Luke 1:8

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Luke 1:8 in Other Translations

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

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.

8 It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment,

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

Luke 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:8

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's
office
To which he was called and ordained, even to offer gifts and sacrifices for men; whilst he was in the way of his duty, when oftentimes God appears to, and in favour of his people; whilst he was performing it,

before God;
in the temple, where was the symbol of the divine presence, before the altar of the Lord; and as having the fear of God before his eyes; considering himself as in the sight of God, and doing his work faithfully and sincerely:

in the order of his course;
taking his turn in the order of the course of Abia, to which he belonged; (See Gill on Luke 1:5).

Luke 1:8 In-Context

6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

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

10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Chronicles 24:19; 2 Chronicles 8:14