Luke 1:21

Waited. Literally, “were waiting,” that is, kept on waiting. Zacharias remained alone in the holy place longer than usual. Custom required that the priest offering incense at the morning and evening hours of prayer should not prolong his stay in the holy place, lest the people have occasion for anxiety. Furthermore, the people were not free to leave until the officiating priest came forth to pronounce the Aaronic benediction (see Num. 6:23-26). According to the Talmud, the offering of the incense at the golden altar was to be conducted with dispatch.