Devine Scripture

Luke 1:11

What does Luke 1:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:11 means

An angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias, standing at the right of the altar of incense. This is a dramatic theophanic moment: the angel’s presence in the holy place beside the incense altar signals a direct message from God. The right side denotes honor and authority. The appearance interrupts ritual and demonstrates that God chooses to communicate through messengers, intervening in human affairs to declare purposes that exceed ordinary expectation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he saw an angel of the Lord in his place on the right side of the altar.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of the perfume,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And an angel of [the] Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the altar of incense.

Context

This follows the setting of incense and prayer and delivers the supernatural turn. After describing the temple context and people praying, Luke introduces the angelic messenger. The placement by the altar links divine word to worship, and it begins the angel’s message concerning the couple’s future child.

v.10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.

v.11This passage

v.12And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 5:19

    But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,

  • 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.

  • Exodus 30:1

    And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of acacia wood shalt thou make it.

  • Luke 2:10

    And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:

  • Hebrews 1:14

    Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?

  • Judges 13:3

    And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not; but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

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