King James Bible
"And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple."
The congregation gathered outside the temple's holy place, expecting the priest to emerge after offering incense—a duty that typically took only a few minutes. As Zacharias served his priestly rotation, the waiting crowd represents Israel's broader expectation for God's intervention. The unusual delay created wonder and likely concern, as extended time in the holy place could suggest divine judgment or death. This literary tension prepares readers for the extraordinary angelic encounter that has actually occurred, marking the beginning of God's redemptive action through John the Baptist.