Luke 1:10

And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Luke narrates the moment Zechariah enters the temple to perform the priestly incense duty. The scene occurs precisely during the designated hour for the offering.

The words — πλῆθος τοῦ λαοῦ (plēthos tou laou) translates literally to "multitude of the people," and προσευχόμενον (proseuchomenon) means "praying." These terms specify that the entire assembly was engaged in corporate prayer outside the sanctuary.

The thread — The restriction of temple access during sacred rites echoes Leviticus 16:17, while the incense altar motif reappears in Revelation 8:3. Hebrews 4:14 later frames the priestly mediation in light of Christ.

Why it lands — The text establishes that Zechariah’s private duty occurs within a public worship context, requiring the reader to note the precise timing before the narrative shifts to a supernatural encounter.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiAnd πᾶνpanall τὸtothe πλῆθοςplēthosmultitude ἦνēnwere τοῦtouof the λαοῦlaoupeople προσευχόμενονproseuchomenonpraying ἔξωexōoutside τῇtēaat the ὥρᾳhōrahour τοῦtouof the θυμιάματος.¶thumiamatosincense.

King James Version

And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

Cross-references

Leviticus 16:17 No one may be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he leaves, after he has made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole assembly of Israel.
Revelation 8:3 Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.