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.
1:11. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.