Luke 1:8

Translations

Modern

One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Traditional

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

Literal

Now it came to pass in his serving as priest in the order of his division before God,

Latin

Factum est autem, cum sacerdotio fungeretur in ordine vicis suæ ante Deum,

Original

Greek

English

One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Notes

Luke 1:8–9

Zechariah's division was on duty … he was chosen by lot: It was common in Old Testament times to cast lots (similar to throwing dice) to determine God’s will (1 Chronicles 26:13–16; Nehemiah 11:1; Proverbs 16:33; Jonah 1:7). There were 24 orders of priests that took turns serving in the temple (1 Chronicles 24:1–19). They cast lots to choose which priest would serve in the sanctuary of the temple. There were many priests, so this honor might come only once in a priest's life. The angel appeared at the most holy moment of Zechariah's life.
to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense: Luke uses the Greek word naos to refer to the temple building. He did mean the whole temple complex (hieron), which he refers to as "the temple courts" (Luke 2:27). The temple complex included the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (see Hebrews 9:1–5). The priests burned incense twice a day in the Holy Place.

Theme notes and profiles

John the Baptist Sarah Angels Infertility The Blessings of Jesus Visions

Events

John's birth predictedc. 6 BC

Related verses

2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.
1 Chronicles 24:19
This was their appointed order for service when they entered the house of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
2 Chronicles 31:2
Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.
Luke 1:5
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.
Exodus 29:1
“Now this is what you are to do to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without blemish,
Exodus 29:9
Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.
Ezra 6:18
They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.
Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.
2 Chronicles 31:19
As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies.
Exodus 28:41
After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests.
Exodus 29:44
So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests.
Exodus 30:30
Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Gospel John the Baptist Luke, Gospel of Virgin Birth of Jesus Zacharias Zechariah (Person)

Topics

Barrenness: Miraculously Removed: Elisabeth Elisabeth (Elizabeth): The Wife of Zacharias and the Mother of John the Baptist Joy of Elisabeth, when Mary Visited Her Priest: The Time of Moses: Chosen by Lot Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Zacharias, officiating Priest In, Has a Vision of an Angel Zacharias (Zechariah): The Father of John the Baptist

Luke 1:8

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