Luke 1:9 kjv
According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luke 1:9 nkjv
according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luke 1:9 niv
he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
Luke 1:9 esv
according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
Luke 1:9 nlt
As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
Luke 1 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 30:7-8 | "Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning... a regular incense" | Command for daily incense offering |
| Lev 16:17 | "No one is to be in the tent of meeting when Aaron goes in to make atonement" | Priest enters alone for sacred duties |
| Num 18:7 | "You and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for all things" | Priestly service established by God |
| 1 Chr 24:1 | "The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these..." | Organization of priestly courses/duties |
| 1 Chr 24:19 | "These were their regular duties for their service, as ordered..." | Prescribed order for priestly functions |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | "He appointed the divisions of the priests for their service..." | Temple service regulated by David's ordinances |
| Ps 141:2 | "May my prayer be set before you like incense..." | Incense as a symbol of prayer |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." | Divine providence in casting lots |
| Jon 1:7 | "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come" | Casting lots to determine God's will |
| Acts 1:26 | "They cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias..." | Apostolic practice of casting lots |
| Lk 1:5 | "There was in the days of Herod... a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah" | Zechariah's priestly lineage and duty |
| Lk 1:10 | "And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense." | Public prayer aligned with incense offering |
| Rev 5:8 | "...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." | Incense connected to saints' prayers in heaven |
| Rev 8:3-4 | "And another angel came... with much incense... prayers of all the saints." | Angelic offering of incense and prayers |
| Mt 21:12 | "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought..." | Refers to the Temple as a place of worship |
| Mt 21:13 | "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'..." | The Temple's purpose as a place of prayer |
| Jn 2:19-21 | "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." "He was speaking about the temple of his body." | Temple foreshadows Christ's body/person |
| Isa 56:7 | "...I will bring them to My holy mountain... My house shall be called a house of prayer" | Universal house of prayer concept |
| Heb 9:1-7 | "Now even the first covenant had regulations... sanctuary, the holy place..." | Describes the Tabernacle's Holy Place |
| Heb 10:19-20 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Holy Places by the blood of Jesus" | Christ opens access to the true Holy Place |
| Lk 1:11 | "And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense." | Angelic appearance at this sacred moment |
Luke 1 verses
Luke 1 9 Meaning
Luke 1:9 describes Zechariah, a priest, performing a sacred duty within the Jerusalem Temple. According to the established traditions of the priestly service, it was determined by lot that he would be the one to enter the Holy Place to burn incense before the Lord. This act was a rare and deeply significant privilege, highlighting the providential timing of God's interaction with Zechariah.
Luke 1 9 Context
Luke chapter 1 begins by introducing Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly, righteous, and childless priestly couple. Zechariah belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, one of the 24 courses established for Temple service (1 Chr 24:10). Priests served in the Jerusalem Temple twice a year for a week at a time. Within each priestly course, specific duties for the day were assigned by lot. Luke 1:9 specifically places Zechariah at the precise moment and in the very location where a divine intervention is about to occur: the daily burning of incense inside the Holy Place. This moment, coupled with the silent prayers of the multitude outside, sets the stage for the angelic announcement of John the Baptist's miraculous birth, fulfilling ancient prophecies and marking the transition towards the Messiah's advent. The adherence to sacred custom and tradition underscores the legitimacy of the setting for such a profound revelation.
Luke 1 9 Word analysis
- according to (κατὰ - kata): Denotes conformity or alignment with. Here, it signifies strict adherence to an established rule or pattern.
- the custom (τὸ ἔθος - to ethos): Refers to a traditional practice, established usage, or religious rite. It implies a long-standing, well-known, and respected way of doing things within Jewish temple service.
- of the priesthood (τῆς ἱερατείας - tes hierateias): Pertains to the office, duties, and practices of the priests collectively. It emphasizes that Zechariah's action was not arbitrary but part of a well-regulated divine service system.
- it fell to him by lot (ἔλαχε - elache): This is a key verb. Elache means "to obtain by lot" or "to receive as one's allotted portion." Casting lots was a common, Biblically sanctioned method of determining God's will, especially for dividing lands, appointing duties, or making decisions (e.g., Prov 16:33). This detail emphasizes that Zechariah’s specific turn for this highly privileged duty was divinely ordained.
- to go into (εἰσελθὼν - eiselthōn): A participial form meaning "having entered." It denotes the physical act of moving from the outer parts of the Temple complex into the sacred inner chamber.
- the temple (τὸν ναὸν - ton naon): This specific Greek term refers to the "sanctuary," the inner shrine, distinct from the broader temple precincts (which would be hieron). The naos included the Holy Place (where the incense altar was) and the Most Holy Place. Only priests were allowed in the Holy Place, making this an exclusive area.
- of the Lord (τοῦ Κυρίου - tou Kyriou): Designates God as the owner and object of the temple and its service. This links Zechariah's ritual duty directly to an act of worship before Yahweh.
- and burn incense (τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι - tou thumiasai): The primary purpose of Zechariah’s entry. Incense (קְטֹרֶת - qetoreth in Hebrew) was a specially prepared aromatic blend that created a fragrant smoke. This act was central to daily temple worship, performed morning and evening. Symbolically, the rising smoke of incense was often associated with prayers ascending to God (Ps 141:2, Rev 8:3-4). This was considered one of the highest honors a priest could perform.
Luke 1 9 Bonus section
- The particular "Temple" (ναὸς) Zechariah entered was the Holy Place, specifically where the altar of incense was located, distinguishing it from the broader "Temple courts" (hieron) where many could gather. This underlines the profound intimacy and holiness of the setting for the divine encounter.
- For an ordinary priest like Zechariah, performing the incense ritual was not a routine duty but a significant, likely unique, honor during their period of service. This element amplifies the significance of the subsequent angelic appearance, positioning it not as a chance event but a divinely orchestrated moment within a divinely chosen act.
- The connection between the burning incense and the prayers of the people is vital. The timing of the angelic appearance coinciding with the very moment of public prayer further illustrates God's responsiveness to His people's intercession and readiness to act in the midst of their devotion.
Luke 1 9 Commentary
Luke 1:9 paints a precise picture of Zechariah's sacred duty. The phrase "according to the custom of the priesthood" underscores the strict adherence to Levitical law and centuries of Temple tradition. Priestly families were numerous, and the honor of burning incense in the Holy Place was rare, often a once-in-a-lifetime privilege, assigned by casting lots, thereby considered divinely appointed. This moment was crucial because the incense offering, accompanied by the prayers of the multitude outside (Lk 1:10), represented the prayers of Israel ascending to God. It was in this intensely spiritual atmosphere, at this particular divine appointment, that Zechariah received the angelic visitation. The precise adherence to these established religious rituals validates the prophetic revelation that follows, demonstrating that God's new plan was deeply rooted in the faithfulness and order of the old covenant, signifying that God meets His people within the context of their obedience and worship. This event establishes John the Baptist's miraculous birth within the framework of God's perfect timing and purposeful preparation.