What does Luke 1:10 mean?

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

Explanation

Luke 1:10 describes a moment during the service at the Temple where the people are gathered outside while the incense offering is being made inside the sanctuary. The incense offering was part of the daily ritual conducted by the priests, and it symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God. The verse gives us a snapshot of communal worship and the dividing roles between the priesthood and the lay people in ancient Jewish religious practice. The “whole multitude” suggests a large gathering, emphasizing the communal aspect of prayer and the significance of the Temple as a focal point for Jewish worship.

Historical Context

This verse takes place in the New Testament, during the time of Herod the Great’s reign over Judea. The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem, which was the center of Jewish religious life. The practice described here pertains to the daily sacrifices and offerings commanded in the Law of Moses found in the Old Testament, specifically, the burnt offerings and incense described in Exodus 30:7-8. The time of the incense offering was one of two daily moments (morning and evening) when such rituals were performed by the priesthood.

Theological Insights

This verse has significance in several theological areas:

1. Jewish Ritual Practice: It underscores the ritual practices of Jewish worship that were meant to draw the community closer to God.
2. Intertestamental Piety: Luke’s Gospel, although a New Testament text, provides insight into intertestamental Jewish piety and the centrality of the Temple.
3. Christocentric Interpretation: From a Christian theological perspective, the prayers of the people and the offering of incense can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ’s mediating role between God and humanity, with Christ often being described as an intercessor whose own sacrifice replaced the temple sacrifices.

Practical Applications

• Community Worship: This verse can inspire modern believers to value communal worship and understand the power of gathering together in prayer.
• Reflection on Ritual: It encourages reflection on the purpose of spiritual rituals and how they can aid worship and communicate deeper spiritual truths.
• Constant Prayer: The daily occurrence of these rituals can remind believers of the need for constant prayer in their lives.

Cross-References

• Exodus 30:7-8 – “And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.”
• Revelation 5:8 – “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
• Psalm 141:2 – “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Luke 1:10 are as follows:

• “multitude” (πλῆθος, plēthos): This word suggests a large number of people, emphasizing the collective nature of the event.
• “praying” (προσευχόμενοι, proseuchomenoi): Referring to the act of prayer, indicating that while they were outside of the sanctuary, they were actively engaged in worship.
• “incense” (θυμιάματος, thymiamatos): This refers to the substance used in the sacrificial offering, representing the prayers of the people.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The offering of incense as a form of prayer or as part of religious ritual is not unique to Judaism. Many ancient religions, including those of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks, made use of incense in their religious ceremonies. The symbolic act of incense burning as an ascent to the divine was a widespread concept, signifying purification, sanctification, or divine appeasement.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding does not directly intersect with the rituals described in this verse. However, the psychological and sociological aspects of ritual practice can be studied. Science can explore how group religious practices and rituals impact social cohesion, individual well-being, and the collective emotional state of a community.

Commentaries

Experts in biblical studies offer various insights into Luke 1:10:

• Historical-Critical Scholarship: This approach might focus on the historical accuracy of the Temple practices described and their place within Second Temple Judaism.
• Literary Analysis: Scholars focused on literary context might examine how this verse serves as the setting for the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist, highlighting the divine intervention in a time of fervent prayer.
• Theological Commentary: Theologians often see this verse through the lens of foreshadowing the coming messianic age, interpreting the incense offering as the old covenant practices that will find fulfillment in Jesus Christ.