1:2. According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word:
1:3. It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4. That thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.
1:5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.
Of the course of Abia... that is, of the rank of Abia, which word in the Greek is commonly put for the employment of one day: but here for the functions of a whole week. For, by the appointment of David, 1 Par. 24., the descendants from Aaron were divided into twenty-four families, of which the eighth was Abia, from whom descended this Zachary, who at this time was in the week of his priestly functions.
1:6. And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame.
1:7. And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren: and they both were well advanced in years.
1:8. And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,
1:9. According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.
1:10. And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.