Luke 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.

According {G2596} to the custom {G1485} of the priest's office {G2405}, his lot {G2975} was to burn incense {G2370} when he went {G1525} into {G1519} the temple {G3485} of the Lord {G2962}.

he was chosen by lot (according to the custom among the cohanim) to enter the Temple and burn incense.

he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

according to the custom of the priestโ€™s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 1:9 (KJV)

Luke 1:9 describes a pivotal moment in the life of Zechariah, a priest, and father of John the Baptist. This verse sets the scene for the divine announcement of John's miraculous birth, highlighting the specific priestly duty Zechariah was performing at the time.

Historical and Cultural Context

The "custom of the priest's office" refers to the highly organized system of temple service in ancient Judaism. Due to the large number of priests (descendants of Aaron), they were divided into 24 courses, serving in the Jerusalem Temple for one week, twice a year. Within each course, specific duties for the day were assigned by lot (1 Chronicles 24:3). Burning incense on the altar of incense in the Holy Place was considered one of the most prestigious and rare duties, often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a priest. This act symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God, creating a sacred atmosphere for divine interaction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment: Zechariah's "lot" was not merely random chance but a divine appointment. It placed him in a unique position to receive a direct message from God through the angel Gabriel, concerning the birth of his son, John (Luke 1:13). This underscores God's sovereignty and precise timing in unfolding His plan.
  • The Significance of Incense: The act of burning incense was deeply symbolic. It represented the prayers of the people ascending to God, a theme echoed in other parts of Scripture where incense is directly linked to prayer (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3). Zechariah's sacred duty coincided with the collective prayers of Israel.
  • Preparation for Messiah: This seemingly ordinary temple service was a prelude to extraordinary events. It was during this solemn moment of worship and prayer that God began to reveal the immediate preparations for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, through the birth of His forerunner, John the Baptist.

Linguistic Insights

The term "lot" (Greek: klฤ“ros) refers to a casting of lots, a common ancient practice to determine outcomes, often believed to reveal divine will or ensure fairness, especially when assigning duties among many. In this context, it highlights that Zechariah's specific duty was not chosen by him but assigned through a customary, yet divinely guided, process.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God often works through the ordinary routines and duties of our lives. Zechariah was simply fulfilling his priestly obligation, yet it became the moment of a life-altering, world-changing encounter with the divine. It encourages believers to be faithful in their everyday responsibilities, recognizing that God can use any circumstance for His purposes. Furthermore, the symbolism of incense as prayer emphasizes the importance and power of prayer in our lives, assuring us that our supplications rise before God, just as Zechariah's incense did.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 29:11

    My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:13

    The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.

  • Exodus 30:7

    And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

  • Exodus 30:8

    And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

  • Numbers 16:40

    [To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

  • 1 Samuel 2:28

    And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel [to be] my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

  • 2 Chronicles 26:16

    ยถ But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to [his] destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
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