Lev. 16 details the various sacrifices and ceremony to be carried out on the Day of Atonement under the Levitical Law. Throughout, it is a study in both contrasts and comparisons between Aaron (and all the successive High Priests from his lineage) – And Christ Jesus our “Great High Priest.” It is a study in the glorious work of Christ at Calvary. Here are at least some of the Contrasts and Comparisons to consider.

1. (2) Contrast: Aaron could not enter the holy place “at any time”./ Jesus both went in & remains – Heb. 9:6-12

2. (3) Contrast: Aaron had animal sacrifices./ Jesus had only His own blood – Heb. 9:12

3. (4) Comparison: Aaron was dressed in the linen garments, plain – not the High Priestly “gorgeous garments” of Exodus 28:2 (glory & beauty). / The soldiers at the Cross cast lots for Jesus’ seamless garment – probably a linen garment: John 19:23-24 (Flax linen was common).

4. (4) Comparison: Aaron was to bathe first./ Jesus is baptized in the Jordan – Matt. 3;13

5. (5) Contrast: Aaron receives the two goats FROM the congregation. / Jesus receive nothing from the “congregation” but supplies all in Himself. Heb. 9:12

6. (3 & 5) Contrast: Aaron has TWO rams as burnt offerings. / Jesus has no burnt offering. He is not to see corruption. Offered but not consumed. Ps. 16:10.

7. (6) Contrast: Aaron must offer up a sacrifice for his OWN sins first. / Jesus has no need to offer anything for Himself. Heb. 9:6-7 / Hebrews 7:26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

8. (6-10) Comparison: Aaron has one goat whose blood is shed and sprinkled on the mercy seat, and the other sent away with the confessed sins of the people. / Jesus carries out both pictures in Himself. Rom. 3:21-25 / John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

9. (11-13) Contrast: Aaron must burn incense to obscure God’s presence that he may not die. / Jesus enters right into God’s presence as the radiance of God’s own glory. Heb. 1:3-4

10. (11-13) Comparison: Aaron offers up incense which is used as a type of prayer in Rev. 8:3-5. /  Jesus offers up His High Priestly prayer in John 17.

11. (15-16) Contrast: Aaron’s service was to cleanse only the types and shadows. / Jesus’ work was to actually cleanse the Heavenly things themselves – Heb. 9:23-24

12. (17) Comparison: Aaron had to perform this service alone. / Jesus had to perform this work alone – no one could assist Him. Heb. 1:3

13. (20-22) Contrast: Aaron confesses the sins of the people over the goat and sends it away. / Jesus allows the sins of the people to be imputed to Him – 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

14. (27-28) Comparison: The sin offerings must be finally consumed outside of the camp. In uncleanness. / Jesus was counted with the unclean, outside of the camp – Heb. 13:11-13

15. (29-34) Comparison: The Day of Atonement allowed the worshipers to bring their various offerings again for the coming year without fear of rejection. / Since Christ’s atonement, we can now draw near too.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Philippians 4:18 ¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.