Luke 1:21 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. The people waited - The time spent in burning the incense was probably about half an hour, during which there was a profound silence, as the people stood without engaged in mental prayer. To this there is an allusion in Revelation 8:1-5. Zacharias had spent not only the time necessary for burning the incense, but also that which the discourse between him and the angel took up.