What does Luke 1:11 mean?

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Luke 1:11

Explanation

Luke 1:11 describes a supernatural event involving the appearance of an angel to Zechariah while he was performing his priestly duties. Zechariah, a member of the priestly division of Abijah, was chosen by lot according to the custom of the priesthood to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. The angel’s appearance on the right side, which is traditionally considered the place of favor and authority, signified the importance of the message that was about to be delivered. This message would announce the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Deeper meanings inferred from this verse include the intervention of God in human history to fulfill divine promises and the use of angels as messengers to convey important news to humanity.

Historical Context

The event described in Luke 1:11 occurs during the time of Herod the Great, who ruled Judea from 37 BCE to 4 BCE. In this period, the Second Temple was still standing in Jerusalem, and the Jewish priesthood operated within a well-established system of courses as outlined in 1 Chronicles 24:7-19. The altar of incense described in the verse was located in the Holy Place within the temple, where priests would perform their duties. Incense was burned as a symbol of the prayers and supplications of the people ascending to God.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse reveals God’s unfolding plan of salvation, positioning John the Baptist as the prophetic voice that would precede the Messiah. The coming of an angel signifies divine intervention and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s forerunner (such as Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1). Some theologians also see the right side of the altar as symbolizing Christ’s righteousness and his position of honor in heaven. The event asserts God’s willingness to communicate with his people, demonstrating his ongoing relationship with humanity.

Practical Applications

The encounter between Zechariah and the angel of the Lord in Luke 1:11 can inspire individuals to be attentive to God’s presence in everyday life and to the possibility that God can intervene in unexpected ways. The verse encourages believers to be faithful in their responsibilities, just as Zechariah was in his priestly duties. It also serves as a reminder to be open to divine messages and to respond with faith, even when they seem surprising or daunting.

Cross-References

• Luke 1:19: “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”
• Exodus 30:7-8: “And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.”
• Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”

Language Study

The original Greek word for “angel” in this verse is “ἄγγελος” (angelos), which means a messenger, envoy, or one who is sent. It conveys the concept of a celestial being who serves God by delivering messages to humans. The word translated as “stood” is “ἐστώς” (estōs), which indicates standing or being positioned in a place. The phrase “right side” comes from the Greek “δεξιὰ” (dexia), which refers to the right hand or side, often associated with power, authority, and favor in biblical literature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The appearance of divine or heavenly messengers is common in many ancient cultures and religious traditions. For instance, in ancient Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger of the gods. In the religious context of Second Temple Judaism, angels were viewed as intermediaries between God and humans. The Bible itself includes numerous instances of angelic appearances to people such as Abraham (Genesis 18), Jacob (Genesis 32), and Mary (Luke 1:26-28). The concept of a supernatural being delivering a divine message transcends many cultural and religious boundaries.

Scientific Perspectives

The appearance of an angel as described in Luke 1:11 does not readily align with modern scientific understandings of the natural world. Such events are typically interpreted through the lens of faith and religious belief rather than empirical evidence, as they pertain to the spiritual or supernatural realm. Science generally does not engage with claims of supernatural phenomena as they fall outside the scope of testable and observable processes.

commentaries

Regarding this verse, scholars and theologians offer varying interpretations:

• John Nolland in his “Word Biblical Commentary” emphasizes the dramatic nature of the angel’s appearance and the significance of the setting within the Holy Place.
• Joel B. Green in “The Gospel of Luke” highlights the role of the right side as a place of honor and the significance of the angelic appearance as a moment of divine visitation.
• Darrell L. Bock in his commentary “Luke” notes that the appearance of the angel and the specific location signify a turning point in the history of God’s saving actions.
• Robert H. Stein in “The New American Commentary” focuses on the angel’s position as indicative of a favorable message.

These commentaries reflect a consensus that the verse marks an important moment in the biblical narrative and represents a divine intervention into the life of Zechariah and, by extension, into the salvation history of humankind.