐφημερία (ephemeria) refers to a priestly division or course, indicating a specific period of service, typically a week. Zechariah belonged to the course of Abijah (Luke 1:5; 1 Chr 24:10), which served twice a year. This specifies the particular rotation and time when Zechariah's division was on duty in the Temple, underscoring his adherence to the established rotation and his diligent performance of his responsibilities during his appointed time.
Luke 1 8 Bonus section
The details provided in Luke 1:8, combined with Luke 1:9, imply the rarity and significance of Zechariah's assigned duty to burn incense. With thousands of priests from 24 divisions, a priest might only receive the honor of burning incense once in their lifetime, or not at all. This "lot" selection adds an element of divine appointment and singular privilege to the already orderly context, intensifying the moment for the angel Gabriel's appearance. It's a reminder that God often chooses to work within existing structures and traditions, yet His timing and method of intervention are sovereign, elevating seemingly routine obedience into a profoundly sacred encounter. This precise depiction also lends credibility to Luke's historical account, showing an intimate knowledge of Jewish temple practices.
Luke 1 8 Commentary
Luke 1:8 succinctly portrays Zechariah as a faithful servant meticulously fulfilling his sacerdotal duties within the established order of the Jerusalem Temple. This setting is crucial; God's revelation doesn't occur in chaos but amidst orderly devotion. The phrase "before God" emphasizes the sanctity of his service, transcending mere ritual to denote an act performed in God's holy presence, acknowledging divine oversight and spiritual weight. His participation "in the order of his course" speaks to the divine wisdom in the organized worship system laid down from Moses and refined by David, ensuring a regular, dedicated ministration before the Lord. It signifies not only obedience but also the quiet, ordinary faithfulness that often precedes extraordinary divine encounters. This verse highlights that Zechariah was not just any priest, but one actively and faithfully engaged in his divinely appointed role when God chose to unveil His salvific plan, establishing a theological bridge from the Old Covenant's structured worship to the new era of grace ushered in by John the Baptist and Jesus. It shows God intervening at a point of diligent human obedience, fulfilling His promises through His appointed servants.