The NT points to the fulfilment of the OT priesthood in Jesus Christ, and develops the idea that all Christian believers can be seen as priests. It also records the continuing role of priests in the life of Israel and pagan nations at this time.
Pagan priests
The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds.
Jewish priests
The chief priests
From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
The Sadducees
Acts 5:17 The Sadducees were a conservative party composed entirely of priests who were influential in the Sanhedrin.
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out
Zechariah
Luke 1:5 See also 1 Chronicles 24:10
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.
Emissaries to John the Baptist
John 1:19 Levites were closely associated with priests as temple personnel, perhaps mentioned here because of their teaching function. See also 2 Chronicles 35:3; Nehemiah 8:7–9; Luke 10:31–32
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Jesus Christ as high priest
Hebrews 8:1–2 See also Hebrews 4:14–16
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
Christians as priests
Revelation 1:5–6 See also 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10, Revelation 20:6
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father — to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.