King James Bible
"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense."
Zechariah encounters a divine messenger while performing his priestly duties, marking a dramatic break in 400 years of prophetic silence since Malachi. The phrase emphasizes the supernatural nature of this visitation, as angels in Luke typically herald pivotal moments in salvation history. The angel's position at the right side—traditionally the place of honor and blessing—signals a favorable message rather than judgment. The altar of incense, where prayers ascended to God twice daily, becomes the meeting point between heaven and earth, suggesting Zechariah's prayers are about to be answered.