SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:10
Y toda la multitud del pueblo estaba fuera orando a la hora del incienso.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 1:10
Verse 10. The whole multitude-were praying] The incense was itself an emblem of the prayers and praises of the people of God: see Psa. cxli. 2; Rev. viii. 1. While, therefore, the rite is performing by the priest, the people are employed in the thing signified. Happy the people who attend to the spirit as well as the letter of every divine institution! Incense was burnt twice a day in the temple, in the morning and in the evening, Exod. xxx. 7, 8; but the evangelist does not specify the time of the day in which this transaction took place. It was probably in the morning.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without , etc.] In the court of the Israelites, whilst Zacharias was in the holy place; though not in the holy of holies, where only the high priest entered: it looks, as Dr. Lightfoot conjectures, as if this was on a sabbath day, since there was such a multitude of people together; for on the weekday, there were only the priests and Levites of the course, and the stationary men, which represented the Israelites, and some of the more devout sort of the people; but here was the whole multitude of the people; or as the Ethiopic version renders it, all the people were in a full congregation praying: prayer, was wont to be made at the time of incense; hence it is compared to it, ( <19E102> Psalm 141:2). And hence it is, that Christ is said to offer up the prayers of all saints, with his much incense, ( Revelation 8:3,4) in the time of incense : whether it was morning or evening, the people were obliged to be at a distance, whilst that was burning; the Jewish canons confirm this f35 : in the time they burn the incense in the temple every day, [h lk yrwp , they separate all the people, from the temple, and from between the porch and the altar; there is not a man there, till he comes out that burns the incense.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-25 - The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, an were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they wer eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could no be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. Whil Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, ar acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the templ 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 brin an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who eve lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, receive an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are no 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 ar doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of man 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 woul be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was comin among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelie spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he ha objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God toward us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking an 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. Eve real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouth are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealing with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looke on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ παν 3956 A-NSN το 3588 T-NSN πληθος 4128 N-NSN του 3588 T-GSM λαου 2992 N-GSM ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S προσευχομενον 4336 5740 V-PNP-NSN εξω 1854 ADV τη 3588 T-DSF ωρα 5610 N-DSF του 3588 T-GSN θυμιαματος 2368 N-GSN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:10 {Were praying without} (en proseucomenon exw). Periphrastic imperfect indicative picturing the posture of the people while the clouds of incense rose on the inside of the sanctuary.
