Bible Study Notes
Leviticus 16:1–17 (Part I)
Title: The Way Into God’s Presence
Theme: Holiness, mediation, and fulfilled access in Christ
Primary Text: Leviticus 16:1–17
Versions Used: NKJV (primary), ESV (supporting)
Background Reminder
Leviticus 16 establishes God’s authorized way to approach Him after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. The chapter answers one question:
How can sinful people dwell with a holy God?
The New Testament reveals that this chapter was always forward-looking.
Verse-by-Verse with New Testament Connections
Leviticus 16:1–2 — Restricted Access
NKJV:
“Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil… lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.”
Meaning:
God controls access to His presence. Holiness is dangerous without covering.
New Testament Connection:
Hebrews 9:7 (NKJV)
“But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Access was restricted then—but opened through Jesus.
Matthew 27:51 (NKJV)
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
Leviticus 16:3–5 — God’s Required Approach
NKJV:
“Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull… two kids of the goats as a sin offering…”
Meaning:
God does not accept sincerity alone—He requires obedient sacrifice.
New Testament Connection:
Hebrews 8:5 (NKJV)
“Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
These sacrifices were shadows, pointing to the substance—Jesus.
Leviticus 16:6 — Atonement for the Priest
NKJV:
“Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering… and make atonement for himself and for his house.”
Meaning:
The mediator is also sinful and needs cleansing.
New Testament Connection:
Hebrews 5:3 (NKJV)
“Because of this he is required… to offer sacrifices for sins, both for himself and for the people.”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus is different.
Hebrews 7:26–27 (NKJV)
“Such a High Priest was fitting for us… who does not need daily… to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins…”
Leviticus 16:7–10 — The Two Goats
NKJV:
“One lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.”
Meaning:
-
One goat dies
-
One goat carries sin away
New Testament Connection:
John 1:29 (NKJV)
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus fulfills both goats—He dies for sin and removes it completely.
Leviticus 16:11–12 — Blood and Incense
NKJV:
“He shall take a censer full of burning coals… that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat…”
Meaning:
The priest cannot face God directly—incense shields him.
New Testament Connection:
Revelation 8:3–4 (NKJV)
“The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus is our intercessor, not a temporary shield.
Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)
“He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Leviticus 16:13–14 — Blood on the Mercy Seat
NKJV:
“He shall sprinkle some of the blood… on the mercy seat eastward.”
Meaning:
Blood satisfies justice and invites mercy.
New Testament Connection:
Romans 3:25 (NKJV)
“Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus Himself is the true mercy seat.
Leviticus 16:15 — Atonement for the People
NKJV:
“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people…”
Meaning:
Sin requires substitution. Innocence dies so guilt may live.
New Testament Connection:
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus becomes the final sin offering.
Leviticus 16:16 — Cleansing God’s Dwelling
NKJV:
“So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel…”
Meaning:
Sin contaminates everything—even sacred spaces.
New Testament Connection:
Hebrews 9:23–24 (NKJV)
“It was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus cleanses not an earthly tabernacle—but heaven itself.
Leviticus 16:17 — Atonement Accomplished Alone
NKJV:
“No man shall be in the tabernacle… until he comes out.”
Meaning:
Atonement is not a group effort. The priest works alone.
New Testament Connection:
Isaiah 63:3 (NKJV)
“I have trodden the winepress alone…”
Fulfillment in Christ:
Jesus alone bore the cross.
John 19:30 (NKJV)
“It is finished.”
Core Truth of Part I
What was restricted, repeated, and temporary in Leviticus
becomes open, complete, and eternal in Christ.
Teaching Summary
| Leviticus | Shadow | Christ |
|---|---|---|
| High Priest | Temporary mediator | Eternal mediator |
| Animal blood | Covered sin | Removed sin |
| Veil | Separation | Access |
| Mercy seat | Symbol | Person (Jesus) |
Closing Reflection
Leviticus 16 does not compete with the Gospel—it explains it.
The cross only makes sense once we understand the mercy seat.
