“Now at the hour
Of the incense offering
The whole assembly
Of the people
Was praying outside.”
καὶ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος ἦν τοῦ λαοῦ προσευχόμενον ἔξω τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ θυμιάματος.
Luke said that at the hour or time of the incense offering (τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ θυμιάματος), the whole assembly or the multitude of the people (αὶ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος ἦν τοῦ λαοῦ) was praying outside (προσευχόμενον ἔξω). This time or hour of the incense offering was also known as the hour of prayer. Twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon, one of the chosen priests went to the incense altar in front of the holy of holies. The rest of the assembly stayed outside praying. Thus, there was a break between the people and the priests outside and the one chosen priest offering the incense in the inner sanctuary. However, both were engaged in daily prayer.