Luke 1:8
 Luke 1:8 
New International Version (©2011)
Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

New Living Translation (©2007)
One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

International Standard Version (©2012)
When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence,

NET Bible (©2006)
Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And as he was exercising his priestly function in the order of his service before God,

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God's presence,

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

American King James Version
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

American Standard Version
Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,

Darby Bible Translation
And it came to pass, as he fulfilled his priestly service before God in the order of his course,

English Revised Version
Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, that, while he executed the priests' office before God in the order of his course,

Weymouth New Testament
Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the prescribed course of his class,

World English Bible
Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,

Young's Literal Translation
And it came to pass, in his acting as priest, in the order of his course before God,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:5-25 The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office,.... To which he was called and ordained, even to offer gifts and sacrifices for men; whilst he was in the way of his duty, when oftentimes God appears to, and in favour of his people; whilst he was performing it,

before God; in the temple, where was the symbol of the divine presence, before the altar of the Lord; and as having the fear of God before his eyes; considering himself as in the sight of God, and doing his work faithfully and sincerely:

in the order of his course; taking his turn in the order of the course of Abia, to which he belonged; See Gill on Luke 1:5.


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The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. …

1 Chronicles 24:19 This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
2 Chronicles 8:14 In keeping with the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their duties, and the Levites to lead the praise and to assist the priests according to each day's requirement. He also appointed the gatekeepers by divisions for the various gates, because this was what David the man of God had ordered.
2 Chronicles 31:2 Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions--each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites--to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the LORD's dwelling.
Luke 1:7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.