What does Luke 1:21 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 1:21 refers to a moment when the people outside the temple were waiting for Zechariah (Zacharias in the King James Version), the father of John the Baptist, to finish his priestly duties in the temple of Jerusalem.

The verse notes that the crowd was puzzled and intrigued by the fact that he was taking an unusually long time inside the temple.

This verse sets the stage for the revelation of Zechariah's encounter with the angel Gabriel, who announces the future birth of John the Baptist.

It highlights the anticipation and concern of those waiting, suggesting that Zechariah's prolonged stay in the temple was out of the ordinary and, therefore, noticeable.

Historical Context

This verse is set in the historical context of the 1st century Judea, under Roman occupation.

Zechariah was a priest belonging to the division of Abijah, which was one of the 24 priestly divisions that served in the temple in a rotating schedule.

Each division served for one week, twice a year.

During this time, they performed various duties, including offering incense.

The offering of incense was seen as an important and holy task, and the priest who was chosen to do so was considered to have a great honor bestowed upon them.

It was during such a service that Zechariah encountered the angel Gabriel.

Theological Insights

Theologians see this verse as an example of God's divine intervention in the lives of His faithful.

From a Christian theological perspective, this event is viewed as a prelude to the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, who would later prepare the way for Jesus Christ.

It also shows an immediate reaction from the laypeople who had expectations about the religious practices and noticed when those expectations were not met.

Furthermore, the incident underlines the theme of waiting and divine timing, which is recurrent in Christian teachings. The fact that the people were marveling, rather than reacting with impatience, may also be interpreted as a collective sense of something extraordinary unfolding.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse can center on patience and faith.

In times of uncertainty or when faced with the unexpected, the verse encourages individuals to be patient and to trust in the divine plan.

Just as the people waited and marveled, one can interpret this as a call to be observant and aware that sometimes delays or changes in what is expected may be signs of something greater at work.

Additionally, it can be applied to the importance of community in faith; the fact that there was a group of people waiting together suggests the value of collective support and shared experiences in religious life.

Cross-References

• Luke 1:9: "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 1:18: "And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years."
• Luke 1:63: "And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.

And they all marvelled."

• Exodus 30:7-8: "And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it."

Language Study

The word "marvelled" in this verse comes from the Greek word "θαυμάζω" (thaumazō), which means to wonder, be amazed, or admire. It indicates a level of astonishment among the people waiting outside the temple.

Additionally, the word "tarried" translates from the Greek "χρονίζω" (chronizō), which means to spend or take a long time or to delay. This language study emphasizes the crowd's sense of unexpected delay and wonder regarding Zechariah's prolonged presence in the temple.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions and cultural myths, the idea of a divine encounter within a sacred space is common.

For example, in Greek mythology, oracles, like the one at Delphi, would receive divine messages inside temples.

Similarly, in ancient Judaism, the Holy of Holies within the Temple was the place where the High Priest would communicate with Yahweh on behalf of the Israelites.

Zechariah's encounter in the temple aligns with the broader ancient theme that sacred spaces are locations where communication between the divine and humans occurs.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct scientific angle to the event described in this verse as it recounts a historical religious occurrence.

However, modern psychology might analyze the crowd’s reaction as a social behavior where a collective anticipation leads to group marveling.

From an anthropological perspective, the importance of religious ritual and its impact on the community can be studied and compared across different cultures and times.

Commentaries

Traditional biblical commentaries often focus on the significance of the temple, the role of the priest, and the announcement of the miraculous birth of John the Baptist as integral to the unfolding story of salvation history in Christian theology.

They might explore the character of Zechariah, his faith and doubt, and the reactions of those around him.

Modern commentaries might discuss the cultural implications of the event or consider the psychological aspects of the communal waiting and response to the unexpected.

They also might draw attention to the literary structuring of Luke’s narrative, noting how this verse builds suspense and foreshadows the miraculous events to follow.