Luke 1:11

And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And he saw an angel of the Lord in his place on the right side of the altar.
- Basic English Bible

And an angel of [the] Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the altar of incense.
- Darby Bible

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
- Webster's Bible

Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense;
- Weymouth Bible

An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
- World English Bible

And an aungel of the Lord apperide to hym, and stood on the riythalf of the auter of encense.
- Wycliffe Bible

And there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of the perfume,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for Luke 1:11

1:10 The people were praying without, at the time of the incense - So the pious Jews constantly did. And this was the foundation of that elegant figure, by which prayer is in Scripture so often compared to incense. Perhaps one reason of ordaining incense might be, to intimate the acceptableness of the prayer that accompanied it; as well as to remind the worshippers of that sacrifice of a sweet - smelling savour, which was once to be offered to God for them, and of that incense, which is continually offered with the prayers of the saints, upon the golden altar that is before the throne, #Rev 8:3|,4.

1:12 Zacharias was troubled - Although he was accustomed to converse with God, yet we see he was thrown into a great consternation, at the appearance of his angelical messenger, nature not being able to sustain the sight. Is it not then an instance of the goodness is well as of the wisdom of God, that the services, which these heavenly spirits render us, are generally invisible?

1:13 Thy prayer is heard - Let us observe with pleasure, that the prayers of pious worshippers come up with acceptance before God; to whom no costly perfume is so sweet, as the fragrancy of an upright heart. An answer of peace was here returned, when the case seemed to be most helpless. Let us wait patiently for the Lord, and leave to his own wisdom the time and manner wherein he will appear for us. Thou shalt call his name John - John signifies the grace or favour of Jehovah. A name well suiting the person, who was afterward so highly in favour with God, and endued with abundance of grace; and who opened a way to the most glorious dispensation of grace in the Messiah's kingdom. And so Zacharias's former prayers for a child, and the prayer which he, as the representative of the people, was probably offering at this very time, for the appearing of the Messiah, were remarkably answered in the birth of his forerunner.