Luke 1:11

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right hand side of the altar of incense.

An angel of the Lord ... appeared ... Note that the angel did not approach; he just appeared, visibly manifested in an instant of time. The reality of the angelic creation is everywhere assumed and taught in the New Testament. Jesus himself frequently mentioned the angels of God; and those who believe in Jesus find in his holy words full authority for receiving all that the New Testament relates with regard to them. (For an essay on the subject of angels, see my Commentary on Hebrews, Hebrews 1:14).

The right hand side ... This was the north side of the altar; and the inclusion of such details indicates that Luke's research had extended far enough to discover such circumstantial knowledge as this. Scholars have been quick to point out that in this section the precise, elegant Greek preface (Luke 1:1-4) has been replaced by a style of language steeped in the traditions, religion, and psychological attitude of the Hebrews, a style which it would have been impossible for any man to improvise, showing how carefully Luke had researched these events. Some have tried to explain this by supposing "that St. Luke is here using a Hebrew document";[14] but such a supposition is sheer unadulterated imagination. As is also evident, later in the chapter, and with regard to Mary, "The psychological detail Luke gives indicates he may have INTERVIEWED Mary, as later passages will confirm."[15] Of course, the same is true here.

[14] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 737.

[15] Anthony Lee Ash, The Gospel according to Luke (Austin, Texas: Sweet Publishing Company, 1972), p. 36.