Angel Standing on the Right Side of the Altar in Luke 1:11
The Angel Standing on the Right Side of the Altar in Luke 1:11
The Gospel of Luke describes Zechariah, a priest serving in the Temple, being visited by "an angel of the Lord" who "appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense" (Luke 1:11) [1]. This event occurs as Zechariah is performing his priestly duties, offering incense in the Temple.
The literary context of Luke 1:11 is the introduction to the Gospel of Luke, which begins with a narrative about the birth of John the Baptist. The appearance of the angel to Zechariah serves as a pivotal moment, announcing the forthcoming birth of John. The surrounding narrative describes Zechariah's righteousness and the significance of his priestly role [6].
The historical setting is crucial for understanding this passage. The event takes place in the Temple in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period, a time when priestly duties were being performed according to Jewish tradition. The altar of incense was a significant element within the Temple, associated with the priestly rituals [2].
The positioning of the angel on the "right side" of the altar is noteworthy. In biblical tradition, the right side is often associated with favor and blessing (Matthew 25:33). Commentators like Jamieson, Fausset & Brown suggest that the angel's position on the south side, between the altar and the candlestick, was considered the favorable side [3].
The identity of the angel is also a subject of interpretation. According to John Gill, the angel is likely Gabriel, the same angel who appeared to Daniel (Daniel 9:21) [2]. The appearance of an angel after a period of approximately 400 years without such divine intervention is seen as significant by Adam Clarke, highlighting the importance of this moment in preparing for the coming of the Messiah [5].
The significance of the angel's appearance and position has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian tradition. While some focus on the literal meaning of the text, others see symbolic or typological significance in the details provided [4].
The angel's position on the right side of the altar has been understood in the context of Jewish tradition and biblical symbolism. In Jewish tradition, the right side is associated with honor and precedence, as seen in the Babylonian Talmud's discussion of Jacob and the angel (Chullin 91a.16) [7].
The event described in Luke 1:11 marks a crucial moment in the narrative, signaling the beginning of a new era in God's interaction with humanity. As such, it has been the subject of extensive commentary and interpretation across various Christian traditions [2, 3, 5].
Sources
- Luke “An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. -- Luke 1:11”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1:11: And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord,.... Gabriel, as seem's manifest from Luk 1:19 the same angel that had appeared to Daniel, about the time of the evening oblation, near five hundred years before, and gave him an account of the time of the Messiah's coming, Dan 9:21. The Jews sometimes speak of divine and wonderful appearances to their priests, at such times, and in such places: "it is a tradition that R. Ishmael ben Elishah should say, one time I went in, , "to burn incense": and I saw Actariel (one of the names of God with them) the Lord, the Lord of ”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 1:11: right side--the south side, between the altar and the candlestick, Zacharias being on the north side, in front of the altar, while offering incense [WEBSTER and WILKINSON]. But why there? The right was the favorable side (Mat 25:33) [SCHOTTGEN and WESTEIN in MEYER]; compare Mar 16:5.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — TIME OF THE LORD'S RESURRECTION. (part 9): angels have been seen sitting each one separately,--namely, one outside upon the stone, according to Matthew, and another within upon the right side, according to Mark,--if Luke's report of the same bears that the two stood beside those women, although the words ascribed to them are similar? Well, it is still possible for us to suppose that one angel was seen by the women in the position assigned by Matthew, and in the circumstances indicated by Mark, as we have already explained. In this way, we may ”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 1:11: There appeared - an angel of the Lord - There had been neither prophecy nor angelic ministry vouchsafed to this people for about 400 years. But now, as the Sun of righteousness is about to arise upon them, the day-spring from on high visits them, that they may be prepared for that kingdom of God which was at hand. Every circumstance here is worthy of remark: 1. That an angel should now appear, as such a favor had not been granted for 400 years. 2. The person to whom this angel was sent - one of the priests. The sacerdotal office itself pointed out the Son of God till ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. X.--PROOFS OF THE FOREGOING, DRAWN FROM THE GOSPELS OF MARK AND LUKE. (part 1): 1. Luke also, the follower and disciple of the apostles, referring to Zacharias and Elisabeth, from whom, according to promise, John was born, says: "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."(13) And again, speaking of Zacharias: "And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Chullin 91a.16: Rav Shmuel bar Aḥa said before Rav Pappa in the name of Rava bar Ulla that the angel appeared to Jacob as a Torah scholar, and therefore Jacob positioned the angel on his right side, as the Master said: One who walks to the right of his teacher is an ignoramus, in that he does not know how to act with good manners. Consequently, it was Jacob’s right thigh that the angel touched.”