Were praying without (ην προσευχομενον εξω). Periphrastic imperfect indicative picturing the posture of the people while the cloud…

The whole multitude.—Knowing as we do from this Gospel, what hopes were cherished by devout hearts at this time, we may well belie…

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 the priest's …

The Venerable Bede: The Lord appointed through Moses one high priest, at whose death another was to succeed him in due order. T…

Mention of the worshipers outside not only heightens the suspense but prepares the reader for vv.21–22. They were probably pious Jews who loved to …

And the whole multitude of the people were praying without ,
&c.] In the court of the Israelites, whilst Zacharias w…

The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners, as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were distingui…