Biblical Context: Priest

During the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, who belonged to the division of Abijah. He had a wife from Aaron’s daughters, whose name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in God’s sight, walking blamelessly in all the Lord’s commandments and regulations.

— The Story of Jesus 2.1 

[adapted from Lk 1:5-6]

A priest is a mediator between God and man. More specifically, Jewish priests were the official ministers of Israel and descendants of Moses’ brother Aaron, from the tribe of Levi. Aaron was ordained as Israel’s first High Priest as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan, and his family subsequently became the official priestly line. The Greek term archiereus (“first priest”) referred to the current or past priest who governed all the other priests as the religious head of Israel. This position is often translated “High Priest” or “Chief Priest.”

A priest was to be set apart for service in all things, from appearance (no physical defects) to family life (wife must be a virgin from Israel). The High Priest’s purification process involved a week-long ceremony of bathing, dressing in specially made priestly clothes, and being anointed with oil. A priest’s duties included burning incense, tending to ceremonial lamps, ensuring offerings were properly prepared, teaching the Law, and judging court cases. But most importantly, the High Priest would enter the innermost room of the Temple, the Holy of Holies, once each year and offer sacrifices for himself and the people.

The role of priests diminished somewhat over time as they were overshadowed by other religious groups, such as scribes and Pharisees. As well, the role of High Priest was no longer hereditary under Roman rule, but could be appointed or deposed as the current ruler desired.

[Aaron and his sons] will be anointed for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

– Exodus 40:15 

But Jesus kept quiet and didn’t answer. So the High Priest asks him again, “I command you by the living God to tell us: are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed God?”

“You’ve said it,” Jesus answers. “I am. And I tell you that after this you’ll see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, coming in the clouds of heaven.”

Tearing his robes, the High Priest says, “He has blasphemed! What more do we need witnesses for? Look, you’ve heard the blasphemy.”

— The Story of Jesus 33.2 

[adapted from Mt 26:63-65; Mk 14:61-64]

Tearing one’s clothes was a sign of anguish in the Bible. Jacob tore his clothes when he was told his son Joseph had been killed (Genesis 37:34). David tore his clothes upon hearing of the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan, David’s best friend (2 Samuel 1:11). Judah’s king Josiah did the same as he listened to the Law and realized the people were living in sin (2 Kings 22:11). However, the High Priest wore special robes to identify his position while he was serving. These garments were considered holy. Deliberately tearing priestly robes violated Moses’ Law. 

The priest that is highest among his brothers… will not tear his clothes. 

– Leviticus 21:10 

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