Luke 1:8 Commentary and Bible Study

God’s providence and his supernatural intervention are working together. ‘It came to pass’ should be read as God’s precise arranging of events according to his perfect timing and sovereign will, to cause Zacharias to be present in the temple where he is going to receive this message. Nothing is by chance when it comes to God’s plan. To speak of chance events is only to speak in terms of man’s limited view of things, but every now and then Scripture focuses in on an event of supreme importance to show us that what we see as chance is the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose. These circumstances are of such importance because the conception and birth and ministry of John the Baptist is so closely linked to the coming of the Son of God into the world. Zacharias belonged to the course of Abia, and it was this division’s turn to minister in the temple at that time. Furthermore, there were lots cast to determine who should carry out the task which had such great honour attached to it: the task of burning incense on the golden altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-6). Hendriksen gives a description of what would have taken place, and tells us that the privilege of burning incense on the altar was something that a priest only did once in their life. It was here that God’s angel was going to appear to Zacharias. All that we are told here led up to this wonderful revelation.Outside the sanctuary, the people gathered and waited. It was their part to receive the priest’s blessing as he emerged from the temple, and then sing songs of praise. Hendriksen refers us to Edersheim for these details. The gathered people outside the temple will play their part in what follows.