Luke 1:5

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, etc.] This was Herod, the son of Antipater, sometimes called Herod the Great, and is rightly here said to be the king of Judea; for, by deputation from the Roman emperor, he had the government of all Judea, which upon his death was divided among his sons. The phrase, “in the days of”, is an eastern way, of speaking; (see <011401>Genesis 14:1 <080101>Ruth 1:1 <091712>1 Samuel 17:12); and intends the time of his reign; in which there was a certain priest named Zacharias: a name famous among the Jews, for an high priest, who was slain by them the court of the temple, (<142420>2 Chronicles 24:20,21), and for one of the later prophets,…”

“ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FORERUNNER. (Luke 1:5-25) Herod--(See on Mat 2:1). course of Abia--or Abijah; the eighth of the twenty-four orders of courses into which David divided the priests (see Ch1 24:1, Ch1 24:4, Ch1 24:10). Of these courses only four returned after the captivity (Ezr 2:34-39), which were again subdivided into twenty-four--retaining the ancient name and order of each. They took the whole temple service for a week each. his wife was of the daughters of Aaron--The priests might marry into any tribe, but "it was most commendable of all to marry one of the priests' line" [LIGHTFOOT].”

“In the days of Herod - See the notes at Matthew 2:1. Of the course of Abia - When the priests became so numerous that they could not at once minister at the altar, David divided them into 24 classes or courses, each one of which officiated for a week, 1 Chronicles 24:0. The class or course (shift) of Abia was the “eighth” in order, 1 Chronicles 24:10. Compare 2 Chronicles 8:14. The word “course” means the same as “class,” or order. The Greek-based word “Abia” is the same as the Hebrew-based word “Abijah.” His wife was of the daughters of Aaron - A descendant of Aaron, the first high priest of the Jews; so that “John the Baptist” was descended, on the father’s and the mother’s side, from…”

“The course of Abia - The priests were divided into twenty - four courses, of which that of Abia was the eighth, Ch1 24:10. Each course ministered in its turn, for seven days, from Sabbath to Sabbath. And each priest of the course or set in waiting, had his part in the temple service assigned him by lot. Luke 1:6”

“1:5–2:52 Luke’s first two chapters give an account of Jesus’ birth and introduce key themes that will appear later in Luke–Acts. The announcements and birth stories for Jesus and John the Baptist run side by side, showing their parallel roles in bringing God’s salvation. At each point, Jesus is shown to be greater. John is the forerunner announcing Jesus’ coming; Jesus is the Savior. 1:5 Herod was king of Judea: See “Herod the Great” Profile. • a Jewish priest named Zechariah: The priests were descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother (Exod 28:1). • the priestly order of Abijah: See study note on Luke 1:8-9; see also 1 Chr 24:10. • Elizabeth was also from the priestly line of Aaron: It was…”

“Herod: Mat 2:1 of the course: Ch1 24:10, Ch1 24:19; Neh 12:4, Neh 12:17, Abijah Luke 1:6”