Luke 1:21

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.

Luke 1:21 in Other Translations

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.

21 Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary.

21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled while he tarried in the temple.

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were amazed that he was staying in the temple so long.

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

21 During that time, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out. They wondered why he stayed in the temple so long.

Luke 1:21 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:21

And the people waited for Zacharias
That were without, in the court of the Israelites, praying there, while he was offering incense: these were waiting for his coming out, in order to be blessed by him, according to ( Numbers 6:23-26 ) and be dismissed: and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple; beyond the usual time of burning incense; which might be occasioned either by a longer discourse of the angel with him than what is here related; or being struck with amazement at the sight and hearing of the angel, he might continue long musing on this unexpected appearance and relation; or he might spend some time not only in meditation upon it, but in mental prayer, confession, and thanksgiving. The high priest, when he went in to burn incense on the day of atonement,

``made a short prayer in the outward house, (in the temple,) and he did not continue long in his prayer, (tyebhl alv) , "that he might not affright" the Israelites'' ^F13,

thinking that he was dead; for many high priests that were unfit for, or made alteration in the service, died in the holy of holies ^F14.

``It is reported ^F15 of one high priest, that he continued long in his prayer, and his brethren, the priests, thought to have gone in after him; and they began to go in, and he came out; they say unto him, why didst thou continue long in thy prayer? he replied to them, is it hard in your eyes that I should pray for you, and for the house of the sanctuary, that it might not be destroyed? they answered him, be not used to do so; for we have learned, that a man should not continue long in prayer, that he may not affright Israel.''

This high priest, they elsewhere say ^F16, was Simeon the just.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Misna Yoma, c. 5. sect. 1.
F14 Maimon. & Bartenora in ib.
F15 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 53. 2.
F16 T. Hieros. Yoma, fol. 42. 3.

Luke 1:21 In-Context

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.

22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home.