Leviticus Chapter 16

Leviticus 16 — “Once a Year, Once for All: The Day of Atonement and the Cross of Christ”

Leviticus 1–15 taught sacrifice, priesthood, and cleansing.
Leviticus 16 gathers all of it into one sacred day.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

Sin separates man from God, and only God Himself can provide the way back — a mystery fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ, who enters heaven with His own blood.

1. The Context: Death in the Sanctuary

“The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron…” (Lev 16:1)

This rite follows the judgment of Nadab and Abihu.

St Augustine writes:

“God teaches mercy only after teaching fear.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Access to God is dangerous
unless God Himself opens the way.

Christ opens what Adam closed.

2. Only One Day, Only One Priest

“Aaron shall come into the Holy Place…” (v. 3)

Only:

• once a year
• one man
• with blood

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Few may enter because sin is great.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ enters once for all
into heaven itself:

“He entered once for all into the holy place.” (Heb 9:12)

3. The High Priest Washes

“He shall bathe his body in water…” (v. 4)

Before entering,
he must be clean.

St Ambrose writes:

“He washes to teach that none enters God’s presence in defilement.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ has no sin,
yet He is baptized
to take our place.

Purity precedes access.

4. Linen Garments, Not Glory

(v. 4)

The high priest lays aside
his glorious robes
and wears simple linen.

St Jerome comments:

“He enters humbly where God dwells.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ lays aside glory
and takes flesh.

The Incarnation is priestly humility.

5. A Bull for the Priest

(v. 6)

First, atonement for himself.

St Augustine writes:

“He who prays for others must first pray for himself.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Old priests need sacrifice.
Christ needs none.

This shows the weakness of the old priesthood
and the perfection of the new.

6. Two Goats

“He shall take two male goats…” (v. 7)

One ritual,
two outcomes.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“One dies; one is sent away.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Two aspects of Christ’s work:

• death for sin
• removal of sin

Cross and forgiveness
are one act.

7. Casting Lots

(v. 8)

One goat for the LORD.
One for Azazel.

St Jerome comments:

“God alone chooses the victim.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ is chosen by the Father,
not by chance.

Salvation is divine purpose,
not accident.

8. The Goat for the LORD

(vv. 9, 15)

This goat is killed
and its blood brought inside the veil.

St Augustine teaches:

“Blood alone passes the barrier.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ enters heaven
by His own blood.

The veil is crossed
by sacrifice.

9. Blood on the Mercy Seat

(v. 14)

The blood is sprinkled
on and before the mercy seat.

St Ambrose writes:

“Justice is covered by mercy.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

The Cross stands
between wrath and man.

Mercy is enthroned
in blood.

10. Cleansing the Sanctuary

(vv. 16–19)

Even the holy place
needs cleansing.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Sin stains even what is holy.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Creation itself
needs redemption.

Christ reconciles
heaven and earth.

11. No One in the Tent

(v. 17)

The priest goes in alone.

St Augustine writes:

“He enters where none can follow.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ suffers alone.

No disciple
can share His atonement.

12. The Live Goat: Confession of Sins

(vv. 20–21)

Aaron lays hands
and confesses all sins
over the goat.

St Jerome comments:

“Sin is transferred by confession.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Our sins are laid on Christ.

“He bore our sins in His body.”

13. The Goat Sent into the Wilderness

(v. 21)

The goat is driven away
to a desolate land.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Sin is carried where God is not.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ bears sin
outside the camp.

Sin is expelled
from the people.

14. Washing After the Goat

(vv. 23–24)

Those who handle the goat
must wash.

St Augustine writes:

“Even ministers need cleansing.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

The Cross cleanses
even those who serve it.

All stand in need of grace.

15. Burning Outside the Camp

(v. 27)

The remains are burned
outside the camp.

St Ambrose writes:

“What bore sin must not remain among the holy.”
(On Repentance)

Typology:

Christ dies
outside Jerusalem.

Exile becomes redemption.

16. A Statute Forever

(v. 29)

This is commanded
for all generations.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Memory of sin prepares for mercy.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

The Church remembers the Cross
in every Eucharist.

Once for all,
yet always remembered.

17. Fasting and Affliction

(v. 29)

The people must fast
and humble themselves.

St Augustine writes:

“Pride closes what humility opens.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Repentance joins the sacrifice.

Grace does not abolish contrition.

18. Rest for the People

(v. 31)

“It is a Sabbath of solemn rest…”

St Jerome comments:

“Forgiveness brings rest.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ says:

“Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”

The soul rests
when sin is gone.

19. The Meaning of the Day of Atonement

This day teaches:

• sin separates
• blood restores
• confession transfers guilt
• exile removes sin
• mercy covers judgment
• rest follows forgiveness

It proclaims:

God Himself provides
the sacrifice.

20. Christ and the Day of Atonement

Christ fulfills Leviticus 16 as:

• the High Priest
• the Sacrifice
• the Blood in the sanctuary
• the Goat that dies
• the Goat that carries sin
• the One who enters heaven
• the Mercy Seat
• the Forgiver of guilt

“He entered once for all… by His own blood.” (Heb 9:12)

Two goats become one Christ.

21. The Church and Atonement

In Christ, the Church becomes:

• a forgiven people
• a confessing people
• a humbled people
• a resting people
• a purified temple

Atonement becomes sacramental
in Baptism and Eucharist.

Spiritual Application

Confess sins honestly.

Humble yourself before God.

Trust the blood of Christ.

Let sin be carried away.

Enter God’s rest.

Live reconciled.

Christ in Leviticus 16

Jesus is:

• the Eternal High Priest
• the Blood of Atonement
• the Mercy Seat
• the Bearer of Sin
• the Cleanser of Heaven and Earth
• the Giver of Rest
• the End of Exile

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true High Priest and perfect Sacrifice,
You entered not an earthly tent
but heaven itself
with Your own blood
to make atonement for the sins of the world.

Lay our sins upon Yourself
and carry them far away.
Cover us with the blood of mercy.
Cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts.
Give us rest from guilt and fear.
Teach us to humble ourselves before You
and to live as a forgiven people.

Bring us from exile into Your presence,
from sin into holiness,
from fear into peace,
until the day when atonement gives way to vision
and we see You
our Priest and our God
for ever and ever.

Amen.