Devine Scripture

Luke 1:10

What does Luke 1:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:10 means

While Zacharias was inside burning incense, the people outside prayed at that time. The incense hour was linked with communal prayer, so the public was engaged in worship while the priest ministered. This shows how personal revelation intersected with corporate devotion. The people’s prayers frame the event as part of Israel’s spiritual life; God responds not in isolation but within the fabric of communal worship and yearning for his intervention.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And all the people were offering prayers outside, at the time of the burning of perfumes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of the perfume.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And all the multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.

Context

Placed right before the angelic appearance, this verse shows that the revelation happened during an intense moment of corporate prayer. It connects the inner sanctuary’s action with the outer assembly’s longing. The scene highlights both private and public dimensions of God’s activity.

v.9according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

v.10This passage

v.11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 16:17

    And there shall be no man in the tent of meeting when he goeth in to make atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

  • Revelation 8:3

    And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

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