What New Testament connections exist regarding purification and priesthood in Leviticus 16:23?

◄ NT links to purification, priesthood in Lev 16:23? ►

“Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, remove the linen garments he wore when he entered the Holy Place, and leave them there.”

• The high priest lays aside the special linen garments used for the Day of Atonement.

• He does this inside the Tent of Meeting, away from public view, underscoring the holiness of the moment.

• The action signals the completion of the atoning sacrifice and begins a new stage of purification.

Old-Covenant Picture, New-Covenant Fulfillment

• Hebrews 7:26–27 – Jesus is “holy, innocent, undefiled,” and He offers Himself once for all, ending the need for repeated sacrifices.

• Hebrews 9:11–14 – Christ enters “the greater and more perfect tabernacle… by His own blood,” cleansing our consciences.

• Hebrews 10:11–14 – Earthly priests “stand,” but Jesus “sat down,” because His single offering perfected forever those being sanctified.

• John 20:6–7 – The grave cloths are left behind; like Aaron’s linen garments, discarded garments signify finished atonement.

Purification Imagery Carried Forward

• Titus 3:5 – “He saved us… by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

• Hebrews 10:22 – “Let us draw near… having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us… and our bodies washed with pure water.”

• Ephesians 5:25–27 – Christ cleanses His church “by the washing with water through the word.”

• 1 John 1:7 – “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Priestly Garments Exchanged for Resurrection Glory

• Philippians 2:6–9 – Christ lays aside divine privileges, takes on human form, then is exalted.

• Revelation 1:13–16 – The risen Lord appears in priestly yet kingly attire, clothed in glory forever.

• The discarded linen points to Jesus leaving behind mortality; His resurrection robes never need removal.

Shared Priesthood for Believers Today

• 1 Peter 2:5, 9 – “A holy priesthood… a royal priesthood,” called to offer spiritual sacrifices.

• Revelation 1:5–6 – He “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.”

Practical takeaways:

– Live in continual cleansing by confessing sin (1 John 1:9).

– Serve others from a place of completed atonement, not self-effort.

– Wear the “new self” (Ephesians 4:24), leaving the old garments behind just as Aaron did.

Key Connections Summarized

• Leviticus 16:23’s garment removal prefigures Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and resurrection.

• New-Testament writers present Jesus as both Priest and Purifier, fulfilling and surpassing Aaron’s role.

• Believers now walk in that finished work, cleansed and clothed to serve as a priestly people.