Notes on John the Baptist's Father

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. - Luke 1:5.

"Of the course fo Abia" - of the priestly line of the sons of Aaron, I Chronicles 24:10, "Abijah"; one of the 24 courses, or rotations of priests into which David divided all the descendants of Aaron, to take their turns in the daily temple ministry.  Each course would have to report to the temple at Jerusalem for their ministry at least two different times in the year, so there is no way to fix a date on this event (or to calculate dates for the births of John the Baptist or Christ from this event).

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. - Luke 2:8-9.

Incense was burnt twice a day, every day, before the morning and evening sacrifice: Exodus 30:7-8; Exodus 40:17-33.  Only the descendants of Aaron were to perform this ritual: Numbers 16; II Chronicles 26:16-21.  Compare Hebrews 5:4.

"His lot" - of all the priests reporting for duty at the temple at any given time, lots were chosen to determine each man's duty.  Some were to kill the sacrifice, some to burn it, some to sweep the ashes, some to burn the incense, etc.  See Lightfoot's commentary for more on this.

And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. - Luke 1:10.

Each day at the morning and evening sacrifice, there was the time of music, the time of incense, the time of sacrifice, etc.  The incense was burned to picture the prayers of God's people arising to heaven, alluded to in Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4.  The people were not allowed in the temple at this time (Number 16:40), so they were outside praying during the time of incense.  Peter and John went to the temple grounds to pray during one of these times of prayer, at the evening sacrifice, Acts 3:1.  They would have been gathered outside to pray when the incense was burned.

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. - Luke 1:22.

The people were expecting the usual and customary priestly blessing as he left the temple, Numbers 6:22-27.  He is unable to give it.

Zacharias was struck not only dumb (mute) but also deaf.  See Luke 1:62.

VM