Luke Chapter 1 · Verse 11
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Original Language Analysis
ὤφθη
there appeared
G3700
ὤφθη
there appeared
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
1 of 12
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἄγγελος
an angel
G32
ἄγγελος
an angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
4 of 12
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
5 of 12
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἑστὼς
standing
G2476
ἑστὼς
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
6 of 12
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἐκ
on
G1537
ἐκ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 12
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δεξιῶν
the right side
G1188
δεξιῶν
the right side
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
8 of 12
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσιαστηρίου
of the altar
G2379
θυσιαστηρίου
of the altar
Strong's:
G2379
Word #:
10 of 12
a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
Historical Context
Temple service followed strict protocols established in the Mosaic law and refined through centuries of tradition. Only priests could enter the Holy Place, and offering incense was a once-in-a-lifetime privilege assigned by lot. The assembled people waited outside, praying during the incense offering. Gabriel's appearance during this solemn moment parallels other divine interventions at key redemptive moments (Moses at the burning bush, Isaiah's temple vision). The angel Gabriel had last appeared in Daniel 9:21 announcing the 70 weeks prophecy about Messiah's coming.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God choose this particular moment—during public temple worship—to announce John the Baptist's birth?
- How does the location of Gabriel's appearance (at the altar of incense during prayer) emphasize God's responsiveness to prayer?
Analysis & Commentary
The angel's appearance 'on the right side of the altar of incense' is highly significant. The right side represented the place of honor and favor in Jewish symbolism. The altar of incense stood in the Holy Place before the veil, representing prayers ascending to God. Gabriel's appearance at this exact location during Zechariah's prayer ministry signifies that God had heard the prayers for a son and for Israel's redemption. The timing—during temple service before assembled worshippers—would make this announcement maximally public and verifiable.